The British government has granted Amazon permission to begin flying drones and start testing deliveries, in advance of the UK launch of its planned Amazon Prime Air service.

In a move that could further shake things up for Britain’s smaller local retailers, the US online retail giant has been cleared to fly drones further than the line of sight of an operator in UK airspace by the government and the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Amazon will be able to test sensors to see if drones crash into buildings or objects, as well as test how many drones one operator can fly without losing control.

The development sees the online retailer take a step closer to rolling out Amazon Prime Air across the UK. The new service will aim to deliver products to customers via drone within 30 minutes of ordering, requiring Amazon to stock products in warehouses near enough to homes and offices to reach customers in under half an hour.

While in reality only a limited set of products may be available for immediate delivery at any one time, with other items available via an overnight express service, Amazon Prime Air is expected to deter some customers from shopping with local retailers.

It is not the first of Amazon’s new services to be viewed by some as a threat to small suppliers and local retailers.

Serious concerns have been raised about Amazon Prime Now – the company’s superfast delivery service – about how it might impact local economies by drawing custom away from independent retailers.

Free for Amazon Prime members, “Now” offers same-day delivery within two hours. But, when introduced in Paris in June this year, mayor of the French capital Anne Hidalgo claimed that the service would “seriously destabilise the balance of Parisian businesses”.

Small business owners have complained about the barriers to entry Prime Now builds, including free and speedy delivery.

In London, however, small independent food retailers have welcomed AmazonFresh – Amazon’s new food delivery service – which sees the firm partner with 90 local food distributers, many of them small delivery companies, to deliver groceries to customers in the city.

“Working with Amazon means our brownies can get to hungry chocoholics in a matter of hours, signaling the end of overbaked, homemade, cakey brownies at dinner parties,” said London-based Bad Brownie co-founder Paz Sarmah.

Amazon has until now been hampered by governments and regulators that have placed limits on how the company can operate drones, including the requisite that a drone must remain within the line of sight of an operator.  It is hoped testing will help identify the rules and regulations needed to move the drone industry forward.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the CAA said: “These tests by Amazon will help inform our policy and future approach as they explore the potential for safe use of drones.”

Gloucester City Council is holding an event to showcase the proposals for the future of Kings Quarter, Gloucester. Members of the public are invited to an event on Friday 29th July and Saturday 30th July at Unit 11 of Grosvenor House. On Friday, people can drop into anytime between 10am – 7pm and on Saturday the doors will be open between 9am – 1pm. The purpose of the drop in events is for members of the public to view the proposals for the future of Kings Quarter, and give their views. Officer will be on hand to answer any questions that people may have. Kings Quarter is the space opposite the new bus station. Proposals for it include a new indoor market, a hotel, a replacement car park, retail and residential space and community space. Anyone who is unable to attend this event can visit http://www.gloucester.gov.uk to view the plans and have their say using the online feedback form. Alternatively, a second consultation event will take place in the same venue on the 9th and 10th of September. Cllr Paul James, cabinet member for regeneration and leader of Gloucester City Council, said: “It’s really important that we hear the thoughts of local people on the regeneration of Kings Quarter. After all, Gloucester is the city that they’ve chosen to live in so we want to make sure it reflects the vision they have for it too. “Regenerating Gloucester is a project that is very close to my heart, and we need to hear the opinions of local people, so I really encourage people to come along to the event or go online.”

21^st July 2016

Gloucester City Council cabinet round-up

Following agreement from the city council’s cabinet last night, a crack down will begin to tackle begging, street drinking, rough sleeping and so-called ‘legal highs’.

Yesterday evening, the council’s cabinet agreed to adopt a ‘Safe and Attractive Streets’ policy for the city.

The policy sets out how the council will take a three-pronged approach to tackle street nuisance – engage, support, enforce – to target persistent offenders and work with identified individuals.

Where support isn’t successful, the council will now look to enforce against persistent issues through civil litigation which is legally binding.

Cllr Jennie Dallimore, cabinet member for communities and neighbourhoods said, “We know that some residents, businesses and shoppers have been concerned about begging and rough sleeping in the city centre. The council will always provide support for anyone with genuine need, but we will be taking action against antisocial behaviour and anyone who uses people’s generosity and begs for money when they already have a home and receive financial support.”

The council also agreed plans for a new awareness campaign to raise better understanding of the support available for rough sleepers.

Other key decisions that were approved in last night’s cabinet included:

Improvements to housing conditions in the private rented sector:

A presentation was given by Cllr Kate Haigh, member of Overview and Scrutiny Committee, highlighting the findings and recommendations of the ‘task and finish group’ on actions to improve housing conditions in the private rented sector.

Work will continue until April 2017 to improve the worst privately rented accommodation in houses with multiple occupancy. Funding will also continue to employ an officer to make sure these improvements carry on into the future.

The council awaits the outcome of the recent government consultation to extend mandatory licencing for houses with multiple occupancy, before it takes any further steps to introduce a discretionary licensing scheme.

City Centre Investment Fund allocations:

It was agreed to reallocate funds to maximise the benefits of the City Centre Investment Fund. The Kings Walk Bastion will receive £20,000 to open it up as a tourist attraction. The city’s cultural strategy will receive a £30,000 boost. A figure of £20,000 will be set aside to carry out surveys to help support the planned Business Improvement District and Kings Quarter Regeneration Project. A city centre public realm master plan will be developed with £30,000. The targeted historic grants scheme of £40,000 will include £3000 towards the refurbishment of building plaques and to help the council secure a financial return where appropriate, £50,000 will be allocated for the development of a new policy.

ENDS

Issued by: Sarah Black, Gloucestershire County Council Media Team, 01452 426887,