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Local Bike Shop Week returns this May, with independent retailers reporting strong benefits from past events

19 Feb 2026

Local Bike Shop Week is approaching, with this year’s celebrations taking place from Sunday 3 May to Saturday 9 May 2026 - and retailers have highlighted the positive experiences they've... Read more…

Independent bike shops unite for inaugural Local Bike Shop Week celebration

17 Feb 2026

A week to celebrate and highlight the expertise and passion of independent bike shops across the UK is set to be held this May.
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ACT part of coalition letter calling for consultation on online VAT reform

16 Feb 2026

A 18-strong coalition of business organisations and tax experts, including the ACT and led-by its parent company Bira, has today written to the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury calling for a... Read more…

Government's pub-only business rates package is "poor decision based on politics", ACT parent company Bira says

29 Jan 2026

The government's decision to give pubs a 15% business rates discount while excluding independent retailers is a "poor decision based on politics rather than what is good for the local economy",... Read more…

Independent retailers demand equal treatment as Government prepares pub rates relief

9 Jan 2026

ACT parent company Bira has has demanded equal treatment for small shops after the government announced plans to water down business rate rises for pubs.
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Christmas and New Year message from ACT Director Jonathan Harrison

23 Dec 2025

An end of year message from Jonathan Harrison, Director of the ACT.
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Scottish Government urged to cut business rates for indie retailers

11 Dec 2025

ACT parent company Bira has called on the Scottish Government to follow Wales's example and introduce genuine business rates reductions for retail premises ahead of the Scottish Budget on 13... Read more…

Independent retailers to see rates bills soar by up to 15% despite government's "transformation" promises

2 Dec 2025

Independent retailers across the UK are facing business rates increases of up to 15% next year despite government promises of the "lowest tax rates since 1991", ACT parent company Bira has... Read more…

UK's E-Bike Positive campaign to be adopted by the BA & ACT

1 Dec 2025

As of Thursday 1st January 2026, the E-Bike Positive campaign will fall under the joint guardianship of the Bicycle Association (BA) and the Association of Cycle Traders (ACT).
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Cycle to work scheme escapes cap but ACT warns Budget fails cycle retailers on business rates and imports

26 Nov 2025

The ACT has welcomed the Government's decision not to impose a cap on the cycle to work scheme, calling it "common sense prevailing" after weeks of speculation threatened a vital sales tool for... Read more…

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Harness Instagram for your business

Posted on in Business News, Cycles News

instagramInstagram is a major part of any businesses online presence.

Instagram has become a more fundamental tool for small businesses over the last couple of years. For small businesses, social media is there to find and sell your niche.

For a small business, it is all about the unique brand that you offer. You can use Instagram to your advantage here by creating a personality for your unique brand and selling this personality.

The key to Instagram is all about building the right following for your business and this doesn't take a long time.

Here are four simple tips to help you get the most out of Instagram:

Tailor Instagram to suit your needs

Instagram is multipurpose, you need to figure out how Instagram can support your business and take advantage of what Instagram can do for you.

Clever photography

Instagram is the perfect platform to sell your niche.

Put your brand at the centre of your mind, what is your brand? Who is your market? What is your colour scheme? What is the message behind your brand?

These questions will help you to decide how you build your Instagram profile. One of the first things you should consider is your colour scheme and the personality of your business. If you decide that black and white is the right colour scheme for our platform then this needs to be consistent throughout all your photos. Instagram is more than just images, your profile is a canvas that you can mould to your business.

#Hashtags are your friend

Hashtags are a great way to get the key message out.

Create a bank of unique hashtags for your business.

Spark conversations and engage with other accounts

There is a level of distrust across any social media platforms because there is no direct contact or communication. You can change this by engaging with your users through Instagram stories, private messaging and in the comments of your posts.

Instagram is an incredibly interesting and key player in the social media game. Take your profile and create the canvas for your business.

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