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Chancellor's High Street Roundtable | Campaign Update from ACT parent company Bira

19 Mar 2026

The Chancellor held a roundtable discussion on a future high street strategy last week, with Bira the sole voice representing smaller retail businesses. Read an update on Bira's place at a... Read more…

Independent bike shop takes stand against selling or repairing e-scooters with police echoing plea

18 Mar 2026

An independent bike shop is refusing to sell or repair e-scooters over concerns about how they are being used, with the area’s police force backing the call and urging others to follow... Read more…

ACT parent company Bira backs calls for online marketplace accountability over dangerous product safety failures

13 Mar 2026

Findings from consumer rights publication Which? add to calls from the E-Bike Positive campaign to better scrutinise these sites and promote quality e-bikes from reputable manufacturers and... Read more…

Independent retailers warn Spring Statement missed opportunity as geopolitical tensions threaten high street recovery

5 Mar 2026

ACT parent company Bira has warned that the Chanellor's Spring Statement offered no new support for high street businesses, as rising tensions in the Middle East threaten to push up energy... Read more…

Scottish bike shop and cafe expands into bigger premises as council recognises 'positive impact on economy'

3 Mar 2026

A Scottish bike repair shop and cafe has recently moved premises into a bigger unit thanks to a growth in business, with the local council noting the positive impact it would have on the local... Read more…

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.
Read more…

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.
Read more…

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Two bike shops in the running to be the Best Small Shop of 2019

Posted on in Business News

Best Small ShopsOver the next 4 weeks we will be introducing you to the fantastic shops that have been shortlisted for the Best Small Shops competition 2019. We will be mentioning a few at a time and telling you about the wonderful ways in which they continously help their communities and why they stood out to the judges.

This year two bike shops have been shortlisted, said to have stood out to the judges "for a range of reasons including the fantastic work they do for their communities and the levels they go to when engaging with current and potential customers". It is great for the cycling industry to be represented at events such as this one that champion independent retailers and help to promote the benefits of shopping indie.

"These shops stood out to the judges for a range of reasons including the fantastic work they do for their communities and the levels they go to when engaging with current and potential customers"- Indie Retail, 2019

We hope that the promotion of the two bicycle shops will help draw more attention to IBDs across the UK. Details of the two shops can be found below!

Arragons Cycle Centre

Located in Penrith, Cumbria, Arragons Cycle Centre offers cycle hire, a Shimano Service Centre offering emergency repairs, and specialist wheel build. It is a family run business, established for over 40 years but now with a brand new shop - one of the North's largest. Arragon's Cycle Centre were also shortlisted in the 2018 Best Small Shops competition and are once again being recognised as a true independent family shop that have remained at the heart of their community by supporting events and entertaining local clubs.

 

Rides On Air

Rides on Air in Wallingford has a new store with over 100 bikes and accessories in stock and covering all disciplines from children's bikes to adults including disabled cycles and the latest craze of eBikes. They regularly take part in community events that benefit local charities while promoting the benefits of shopping at IBDs.

The names and details of the other 23 shops that were shortlisted can be found on the Indie Retail news page.

For more information about the Best Small Shops competition please visit the Indie Retail website or visit their Twitter, Facebook and Instagram pages.

 

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