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Independent retail crisis deepens as nearly half see sales plummet compared to last year

12 Aug 2025

Britain's high street crisis has deepened dramatically with nearly half of independent retailers, including many in the independent cycling retail sector, reporting sales have crashed compared... Read more…

Independent retailers slam £5.9bn "de minimis" import loophole as Government delays action

11 Aug 2025

ACT parent company Bira has condemned the Government's inaction over the "de minimis" import loophole following a Sky News investigation revealing £5.9 billion worth of cheap imports... Read more…

Criminals undermining legitimate retailers as trading standards collapse

7 Aug 2025

Bira has warned that criminals are undermining legitimate retailers as trading standards services collapse, following a new Which? investigation.
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ACT welcomes Government's new product safety laws

23 Jul 2025

A leading cycle traders association has backed the government's move to protect consumers from dangerous products sold through online marketplaces, following Royal Assent of the Product... Read more…

Small Business Strategy Inquiry 2025 - ACT and Bira call for members to share their voice

20 Jun 2025

The House of Commons Business and Trade Committee has asked the ACT, and its parent company Bira, to help them reach out to small business retailers across the country, for their quick input on... Read more…

Beyond the discount: Restoring integrity to the cycle supply chain

18 Jun 2025

The Association of Cycle Traders believes the time has come for greater accountability throughout our supply chain, writes ACT Director Jonathan Harrison in an article published for BikeBiz.
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Bira welcomes Wales' business rates proposals but calls for key improvements

11 Jun 2025

Bira has welcomed the Welsh Government's consultation on business rate reforms for retail shops, whilst calling for significant improvements to ensure the proposals truly support high street... Read more…

New awards launch to champion Britain's independent high street heroes

9 Jun 2025

Retailers on Britain's high streets are being encouraged to put themselves forward for the first-ever Love Your High Street Awards, designed to celebrate the small businesses that bring... Read more…

"Tectonic shift" in employment law threatens independent retailer viability, warns Bira podcast

6 Jun 2025

Independent retailers are facing a "generational" transformation of employment law that could fundamentally change how small businesses operate, according to the final episode of Bira's first... Read more…

Retailers hope warm weather and bank holidays will boost high street sales

16 May 2025

ACT parent company Bira has said that members are hopeful the warm weather, Easter weekend and upcoming bank holidays will provide a much-needed boost to high street sales.
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Creative and crafty independent shops shortlisted in competition!

Posted on in Business News, Creative News

There is not long to wait now with just over 2 weeks to go until the Best Small Shop in the UK for 2019 is announced at the reception in the House of Commons!

Over the last couple of weeks we have been introducing you to the fantastic shops that have been shortlisted and telling you about the wonderful ways in which they continuously help their communities and why they stood out to the judges.

This year we have two independent arts and crafts stores shortlisted into our final 25, with enough creativity between them to inspire the whole of the UK to get crafty!

The Orry Mill

The Orry Mill is an independent yarn shop that runs regular classes and workshops for crafters and showcases a modern take on the old crafts of knitting and crocheting.

The Orry Mill is set in Glasgow and owned by Thilde Folke Olsen and her husband Stephen McBride. Thilde came to Scotland to study at the Glasgow School of Art. As a child Thilde was brought up in Denmark immersed in knitting, crochet and crafting. When she finally settled in the village of Eaglesham she became fascinated by the history of the village. The name ‘The Orry Mill' refers to the open space in Eaglesham known as ‘The Orry' (Old Scots for 'area') in which there are the remains of a cotton mill.

 

Gemz By Emz

Based in Romford, Gemz By Emz does the arts and crafts for you, by specialising in home made personalised gifts, engraved with the photo, handwriting, text and even pregnancy scan of the customer's choice. It also creates stunning diamond dust glitter canvasses and personalised cushions. Not only have the shop's items been purchased and promoted by famous faces but they have also been featured on television and in magazines.

Gemz By Emz also features an online blog which allows you to not only learn about the buisness and it's array of offerings, but also gives you an insight into the designer and founder of Gemz by Emz, Emma.

 

For more information about The Orry Mill and Gemz By Emz you can visit their pages in the Indie Retail Shop directory. Keep up to date with the Best Small Shops competition by following our Twitter, Facebook and Instagram pages.

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