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Public vote opens for inaugural Local Bike Shop Awards

24 Apr 2026

Cycling enthusiasts across the UK are being invited to vote for their favourite independent bike shop as the first ever Local Bike Shop Awards enters its final stage.
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Local Bike Shop Week Awards: Meet the Judges

19 Apr 2026

From our many brilliant entries down to 8 finalists, the judging panel will be evaluating and championing independent bike shops up and down the country that make an impact in their... Read more…

Independent bike shops urged to enter inaugural awards as deadline approaches

16 Apr 2026

The ACT is urging independent bike shops to enter the first ever Local Bike Shop Awards before entries close on Sunday 19th April.
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First ever Local Bike Shop Week Awards launches to celebrate independent cycle retailers

1 Apr 2026

An awards scheme celebrating independent bike shops that go above and beyond for their communities launches this week.
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February retail sales dip signals growing consumer anxiety, warns ACT parent company Bira

30 Mar 2026

ACT parent company Bira has warned that falling retail sales in February are an early sign of consumers reining in their spending amid growing economic uncertainty.
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Bira calls for business rates reform and action on overseas imports alongside new government investment

26 Mar 2026

Bira has welcomed the government's £319 million investment in high street revitalisation, while warning that without reform of business rates and action on overseas imports, many high... Read more…

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…

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Eco-friendly shops shortlisted in Best Small Shops competition!

Posted on in Business News

There is now only 1 week 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.

These two shops stood out in particular due to their care for the environment and the ongoing sustainability of their shops. The Recycled Candle Company and The Naked Pantry New Forest go above and beyond to ensure their products are environmentally friendly while still maintaining excellent customer service!

The Recycled Candle Company 

The Recycled Candle Company, which moved into its new shop in Exeter in June this year, sells candles fragranced with its own bespoke scents created in collaboration with a UK-based French perfumier.

With the ever-increasing costs of commercial and non-commercial waste disposal, this shop collects scrap candle wax and takes it away to be recycled and given new life by melting it down, cleaning, dying, and scenting it.

The shop includes a space for candle-making workshops, guest classes or hot-desking, and customers who donate used candles receive a discount whilst the shop's loyalty card rewards returning customers. Last year the retailer initiated a Golden Ticket scheme with other local businesses; tickets were given to customers to use as payment against purchases in the run up to Christmas.

The Naked Pantry New Forest

At The Naked Pantry New Forest customers can bring their own containers to refill with all their kitchen pantry items, household cleaning products, personal care items, and toiletries.

The shop helps the local community reduce its waste by collecting several different waste streams for recycling by TerraCycle and donate all the proceeds to a local hospice. It is a collection point and event host for the local free school uniform swap organiser and has also signed up to be community leaders for becoming a plastic free town. The Naked Pantry is passionate about helping its community to become less dependent on plastic packaging and reducing food waste. 

For more information about The Recycled Candle Company and The Naked Pantry New Forest 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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