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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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Local Bike Shop Day 2020 new date confirmed as Saturday 5th September

Posted on in Business News, Cycles News

 
The first 6 months of 2020 have so far seen the cycling industry get shaken up like never before. Initially the announcement of a nation-wide lockdown invoked worry upon the industry: it was uncertain as to whether bicycle shops would fall into the ‘essential retailers' category announced by the Prime Minister on the 23rd March. However, since then the lockdown has proven just how ‘essential' bicycle retailers are.
 
For the first time in decades the supply of bicycles is struggling to match the ever-increasing consumer demand. Urgent pleas have been made for bike builders, retail finance has reached record-breaking highs in the industry and ‘once in a generation' government investment has been pledged, all of which has contributed to what has now been named as the cycling industry ‘boom'.
 
Given the success that 2020 has seen thus-far for the cycling industry, the ACT believes that it is pivotal to keep the momentum rolling and continue to encourage as many people as possible to get on their bikes. Local Bike Shop Day is the ideal way to make this happen.

 

Local Bike Shop Day 2020 participating retailers poll

A poll among participating retailers of Local Bike Shop Day has confirmed a new date to celebrate bike shops across the nation.

Following the recent possible postponement survey that took place in March there was an overwhelming vote (94%) in favour of deferring the day to a later date than the originally planned 2nd May. The two most popular postponement months among participating retailers proved to be September (43% of votes) and October (16% of votes).

Participating retailers were then asked their opinion as to what specific date in September or October would be most preferable for them as a cycling retailer and key member of the industry.

Feedback that the ACT have attained from retailers over previous years has proved Saturday to be a popular day for the event to occur, as it enables more customers to be able to get out and visit their local bike shops. With this in mind, retailers partaking in the Local Bike Shop Day 2020 New Date survey were given 9 dates to choose from- each Saturday in September and October.

The most popular date chosen was Saturday 5th September, with 30% of the total vote. Reasons behind retailers favouring this date over others included it being the start of the new school term, normality being likely to have restored by then and the weather generally still being pleasant in September.

The second most popular dates were Saturday 26th September and Saturday 12th September, each receiving 22% of votes. As Local Bike Shop Day is a day for the trade, the majority voted for date is the one that will be going ahead.
With this in mind, it is hard to predict the state in which retail will be operating by September 2020 due to the ongoing situation with COVID-19. If in the case that we are forced to cancel this year's Local Bike Shop Day, we may then have to wait until 2021 for another viable date. In the meantime we will be going ahead with new date with every intention of making it a success.

 

Local Bike Shop Day 2020 to be ‘bigger and better than ever'

Following this current cycling-industry-high, all signs are pointing towards this year being highly successful for cycling retailers across the country. However, the ACT want to ensure that much of this success is reflected directly in the footfall and profits of the IBD, something that can be very much encouraged on the 5th September.

This new date ties in perfectly with kids returning to school, giving parents the perfect incentive to equip their children with a set of wheels for the school year. Child cycling has long-since been a lost sector to the IBD, but with the help of Local Bike Shop Day uniting bike shops, suppliers and customers alike we can motivate a return of shopping for children's bikes at local bike shops.

The ACT have worked hard over the last few years to make Local Bike Shop Day a success for bike shops across the country. This has included implementing campaigns, investing in promotional materials and partnering with a number of supporting organisations, all of which has been done to benefit IBDs and spread the word of this day to as many customers and potential customers as possible.

We are now committed towards making the new Local Bike Shop Day 2020 date of Saturday 5th September bigger and better than ever! Retailers are still able to sign up for the postponed date on the Local Bike Shop Day website here.

 

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