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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.
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.
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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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IRC creates Independent Retailers Rent Survey

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Although the high street has now been able to IRCreopen for a full month now, this does not mean the problems caused by the COVID-19 crisis are anywhere near over.

The Independent Retailers Confederation's (IRC) aim to assist high street shops in getting back up and running. This involves the creation of campaigns such as the 'We are open' shop map- a directory of UK shops and small businesses that are still open and operating responsibly during COVID-19, and the Best Small Shops competition- a competition championing indie retailers showing innovation throughout the pandemic. Indie Retail are also temporarily providing free job advertisement to all retailers. 

The IRC believe that when it comes to saving the high street we are all in this together and that the future of the high street is dependent upon all indies surviving. In the most recent efforts to help the high street all IRC members are promoting a questionnaire to gather information on the experiences independent shops have been having with landlords and rent payments.

Many businesses across the high street have been struggling to pay their rents due to the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown. To date, the only action the Government has taken on this issue is the introduction of a voluntary Code of Practice for commercial landlords and tenants many retailers do not believe goes far enough.

With that in mind, the IRC have created the Independent Retailers Rent Survey. The survey should take less than 5 minutes and will help inform our lobbying with Government, provide us with an idea of what is happening across the market and bring some much needed media attention to the plight of indie businesses across the high street. All results are confidential and will not be shared except on an anonymised and aggregated basis.

Complete the Independent Retailers Rent Survey now  

The deadline for the survey is Friday 31 July.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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