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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…

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.
Read more…

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…

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Updated guidance on Strong Customer Authentication (SCA)

Posted on in Business News, Cycles News

UK Finance have announced that from 1 June 2021 you must be ready to support Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) if your business accepts online card payments.

If your online checkout for card payments does not meet the new legal requirements for SCA, customers may not be able to buy from you.

Strong Customer Authentication is the way your bank or payment services provider verifies your identity or validates a specific payment instruction is changing. These changes are designed to reduce the risk of a fraudster pretending to be you to steal your money. Your customers' checkout experience will be different, they will be required to complete an extra security step to complete the purchase. 

 

What do I need to do now to minimise business disruption?

  1. Contact the organisation responsible for processing your online card payments for help getting ready
  2. Familiarise yourself with SCA and understand the impact on your customers' checkout experience
  3. Update and test your checkout processes well in advance of 1 June 2021 to minimise your customers' online card payments from being declined

The benefits of SCA:

✓ Reduced fraudulent transactions - reducing your losses
✓ Improved customer satisfaction - confidence and loyalty
✓ Shift in liability - from you to your customer's card provider
 

What could happen if I'm not ready?

X Loss of online sales - customers abandoning or being declined at checkout
X Loss of customers - to more secure competitors
X Reduced customer satisfaction - due to increased friction and payments being declined 
 
 

Finding the best card processing service for you

The ACT and ActSmart have partnered with two card processing partners to ensure the we can provide the best solution for all business.
 
We recommend Global Payments for established businesses with medium to high card turnover and Paya Card Services for new and smaller businesses with lower card volumes.
 
To find out more about which service is best for your business please visit the ActSmart site here or ACT site here.

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