{$inpagemarkup}

Search News

Results: 1-10 of 657


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.
Read more…

Economic growth surges to 0.7%, but "April reality check" looms for high street retailers

15 May 2025

UK economy delivers strongest quarterly performance in a year despite forecasts of business downturn.
Read more…

Communities come together for Local Bike Shop Day 2025 celebrations

13 May 2025

Local Bike Shop Day 2025 brought a wave of... Read more…

ACT parent company Bira welcomes Bank of England's latest interest rate cut

8 May 2025

ACT parent company Bira has welcomed the Bank of England's decision to reduce interest rates from 4.5% to 4.25%, calling it a "much-needed boost" for the retail sector, including for cycling... Read more…

ACT parent company Bira responds to Beales' "Rachel Reeves Closing Down Sale" as iconic store makes final protest

8 May 2025

ACT parent company Bira has responded to the news that the 144-year-old Beales department store is staging a "Rachel Reeves Closing Down Sale" in its final weeks of trading, with giant yellow... Read more…

Employment Rights Bill - ACT and Bira answer your questions

28 Apr 2025

The Labour Government’s new Employment Rights Bill is set to be in force this year and the new regulations will impact high street retailers up and down the country.
Read more…

ACT parent company Bira welcomes Chancellor's action on unfair trade practices

25 Apr 2025

ACT parent company Bira welcomes the Chancellor's announcement of plans to create a level playing field for British businesses against unfair international trade practices.
Read more…

Back to news menu

House of Commons thanks greeting card company Bexy Boo for community support

Posted on in Business News

AGCA member of the The Greeting Card Association (GCA), Bexy Boo, has received a letter of thanks from the House of Commons for all the work she has done to support her home town of Knutsford.

The GCA are a member of the Independent Retailers Confederation (IRC), a well-established organisation representing c.100,000 independent retailers throughout the UK. 

As the founder and creative maestro of card company Bexy Boo, Bex Hassett's focus is usually on creating lovely greeting cards that are posted to bring joy and support.

However recently, she was pleasantly surprised to receive a special piece of post, from a top address.
When Bex opened an envelope and spotted the House of Commons letterhead, she "honestly thought" that she "had done something wrong", but it was quite the opposite.

The letter was from Tatton MP Esther McVey thanking Bex for all the work she has done to support her home town of Knutsford.

In the first lockdown, Bex drew an illustration of people wrapping their arms around Knutsford High Street.

 

Esther McVey, MP from Tatton

Above: Esther McVey, MP from Tatton.

 

"The reaction was amazing with residents saying that they would like to purchase the artwork. So, in this last lockdown, I did the same and received the same incredible reaction," explains Bex.

Seeing it as an opportunity to support her local community, Bex collaborated with the town council and the local charity We are Knutsford to print and sell two drawings in a postcard format as well as A3 and A4 prints.

Bex’s illustrations champion supporting Knutsford retailers
Above: Bex's illustrations champion supporting Knutsford retailers.

All profits are being used to fund future town initiatives following the devastating effects of Covid to the High Street.

In the letter, Esther McVey congratulated Bex for her ‘brilliant illustrations'. She continued with her praise: ‘They are really great, and it's a good, practical way to support Knutsford. I know they will sell really well and they will help fund initiatives to drive people back to our town to ensure it stays vibrant and a good place to visit.'

 

Some of the local press coverage about the postcards and prints


Above: Some of the local press coverage about the postcards and prints.

The local press also picked up on the story, hailing the talents of their local community-spirited artist.

 

Back to news menu

Useful links

If you have any other queries please contact us.