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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…

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…

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Live stream shopping for YouTube tests for launch

Posted on in Business News, Cycles News

Social media is a busy world, and the past week has been no different. Maybe* have pulled together some of the top, recent headlines. Read on to discover the Olympiad emojis and live stream shopping on YouTube, and say goodbye to Twitter Fleets.

Join in the conversation with us over in the Maybe* Facebook group to talk all things social!

Twitter reveals new hashtag emojis for 2020 Summer Games

With the 32nd Olympic games about to kick-off in Tokyo, Twitter has outlined how it's looking to help users take part in discussion around the event.

From Twitter: ‘Fans worldwide can use the official Olympics Twitter emoji throughout the Games. The emoji will unlock when you Tweet #Olympics and related hashtags in more than 30 languages. Twitter will also have emojis for each country competing, unlocked when you Tweet three-character country hashtags. Lastly, fans can cheer on the Refugee Olympic Team during the Games by Tweeting #EOR to unlock their team emoji.'

Instagram improves accessibility with language translations in Stories

From now on, when you see a Story with overlaid text in another language, you'll have the option to translate that text on-screen. According to Instagram, over 90 languages are currently supported through this functionality - though currently translations are only available for text, with no capacity for direct audio conversion.

Even without translated audio, this move from Instagram could still considerably improve accessibility - while for brands, it may also provide a means to branch into new markets, with promotions that can be easily translated by users within the app.

Twitter gets a ‘dislike' button, but it's not quite what you're thinking

It may sound like Twitter is planning to introduce a ‘dislike' feature on Tweets, however the platform is currently running a test to sense-check Tweets (on iOS only), offering users the option to up-or-down votes in replies. Up votes will be recorded as likes, however down votes won't be recorded anywhere on the Tweet itself at all, and will not be made public.

Twitter says "We're hoping to better understand what people believe are relevant replies, and how that matches up to what Twitter suggests as most the relevant replies under a Tweet."YouTube tests live stream shopping
Similar to TikTok's experiment with live-stream shopping, YouTube will soon begin a new test of in-stream shopping within its live-streams, using a small number of creators, as part of the ongoing expansion of its creator monetisation and eCommerce tools.

With a broader shift in shopping related content in other apps, the indication is that in time we will see user behaviours change, and the expectations of the platforms shift as a result.

 

Live stream shopping youtube

Farewell to Fleets
Fleets, Twitter's answer to the popular Stories feature on other apps, will be discontinued in August. According to Twitter, the platform is evolving and is trying ‘bigger, bolder things to serve the public conversation.'

So, goodbye to Fleets; a feature that turned out to be more fleeting than planned.

 

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ACT Gold members can benefit from 20% discount and Silver members benefit from 10% discount. Maybe* also hold monthly social media masterclasses on the first Wednesday of every month at 8pm.

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