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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…

Independent retailers reject Black Friday as three-quarters refuse to participate

24 Nov 2025

More than three-quarters of independent retailers, including some of those in the cycling retail sector, are boycotting Black Friday this year, rejecting pressure... Read more…

Stop being a dumping ground for used e-bike batteries

11 Nov 2025

Used e-bike batteries are piling up because too many suppliers are failing to meet their legal obligations and it’s time to stop being polite about it, writes ACT Director Jonathan... Read more…

Independent retailers urge Chancellor - Boost business confidence or risk killing growth before it starts

7 Nov 2025

Britain's independent retailers, including those in the cycling retail sector, are calling on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to use the autumn budget to restore... Read more…

Independent retailers report worsening retail crime crisis as confidence in police response

17 Oct 2025

A shocking 83% of independent retailers say theft has worsened over the past year, whilst the vast majority of crimes now go unreported due to lack of police response, according to ACT parent... Read more…

ACT member gains coverage in local media thanks to focus on maintaining independent cycling retail presence

14 Oct 2025

ACT member Cyclo Monster has been recognised by local media for its commitment to keeping Derby’s cycling scene independent, community-focused and thriving.
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Experts share how to make your bike last longer – and why regular care pays off

10 Oct 2025

Cycling experts have shared their top tips in a new Guardian feature revealing how simple maintenance habits can extend the life of a bike and save riders from costly repairs.
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Help to Grow Scheme due to launch in October - register your interest now

Posted on in Business News, Cycles News

BEISSalisbury high street have reached out to IRC orgs, including the ACT, to seek help getting the message across to SMEs to register interest in the scheme.

Help to Grow: Digital is a new UK-wide scheme to help up to 100,000 UK SMEs over three years to adopt digital technologies that are proven to increase firm-level productivity.   ​​

The Chancellor announced Help to Grow: Digital at Budget 2021 on 3 March and the scheme will be launched in autumn 2021. ​​

Help to Grow: Digital will offer free impartial advice and guidance via an online platform to help SMEs identify their digital technology needs, assess technology purchasing options and implement new technologies in their operations.​​

Help to Grow: Digital will also offer SMEs a voucher covering up to half of the costs of preapproved, new-to-firm digital technology solutions up to a maximum of £5,000. ​​

The voucher will be available to UK businesses with between 5 and 249 employees that have been trading for more than 12 months. ​​

The voucher will initially provide financial discounts to SMEs for digital customer relationship management, accountancy and e-commerce solutions.​​

 

Vision for Help to Grow: Digital

Tackling part of UK productivity gap by driving successful SME take up of productivity enhancing software

Creating opportunities for SMEs that have already adopted technology during Covid 19 to go further in their digital journey

Providing a slick customer experience that brings a fragmented technology market into one place

Improving the adoption rate of technology from the current ca. 50%.

 

Objectives for Help to Grow: Digital

  1. Provide Value for Money and measurable impact
  2. Tackle SME financial barriers to tech adoption
  3. Tackle SME information barriers to tech adoption
  4. Make it easy for SMEs to access advise and support
  5. Support and incentivise the existing digital technology market to better work for SMEs

 

For more information or to register your interest, please visit helptogrow.campaign.gov.uk/.

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