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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.
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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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Indie Bookshops gear up for Bookshop Day

Posted on in Business News

Bookshop Day – the annual celebration of bookshops big and small taking place across the UK and Ireland – is coming up on Saturday 8 October and in many parts of the country plans are in place at independent bookshops on how to maximise return from the event. 

Bookshop Day

The year’s Limited-Edition Bag designed by Jackie Morris will be available exclusively from bookshops starting from Bookshop Day. Jackie joins the likes of artists and illustrators such as Dapo Adeola, Charlie Mackesy, Sir Peter Blake, Tracey Emin and Orla Kiely, who have designed previous editions of the bag.

A special video featuring Kamila Shamsie, Lenny Henry, Rev Richard Coles, Maggie O’Farrell and Juno Dawson, among others, will be shared across social media. Around the country, bookshops will be collaborating with their local literary festivals, including Cheltenham Literature Festival, Manchester Literature Festival, Henley Literary Festival. The video will be released from the Books Are My Bag social media channels (@booksaremybag) ahead of Bookshop Day, on Wednesday 5 October at 12pm.

Bookshop Day reminds customers that there has never been a better time to shop at their local bookshop. With Bookshop Day falling exactly eleven weeks before Christmas Eve, booklovers are encouraged to start thinking about their Christmas shopping early, and to make it sustainable by spreading it across the months of October, November and December.

Bookshop.org, the online bookstore on a mission to support independent bookshops and literary culture, will once again be offering free shipping on all purchases made through their website on Bookshop Day. Bookshop.org encourages customers to shop at their local bookshop as much as possible and offers a brilliant ethical alternative to anyone who wants to purchase their books online while supporting independent bookshops across the UK.

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