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Small Business Strategy Inquiry 2025 - ACT and Bira call for members to share their voice

20 Jun 2025

The House of Commons Business and Trade Committee has asked the ACT, and its parent company Bira, to help them reach out to small business retailers across the country, for their quick input on... Read more…

Beyond the discount: Restoring integrity to the cycle supply chain

18 Jun 2025

The Association of Cycle Traders believes the time has come for greater accountability throughout our supply chain, writes ACT Director Jonathan Harrison in an article published for BikeBiz.
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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.
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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.
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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…

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94% independent retailers urge government to ‘preserve UK high streets’

Posted on in Business News, Cycles News

A new report by Ankorstore and retail consultant Mary Portas has found that 94% of independent retailers want the government to act in next week’s budget to preserve the UK’s high streets.

A total of 97% of independent retailers believe the UK government has not provided enough support as costs increase, according to a new research report, The Future of Independent Retail.

Meanwhile, 74% are calling for the Energy Relief Scheme to be extended beyond March.

If the energy relief scheme isn’t extended, almost half of all independent retailers (42%) said they will either close or consider closing.

quaint street

“We know there is hope for our local high streets post-Covid. Shoppers want to support them and almost half of retailers are positive about 2023,” Portas said. “But – and it’s a big but – the government has to support them.”

Almost half (43%) of independent retailers are hopeful for a successful 2023 and are expecting their revenues and profits to increase next year. Meanwhile, 21% are planning on further investment in the future, and 68% believe that 2023 will be the year of the “15-minute city” believing it to be the future of independent retail in Britain.

Portas added: “The closure of independent retailers would have huge consequences for the communities who depend on these shops – and the social infrastructure they provide. Because shops are about so much more than what is sold.”

With the chancellor set to make his financial statement on 17 November, retailers are united in their call for support.

Over half (55%) say the government should introduce a Covid-style VAT or business rate cut, while a further 53% believe the government should launch a loan scheme to enable independent retailers to tide themselves over during the current difficult periods.

Ankorstore UK general manager, Tarun Gidoomal said: “Retailers can survive and thrive beyond difficult times and often, crisis presents an opportunity to innovate.

“What is clear from our research is that the most successful independent retailers are embracing new technologies or doubling down on customer service.

“Consumers want to support independent retailers and I’m in no doubt that they will do that this winter.

“However, we know our retailers always need to have one eye on the future and the sector is still in need of government support to get them through this crisis, so they can grow their businesses in 2023 and continue to differentiate themselves from big box retailers.”

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