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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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Coffee road trip across Scotland unveiled with eight 'must visit' indie cafes

Posted on in Business News, Cycles News

To celebrate the release of the new Independent Coffee Guide Scotland for 2023, a coffee road trip across Scotland has been unveiled with eight 'must visit' destinations. The road trip passes through some of the very best independent coffee shops around the country.

coffe cup 

From the Highlands to the Islands, eight "must-visit" destinations for coffee lovers have been picked out by the experts. The road trip will take adventures all the way from Selkirk in the Scottish Borders up to the picturesque Isle of Skye.

The route was chosen by the editors behind the Independent Coffee Guide Scotland for 2023. Releasing this month, the sixth edition includes more than 120 coffee shops and roasteries for locals and tourists to check out in the new year.

To celebrate the release of the guide, editor of the Independent Coffee Guide Scotland Kathryn Lewis has revealed eight stops on the road trip that highlight Scotland's "buzzing" independent coffee scene.

She said: “Although the cost-of-living crisis is affecting almost everyone, those who can afford to are keen to support local indie businesses as they know how vital their custom is.

“Anthony Bourdain once said something along the lines of ‘Eat at a local restaurant tonight. Get the cream sauce. Have a cold pint at 4 o’clock in the empty bar. Tip your server. Enjoy the ride.’ and I think it’s a mantra we can all adopt. Drop into that quiet coffee shop. Pick up a bag of beans from the retail shelf. Tip your barista. Treat yourself to a Tuesday morning flat white for the hell of it.

“The small independent businesses, such as coffee shops and roasteries, are the ones we should be propping up in hard times – the corporate chains can look after themselves.”

The eight independent coffee shops around Scotland worth visiting according to the Independent Coffee Guide Scotland are Three Hills Coffee Co., Selkirk; Cairngorm Coffee, Edinburgh; The Coffee Apothecary, Udny; The Roasting Project, Fife; Slaughterhouse Coffee, Cromarty; Birch, Isle of Skye; Hinba, Oban, and Outlier in Glasgow.

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