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Independent retailers face Fresh challenges as UK inflation climbs to 3.8%

20 Aug 2025

ACT parent company Bira has expressed serious concern following today's announcement that UK inflation rose to 3.8% in July, higher than the expected 3.7% and marking the tenth consecutive month... Read more…

Bike industry continues to face challenges as profits and forecasts falter at Giant, Canyon and Shim

14 Aug 2025

The global bike industry remains under pressure as Shimano, Giant and Canyon all report weaker profits and subdued outlooks for 2025.
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ACT to join industry leaders at brand new cycling trade event this September

13 Aug 2025

The ACT is set to be in attendance at the inaugural Cycling Industry News Live (CIN Live) trade show, which is set to bring together industry-wide education, market insight and product showcases... Read more…

Independent retail crisis deepens as nearly half see sales plummet compared to last year

12 Aug 2025

Britain's high street crisis has deepened dramatically with nearly half of independent retailers, including many in the independent cycling retail sector, reporting sales have crashed compared... Read more…

Independent retailers slam £5.9bn "de minimis" import loophole as Government delays action

11 Aug 2025

ACT parent company Bira has condemned the Government's inaction over the "de minimis" import loophole following a Sky News investigation revealing £5.9 billion worth of cheap imports... Read more…

Criminals undermining legitimate retailers as trading standards collapse

7 Aug 2025

Bira has warned that criminals are undermining legitimate retailers as trading standards services collapse, following a new Which? investigation.
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ACT welcomes Government's new product safety laws

23 Jul 2025

A leading cycle traders association has backed the government's move to protect consumers from dangerous products sold through online marketplaces, following Royal Assent of the Product... Read more…

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…

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UK votes for its favourite pun-based shop name

Posted on in Business News

The UK has voted for its favourite pun-based shop name, and 'Sew It Seams' - a clothing alteration store in Belfast - has been awarded the top spot. 

Sew it Seams

Image: facebook.com/sewitseamsni

Language learning platform Babbel scoured TikTok, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook to identify UK shops with clever or amusing names, before putting forward 120 store names to a public vote to find the one that the public liked best.

In second and third place respectively, overall, came Harlech-based clothing shop Damsel In This Dress and removal company Jean Claude Van Man, from Southport. 

Alongside the three national winners, Babbel announced the most popular store names in each UK region - from London-based hair salon Barber Streisand to Dartmoor's Sherlock Holmes-inspired food van The Hound of the Basket Meals (best in the South West) and Shetland's pet-sitting service Hairy Pop-Ins (best in Scotland). Best of the East Midlands shop names was Ashbourne's candle shop On a Wick and a Prayer.

Luton stole the East of England crown with barber shop Alley Barber, while Sunderland tanning shop was named best in the North East of England with Tan Solo. 

Down in the South, East Kent stood out with Pane in The Glass (a window repair shop), while the West Midlands was represented by Birmingham's ironing service, Iron Maiden. 

Completing the list is the brilliant Frying Nemo, a fish and chip shop in Goole.  

 

 

 

 

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