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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.
Read more…

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…

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…

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Local Bike Shop Day 2024 confirmed for Saturday May 4th.

Posted on in Business News

The ACT is encouraging the industry and the wider cycling community to support the campaign as part of a wider effort to ‘kickstart’ the sector after a difficult post-Covid period.

LBS Day

Jonathan Harrison from the ACT said: “Local Bike Shop Day is a celebration of the character, quality, and passion of the UK’s bike businesses, we hope that this year’s campaign can play a role in kickstarting the industry’s recovery. While Local Bike Shop Day is just one day a year, its main objective is raising awareness of the invaluable service that our IBDs offer year-round.

“There are plenty of ways for bike businesses to get involved in the day, in the past, shops have led rides in their community, hosted repair workshops with some even putting on gigs in store. It really is up to you how you use the campaign to promote what your business and what you have to offer.”

Over 500 bike businesses engaged with the campaign in-store and online in 2023, with the Department for Transport, the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Cycling & Walking and We Are Cycling promoting the initiative.

Discussing their Local Bike Shop Day experience, Gemma Thompson, a co-founder at RedSky Bikes in Thirsk said: “Local Bike Shop Day 2023 was the most successful event at our shop to date. We were busier than the average Saturday and there was generally a very positive vibe surrounding the weekend.

“We offered customers free entry to a prize draw upon completion of a questionnaire asking for feedback on our shop. Lots of free cycling goodies and RedSky Bikes merchandise were up for grabs, as prizes. Our head mechanic ran a Q&A session in our workshop, where we welcomed familiar faces, and lots of new ones too.

“We also partnered with our friends at fellow Thirsk business Fred & Bert’s Coffee, offering customers free bacon butties, which went down a treat!

“The RedSky team is really looking forward to this year’s Local Bike Shop Day and we would encourage other bike businesses to use the momentum the campaign generates to their advantage.”

The campaign will be sponsored by Cytech, which provides technical skills training for the cycle trade. In 2023, Cytech laid claim to the title of largest internationally recognised cycle technical training and accreditation scheme with over 25,000 Cytech technical training courses being delivered to candidates from all over the world.

Bike businesses can access a free retailer promotion pack which includes a number of digital assets such as graphics and shop posters at Local Bike Shop Day, while on social media the ACT is encouraging the industry to use the hashtag #LocalBikeShopDay and follow the campaign’s accounts.

Local Bike Shop Day on:

X/Twitter 

Instagram 

Facebook

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