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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…

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…

Independent retailers report worsening retail crime crisis as confidence in police response

17 Oct 2025

A shocking 83% of independent retailers say theft has worsened over the past year, whilst the vast majority of crimes now go unreported due to lack of police response, according to ACT parent... Read more…

ACT member gains coverage in local media thanks to focus on maintaining independent cycling retail presence

14 Oct 2025

ACT member Cyclo Monster has been recognised by local media for its commitment to keeping Derby’s cycling scene independent, community-focused and thriving.
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Shortlist for Independent Bookshop of the Year 2024 revealed.

Posted on in Business News

The British Book Awards has announced its shortlist for Independent Bookshop of the Year. 

Best Book shop

A record number of 77 bookstores across the UK and Ireland have secured their place as finalists this year, celebrated for being at the heart of their local communities. The regional winners will be revealed on Tuesday, March 12 before the overall Independent Bookshop of the Year is crowned at a ceremony in London on March 13.

Here’s the full list of stores up for an award: 

East England

  • The Book Hive – Norwich
  • Niche Comics Bookshop – Huntingdon
  • Bookbugs and Dragon Tales – Norwich
  • Kett’s Books – Wymondham
  • Maldon Books Limited – Maldon
  • The Holt Bookshop – Holt
  • David’s Bookshop – Letchworth
  • Next Page Books – Hitchin

London

  • Children’s Bookshop – Muswell Hill
  • Burley Fisher Books – Haggerston
  • The Common Press – Bethnal Green
  • Round Table Books CIC – Brixton
  • BookBar – Islington
  • Village Books – Dulwich
  • Backstory – Balham
  • Brick Lane Bookshop – Tower Hamlets
  • The Riverside Bookshop – London Bridge
  • Goldsboro Books Limited – Charing Cross

Midlands

  • The Rabbit Hole – Brigg
  • The Childrens Bookshelf – Hereford
  • Burway Books – Church Stretton
  • Wonderland Bookshop – Retford
  • The Heath Bookshop – Birmingham
  • Five Leaves Bookshop – Nottingham
  • Rossiter Books – Malvern
  • Poetry Pharmacy – Bishop’s Castle 

North England

  • Forum Books – Corbridge
  • Sam Read Bookseller – Grasmere
  • The West Kirby Bookshop – Wirral
  • House of Books & Friends – Manchester
  • Drake, The Bookshop – Stockton-On-Tees
  • Kemps General Store Ltd – Malton
  • Truman Books Ltd – Leeds
  • Pritchards Bookshop – Liverpool
  • Wave of Nostalgia – Haworth
  • Verey Books – Penrith 

Scotland

  • The Edinburgh Bookshop – Edinburgh
  • Typewronger Books – Edinburgh
  • Atkinson-Pryce Books – Biggar
  • Far From the Madding Crowd – Linlithgow
  • The Book Nook Stewarton Ltd – Kilmarnock
  • Highland Bookshop Ltd – Fort William
  • The Bookmark – Grantown on Spey
  • Ullapool Bookshop – Ullapool
  • Night Owl Books – East Linton
  • Heron & Willow – Jedburgh

South-east England

  • Coles Books – Bicester
  • Afrori Books – Brighton
  • Our Bookshop – Tring
  • Hungerford Bookshop – Hungerford
  • Mostly Books – Abingdon
  • Books on the Hill – St Albans
  • The Margate Bookshop – Margate
  • P & G Wells – Winchester
  • Pigeon Books – Southsea
  • Mrs Middleton’s Shop and The Rabbit Hole – Isle of Wight 

South-west England

  • Gloucester Road Books – Bristol
  • The Borzoi Bookshop – Stow-on-the-Wold
  • Harbour Bookshop – Kingsbridge
  • Shrew Books – Fowey
  • Folde Dorset Ltd – Shaftesbury
  • Max Minerva’s – Bristol
  • Westbourne Bookshop – Bournemouth
  • Liznojan Books – Tiverton
  • Bookhaus – Bristol
  • Bert’s Books – Swindon

Wales

  • Gwisgo Ltd – Aberaeron
  • The Bookshop Mold – Mold
  • Book-ish – Crickhowell
  • The Bookshop by the Sea – Aberystwyth
  • Cover to Cover – Swansea

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