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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…

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…

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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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