{$inpagemarkup}

Search News

Results: 1-10 of 623


Barber shop proves it's a cut above the rest picking up coveted British retailers award

2 Sep 2025

A barber's shop in Northern Ireland has proved that it's a cut above the rest by picking up the inaugural Love Your High Street Award 2025, following a public vote that attracted over 2,230... Read more…

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.
Read more…

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.
Read more…

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.
Read more…

Back to news menu

Peterborough store selling solely local products looks to expand.

Posted on in Business News

A Peterborough store stocking products solely from local entrepreneurs said it is bucking the High Street trend and looking to expand due to its success.

Peterbrough store

Image from: facebook.com/upthegardenbath

The Unity store in the Queensgate Centre opened in November and is run by not-for-profit community organisation Up The Garden Bath. It sells items from businesses based within 20 miles but is widening it to 50 and hopes to open a Wisbech shop.

Its co-founder said it helped those who could not run their own stores:

Dave Poulton said: "Since the store opened, we have had 15,000 transactions and taken over £200,000 in total sales.

"The idea of Unity is to support people who might not be able to afford to get their own shop. They can sell their items in our shop and get that platform.

"It has been a brilliant illustration that it is a viable idea."

The shop stocks products from independent businesses, selling everything from gift cards to fabric plant pots.

Mr Poulton said he took no commission on sales but charged businesses a £125 rental fee for 28 days of trading. He pays a reduced business rate, due to a government reduction, and said Queensgate had "helped us out" with the rent to operate. He said he was delighted with the shop's success, at a time when flagship stores such as Marks and Spencer were leaving the city centre.

"People are coming in to support local businesses. We are generating money for local businesses," Mr Poulton told the BBC.

"From the start we had a rule that our traders must be based within a 20-mile radius of Peterborough. This summer we are extending that to 50 miles to give more small businesses the opportunity to get their products out there.

"We know there are some brilliant, artistic, creative people in Cambridge, who will now be eligible to join us.

"We are currently in talks to bring a similar outlet to the Horse Fair shopping centre in the Fenland town of Wisbech later this year."

Mum-of-four Natalie King sells her handcrafted garden signs in the shop.

"I sell around 30-40 items a week, it is brilliant. I get such a buzz coming here," she said.

"I have four children, aged between five and 15. With this I can work around my family and still be a proper mum to my kids. They even enjoy helping me create items."

She also sells on three online platforms, but they take a 15% cut of sales and she has the added "hassle" of packaging and posting items. She said in a shop people loved to browse and pick up items and socialise.

"Big businesses can go online, but this type of shop is the way forward - unique items you can't find anywhere else," she said.

Dr Cheryl Greyson, senior lecturer and retail expert at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in Peterborough, said the High Street "still has a place" in the future of shopping.

"There is still a call for places for people to gather and feel connected," she said.

"Unity is a beautifully curated retail space and has a community feel with a crafting table and regular workshops.

"It had the chance to test its innovative concept with the support of Queensgate Shopping Centre.

"If more shopping centres could offer these types of flexible opportunities to community-based organisations, we could see some exciting new stores on the High Street."

 

 

Back to news menu

Useful links

If you have any other queries please contact us.