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Independent retailers warn Spring Statement missed opportunity as geopolitical tensions threaten high street recovery

5 Mar 2026

ACT parent company Bira has warned that the Chanellor's Spring Statement offered no new support for high street businesses, as rising tensions in the Middle East threaten to push up energy... Read more…

Scottish bike shop and cafe expands into bigger premises as council recognises 'positive impact on economy'

3 Mar 2026

A Scottish bike repair shop and cafe has recently moved premises into a bigger unit thanks to a growth in business, with the local council noting the positive impact it would have on the local... Read more…

Local Bike Shop Week returns this May, with independent retailers reporting strong benefits from past events

19 Feb 2026

Local Bike Shop Week is approaching, with this year’s celebrations taking place from Sunday 3 May to Saturday 9 May 2026 - and retailers have highlighted the positive experiences they've... Read more…

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…

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Barrowford shop owner gift wraps to raise money for cancer charity.

Posted on in Business News

Andrea Pinder, owner of the Presentations Cards and Gifts shop in Barrowford, North East of Blackburn in the Pendle district of Lancashire,  has raised £1,000 for the Rosemere Cancer Foundation by offering her customers a free gift-wrapping service.

Gift wrap

In return for the gift wrapping, shoppers were given the option of donating to Rosemere.

Andrea said: “No gift leaves here unwrapped unless the customer wishes to wrap it themselves. I buy all the paper and ribbons and do the wrapping. 

"Customers have the option of making a donation for the service if they wish and I am very grateful to all those who did.”

As well as the donation to Rosemere, Andrea was handed over £250 to Pendleside Hospice from the same gift-wrapping pot. 

Fundraising manager for Rosemere Cancer Foundation, Sue Swire, said: “Gift wrapping is a real skill that a lot of us struggle with. 

“Obviously, it is something Andrea is very good at judging by her impressed customers’ donations!

"We are very grateful to Andrea for going this extra mile for us. We are also very grateful to her customers for essentially gifting to us when buying gifts for their loved ones.”

Keen cyclist Andrea is a longstanding Rosemere Cancer Foundation supporter and no stranger to using her hobby to help her raise further funds for the charity. 

She has undertaken gruelling sponsored cycle challenges in India and Cuba to raise funds, as well as tackled peaks and troughs closer to home as a participant in the Ribble Valley Ride.

Rosemere Cancer Foundation works to bring world-class cancer treatments and services to cancer patients from throughout Lancashire and South Cumbria being treated at Rosemere Cancer Centre. It is Lancashire and South Cumbria’s specialist cancer treatment and radiotherapy centre at the Royal Preston Hospital, and at another eight local hospital cancer units across the two counties, including those at Burnley General and Royal Blackburn Hospitals.

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