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New awards launch to champion Britain's independent high street heroes

9 Jun 2025

Retailers on Britain's high streets are being encouraged to put themselves forward for the first-ever Love Your High Street Awards, designed to celebrate the small businesses that bring... Read more…

"Tectonic shift" in employment law threatens independent retailer viability, warns Bira podcast

6 Jun 2025

Independent retailers are facing a "generational" transformation of employment law that could fundamentally change how small businesses operate, according to the final episode of Bira's first... Read more…

Retailers hope warm weather and bank holidays will boost high street sales

16 May 2025

ACT parent company Bira has said that members are hopeful the warm weather, Easter weekend and upcoming bank holidays will provide a much-needed boost to high street sales.
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Economic growth surges to 0.7%, but "April reality check" looms for high street retailers

15 May 2025

UK economy delivers strongest quarterly performance in a year despite forecasts of business downturn.
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Communities come together for Local Bike Shop Day 2025 celebrations

13 May 2025

Local Bike Shop Day 2025 brought a wave of... Read more…

ACT parent company Bira welcomes Bank of England's latest interest rate cut

8 May 2025

ACT parent company Bira has welcomed the Bank of England's decision to reduce interest rates from 4.5% to 4.25%, calling it a "much-needed boost" for the retail sector, including for cycling... Read more…

ACT parent company Bira responds to Beales' "Rachel Reeves Closing Down Sale" as iconic store makes final protest

8 May 2025

ACT parent company Bira has responded to the news that the 144-year-old Beales department store is staging a "Rachel Reeves Closing Down Sale" in its final weeks of trading, with giant yellow... Read more…

Employment Rights Bill - ACT and Bira answer your questions

28 Apr 2025

The Labour Government’s new Employment Rights Bill is set to be in force this year and the new regulations will impact high street retailers up and down the country.
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ACT parent company Bira welcomes Chancellor's action on unfair trade practices

25 Apr 2025

ACT parent company Bira welcomes the Chancellor's announcement of plans to create a level playing field for British businesses against unfair international trade practices.
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ACT parent company Bira responds to Prime Minister's 'Bobbies on the Beat' plan

11 Apr 2025

Bira has cautiously welcomed the Prime Minister's announcement this week on plans to put 'thousands of Bobbies back on the Beat' with a new neighbourhood policing guarantee.
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Bira welcomes recent Bank of England interest rate cut

Posted on in Business News

The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has welcomed the Bank of England’s recent decision to cut interest rates from 5.25% to 5%.

Andrew Goodacre

Bira, which works with over 6,000 independent businesses of all sizes across the UK has said this move is a positive step for the retail sector and the wider economy.

Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira, said: “We have been calling for a cut in interest rates for many months and so we are delighted that the Bank of England has finally decided to listen.

“Interest rates climbed too high too quickly, and whilst we can see that not all inflationary pressures have eased, the cut is needed to bolster consumer confidence, which in turn should boost consumer spending.”

Talking about the reduction, the first since March 2020, Goodacre added: “The cut will be seen as an important staging post as the economy starts to turn the corner on years of inflationary shocks. Businesses can start to anticipate cheaper borrowing and investment funding.”

The decision comes after the Bank of England’s rate-setting committee voted by a majority of five to four to reduce the rate. This base rate is closely followed as it heavily influences the rates set by High Street banks and money lenders.

Bira believes this rate cut will provide much-needed relief to independent retailers and consumers alike, potentially stimulating spending and investment in the retail sector.

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