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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.
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Bira welcomes Wales' business rates proposals but calls for key improvements

11 Jun 2025

Bira has welcomed the Welsh Government's consultation on business rate reforms for retail shops, whilst calling for significant improvements to ensure the proposals truly support high street... Read more…

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…

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Creative and crafty independent shops shortlisted in competition!

Posted on in Business News, Creative News

There is not long to wait now with just over 2 weeks to go until the Best Small Shop in the UK for 2019 is announced at the reception in the House of Commons!

Over the last couple of weeks we have been introducing you to the fantastic shops that have been shortlisted and telling you about the wonderful ways in which they continuously help their communities and why they stood out to the judges.

This year we have two independent arts and crafts stores shortlisted into our final 25, with enough creativity between them to inspire the whole of the UK to get crafty!

The Orry Mill

The Orry Mill is an independent yarn shop that runs regular classes and workshops for crafters and showcases a modern take on the old crafts of knitting and crocheting.

The Orry Mill is set in Glasgow and owned by Thilde Folke Olsen and her husband Stephen McBride. Thilde came to Scotland to study at the Glasgow School of Art. As a child Thilde was brought up in Denmark immersed in knitting, crochet and crafting. When she finally settled in the village of Eaglesham she became fascinated by the history of the village. The name ‘The Orry Mill' refers to the open space in Eaglesham known as ‘The Orry' (Old Scots for 'area') in which there are the remains of a cotton mill.

 

Gemz By Emz

Based in Romford, Gemz By Emz does the arts and crafts for you, by specialising in home made personalised gifts, engraved with the photo, handwriting, text and even pregnancy scan of the customer's choice. It also creates stunning diamond dust glitter canvasses and personalised cushions. Not only have the shop's items been purchased and promoted by famous faces but they have also been featured on television and in magazines.

Gemz By Emz also features an online blog which allows you to not only learn about the buisness and it's array of offerings, but also gives you an insight into the designer and founder of Gemz by Emz, Emma.

 

For more information about The Orry Mill and Gemz By Emz you can visit their pages in the Indie Retail Shop directory. Keep up to date with the Best Small Shops competition by following our Twitter, Facebook and Instagram pages.

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