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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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Indie Retail COVID-19 Reopening Resources and Guidance 2021

Posted on in Brands & Products News

After many retail businesses were told at the beginning of the third lockdown to once again close their doors and move online where possible, there is no question that the lockdown will change the way that consumers shop in the long-term.

Research suggest that customers now place a higher value on customer service than they did before COVID-19, but that they still may feel uncomfortable physically visiting many shops for a long-time as of yet. While we have seen a great shift towards online shopping over the last few months, it is now time to start planning for customers walking through high-street doors once again from 12th April.

The following guidance is for shops that are now reopening after previously closing. The aim of the document is to enable retailers to operate efficiently while implementing social distancing and other safety measures with various advice and resources.

The safety and wellbeing of every member of staff and customers is Indie Retail's number one priority, and therefore it is important that virus control restrictions continue to limit transmission. Any recommendations or changes to normal practice should be communicated to your insurance provider. Indie Retail is not liable for the guidance presented in this document.

The guide provides:

  • Advice on getting back up and running safely after business closure
  • Advice on sourcing materials for shielding/social distancing
  • A COVID-19 re-opening an empty building checklist
  • How to let the UK know that you are open
  • Advice on workplace COVID-19 testing
  • How to use social media to invite customers back
  • Addition resources

Download the Indie Retail COVID-19 Reopening Resources and Guidance Document 2021

 

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