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Practical steps to prevent credit card and payment fraud as an independent cycling retailer

4 Dec 2024

As credit card fraud becomes increasingly sophisticated, taking these steps could help you stay ahead of the fraudsters…
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Scottish retailers call for urgent business rates support as gap widens with rest of UK

29 Nov 2024

Scottish independent retailers, including those in the cycling sector, are urging the Scottish Government to provide crucial business rates relief in its upcoming budget, as the disparity in... Read more…

Bira and ACT welcome new House of Lords report on high street regeneration

28 Nov 2024

Independent retailers back call for local leadership and simplified funding.
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Seven-in-ten cycle traders boycott Black Friday as cost pressures mount

26 Nov 2024

Seven in ten cycle retailers across the UK will boycott this year's Black Friday sales event, according to a survey of the bicycle trade by the ACT.
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Cycling club raising funds for youth bike maintenance workshops and 'go slow' inclusivity initiative

21 Nov 2024

A local cycling club is raising money and seeking donations and assistance in order to teach bike maintenance to young people through a series of workshops in 2025.
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Bira meets with Treasury members to discuss Budget concerns and business rate reform proposal

17 Nov 2024

Bira has held a meeting with members of the Treasury team to discuss concerns following its robust response to the Government’s recent Budget announcement.
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ACT teams up with Saledock to supercharge bike shop efficiency and customer experience

14 Nov 2024

The ACT has announced a dynamic partnership with Saledock - an all-in-one POS, eCommerce, and inventory management platform tailor-made for bike shops and workshops.
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'Devastating and out of touch' - independent retailers react to Budget bombshell

1 Nov 2024

Independent retailers across Britain have reacted with dismay to yesterday's Budget, with many warning of store closures, job losses and cancelled expansion plans.
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Devastating Budget Delivers Triple Blow to Independent Retailers, Says ACT and Bira

30 Oct 2024

The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) and the ACT have condemned today's Budget as the most damaging for independent retailers in recent memory, with... Read more…

Retailers paying one-third of all UK business rates despite making up only 9% of economy

30 Oct 2024

Retailers and hospitality businesses are paying three times their economic share in business rates, according to analysis by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and UK Hospitality.
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Bira and ACT welcome new House of Lords report on high street regeneration

Posted on in Business News, Cycles News

ACT parent company Bira has welcomed a major new report from the House of Lords that calls for empowered local leadership and simplified funding to help revive Britain's high streets.

High Street Camden

The Built Environment Committee's report, "High Streets: Life beyond retail?", published today (November 28), sets out how high streets can be regenerated and become more resilient, emphasising that retail, including the cycling retail sector, will remain vital but must be part of a broader mix including leisure, services, and community spaces.

The committee found that local authorities often lack adequate resources and skills to support high streets, recommending investment in training town centre managers and highlighting the need for greater coordination between Government departments.

Andrew Goodacre, Bira CEO
Andrew Goodacre, Bira CEO

Commenting on the report, Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira, said: "This report has identified some of the key elements to a successful high street, whilst recognising that each place needs to find its identity and solution to create a vibrant high street.

"For some time Bira has been saying that retail is no longer the dominant feature of high streets, with consumers looking for more services and leisure opportunities. We also agree with the conclusion that high streets need diversity and adaptability - characteristics often delivered by independent retailers and independent business in general.

"It is also good to see recognition of the need for good accessibility by investing in infrastructure where possible and highlighting the importance of good car parking.

"Finally, we absolutely support the idea of local business leaders and local communities being involved with future plans to regenerate a place. Funding can also then be devolved to a local level, supporting coherent plans. Independent retailers care about their high street and their communities, and all too often their voice can be ignored.”

The ACT echoed support for the report, highlighting the vital role cycling businesses play in creating vibrant high streets and emphasising that improved cycling infrastructure is essential for encouraging high street visits while supporting sustainable transport options.

The report urges the Government to provide local authorities with more targeted support and calls for a radical simplification of the current funding landscape, which it describes as "patchy and uncoordinated." It also emphasises the importance of providing resource funding alongside capital investment to ensure sustainable regeneration.

You can learn more about the ACT's political advocacy here.

Bira is at the forefront of championing the cause of independent traders and shopkeepers across Britain. Learn more here.

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