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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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ACT parent company Bira warns of 'Atrocious April' as shop price inflation rises

1 Apr 2025

Bira has voiced serious concerns over the latest figures from the BRC-NIQ Shop Price Index for March 2025.
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ACT parent company Bira says Spring Statement fails to address high street crisis

26 Mar 2025

ACT parent company Bira has said the Chancellor's Spring Statement delivered today has failed to address the "perfect storm" of cost pressures facing independent retailers across the UK,... Read more…

ACT parent company Bira outlines key priorities ahead of Spring Budget

25 Mar 2025

ACT parent company Bira has outlined its key priorities ahead of the Chancellor's Spring Budget statement.
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Bristol-based cycling charity Life Cycle now offering Cytech training courses

20 Mar 2025

Cytech, the internationally recognised training and accreditation scheme for bicycle mechanics, have partnered with Bristol-based charity Life Cycle to offer a range of bicycle mechanic... Read more…

High street 'death knell' – indie retailers, including cycle shops, shutting doors ahead of April tax rises

12 Mar 2025

Towns and cities across Britain are already seeing a wave of closures as independent businesses shut their doors ahead of April’s triple tax burden, including those in the cycling retail... Read more…

Research shows UK businesses hiring more as consumer confidence lifts

5 Mar 2025

New research has revealed a recent uptick in UK consumer confidence, leading to increased hiring by businesses, with the retail sector responding positively to signs of economic resilience.
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Independent cycle shop becomes first retailer to stock new local bike brand

28 Feb 2025

Independent cycling retailer and ACT member Velo Fit has become the first to stock a new brand of bikes focused on combining quality and affordability.
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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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