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Retailers react to disposable vape ban.

5 Feb 2024

The retail sector has been responding to government plans to ban disposable vapes as part of plans to tackle the rise in youth vaping.
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UK’s indie food retailers to be recognised in the Farm Shop and Deli Retailer Awards 2024.

23 Jan 2024

Bakers, butchers, cheesemongers, delicatessens, fishmongers, greengrocers, village stores and small farm shops from around the UK have been shortlisted in the Farm Shop and Deli Retailer Awards... Read more…

How Independent Retailers Can Stand Out in A Crowded Market

23 Jan 2024

An interesting article has appeared in Forbes reflecting many of the issues that Indie Retail & ActSmart members will be experiencing – the challenges and... Read more…

Eight in Ten Small Businesses Taking Positive Steps to Strengthen Their Enterprises in 2024

22 Jan 2024

Eight in ten small business owners (81%) are planning to develop their companies in 2024, according to new research from Novuna Business Finance. The research shows that over a third (33%) are... Read more…

The Times names 12 of the UK’s best independent bookshops — as chosen by its readers.

22 Jan 2024

The Times has named 12 of the UK’s best independent bookshops — as chosen by its readers. Readers highlighted places that combined books with a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.... Read more…

Bira Launches Second Annual Campaign for Valentine's Day - #LoveYourHighStreet

22 Jan 2024

The British Independent Retailers Association is championing the high street again this Valentine's Day for the second consecutive year with its #LoveYourHighStreet campaign.
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Family-run shop in Lanarkshire village scoops community retailer award for second year running.

10 Jan 2024

Nads Store, a family-run shop in Law, Lanarkshire, has been named Community Retailer of the Year at the Scottish Asian and Business Awards ceremony for the second year running.
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Bira urges vigilance against loan fee fraud following FCA guidance.

10 Jan 2024

In the face of the escalating threat of loan fee fraud, the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) is urging its members to heed the Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) recent guidance... Read more…

Canal boat record store Rubber Ducky Records is back afloat.

9 Jan 2024

Canal boat record store Rubber Ducky Records is back on the water after it sank last April, ruining over 1,000 vinyl records and a stow of music equipment stored on... Read more…

New research shows UK retail sector powered by entrepreneurs and start-ups

9 Jan 2024

While mass-market players continue to dominate the UK retail industry, research by Geek Retreat shows that 15% of Brits have set up their own business in the past ten years, and of these,... Read more…

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The ACT and other IRC members meet with under-secretary of state Paul Scully MP to discuss the future on independent retail

Posted on in Business News, Cycles News, Political News

Key members of the Independent Retailers Confederation (IRC) including the ACT and ActSmart, have met with Paul Scully MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Labour Markets and also Minister for London, to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on independent retailers.

The IRC is a well-established organisation, bringing together like-minded trade associations with interests in the small and independent retail sector. The IRC represents c.100,000 independent retailers throughout the UK, creating a growing retail network, committed to the development and sharing of best practice among associations and their members engaged in the independent retail sector.

 

All IRC members All IRC member logos 

The lockdown has heavily affected high street retailers, impacting both essential and non-essential retailers in different ways. The meeting topics evaluated any lessons that we have so far learned from national lockdowns and ways in which we can move forward from this using government support.

The Minister acknowledged the investment that had been made by retailers to ensure COVID19 safe trading environments, and was keen to emphasis the governments desire to ensure that non-essential retail remain open if possible. He acknowledged the need for clear consistent messaging from government, but also asked for support with messaging locally to encourage consumers to take responsibility for shopping safely. He said he was keen to work with the IRC and listen to our input.

The need for targeted relief for businesses effected most was discussed, and the issues of rent and rates. Again the Minister listened and said he was ‘sympathetic' to the request to extend the moratorium on rents but that there needed to be an end date due to the impact on other areas of the economy. The need for urgent review of the rates system was also discussed, which the Minister acknowledged, and he invited the group to feed back further with ideas. The group also put forward the idea of a government voucher scheme, similar to the summer ‘eat out' initiative, to support local retailers which the Minister noted.

The IRC will be meeting with the minister once again early in the New Year, updates of this will once again follow. If you would like to provide any feedback or suggestions that could potentially be discussed in the meeting please email info@indieretail.uk.

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