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Portugal becomes first EU country to cut VAT on bicycle purchases this year

10 Jan 2023

Portugal has become the first EU country to cut VAT on bicycle purchases this year, from 23% to 6%.
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One in three responds to Big Bike Revival to use bike for one in two journeys previously taken by car

9 Jan 2023

Cycling UK says that its Big Bike Revival programme, which encourages people to get unused bikes out of their garages and sheds and start using them for everyday trips, has led to a third of... Read more…

Busiest year yet for TfL’s cycle hire scheme

9 Jan 2023

Transport for London’s (TfL) cycle hire scheme saw more bikes hired during 2022 than any other year in the scheme’s history, with 11.5 million rentals across the year.
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Tyl by NatWest card machine hire fees offer extended

9 Jan 2023

Great news, our exciting new card payments partner Tyl by NatWest have extended their offer of no card machine hire fees from the first 3 months the the first 6 months!
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Coffee road trip across Scotland unveiled with eight 'must visit' indie cafes

5 Jan 2023

To celebrate the release of the new Independent Coffee Guide Scotland for 2023, a coffee road trip across Scotland has been unveiled with eight 'must visit' destinations. The road trip passes... Read more…

Check how your High Street has changed since 2020

4 Jan 2023

BBC analysis has shown that beauty salons and tattoo parlours have prospered on high streets while the number of banks and department stores has fallen. Places to eat and drink have also... Read more…

£32.9 million to create a national network of walking and cycling experts

3 Jan 2023

Millions are being encouraged to walk and cycle more this year to get fit and save money, with an additional £32.9 million of government funding to accelerate walking and cycling schemes... Read more…

Almost 50 shops in the UK closed for good every day in 2022 – 65% of them independents

3 Jan 2023

Almost 50 shops in the UK closed for good every day in 2022 - more than at any other time in the last five years – according to a new report from the Centre for Retail Research.
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Leicester becomes latest to offer a free e-bikes scheme funded by Department of Transport

14 Dec 2022

Leicester has become the latest city to offer a free e-bikes scheme to encourage people to leave their cars at home and pedal around the city. The scheme, which is funded by the Department for... Read more…

Upskill your team with Microsoft online courses through Activate Learning

13 Dec 2022

ACT’s Cytech delivery partner Activate Learning, of which Activate Cycle Academy is a part, is offering FREE online Microsoft accredited online courses for employers to enable their staff... Read more…

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94% independent retailers urge government to ‘preserve UK high streets’

Posted on in Business News, Cycles News

A new report by Ankorstore and retail consultant Mary Portas has found that 94% of independent retailers want the government to act in next week’s budget to preserve the UK’s high streets.

A total of 97% of independent retailers believe the UK government has not provided enough support as costs increase, according to a new research report, The Future of Independent Retail.

Meanwhile, 74% are calling for the Energy Relief Scheme to be extended beyond March.

If the energy relief scheme isn’t extended, almost half of all independent retailers (42%) said they will either close or consider closing.

quaint street

“We know there is hope for our local high streets post-Covid. Shoppers want to support them and almost half of retailers are positive about 2023,” Portas said. “But – and it’s a big but – the government has to support them.”

Almost half (43%) of independent retailers are hopeful for a successful 2023 and are expecting their revenues and profits to increase next year. Meanwhile, 21% are planning on further investment in the future, and 68% believe that 2023 will be the year of the “15-minute city” believing it to be the future of independent retail in Britain.

Portas added: “The closure of independent retailers would have huge consequences for the communities who depend on these shops – and the social infrastructure they provide. Because shops are about so much more than what is sold.”

With the chancellor set to make his financial statement on 17 November, retailers are united in their call for support.

Over half (55%) say the government should introduce a Covid-style VAT or business rate cut, while a further 53% believe the government should launch a loan scheme to enable independent retailers to tide themselves over during the current difficult periods.

Ankorstore UK general manager, Tarun Gidoomal said: “Retailers can survive and thrive beyond difficult times and often, crisis presents an opportunity to innovate.

“What is clear from our research is that the most successful independent retailers are embracing new technologies or doubling down on customer service.

“Consumers want to support independent retailers and I’m in no doubt that they will do that this winter.

“However, we know our retailers always need to have one eye on the future and the sector is still in need of government support to get them through this crisis, so they can grow their businesses in 2023 and continue to differentiate themselves from big box retailers.”

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