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Investment in convenience sector hits record high of £1bn

17 Sep 2024

Over the last year, convenience retailers have spent a combined £1bn (up from £646m in the previous 12 months) refitting their stores, installing new energy efficient refrigeration... Read more…

Bira responds cautiously to encouraging trends in KPMG Retail Sales Monitor report.

3 Sep 2024

The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has responded to the BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor for August 2024. The report, which can be downloaded here, has highlighted:
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Pet Shop owner nominated for award for food bank donations

2 Sep 2024

Rebecca Harrington, owner of Purdy's pet shop in Coventry, has been nominated in the animal category at BBC CWR's Make a Difference awards for providing pet food parcels to food banks
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Standardised witness statement developed for retailers submitting CCTV evidence to the polic

2 Sep 2024

The National Business Crime Centre (NBCC), in collaboration with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and police forces, has developed a standardised witness statement for retailers submitting... Read more…

Sheffield’s new independent retail hub opens to the public

2 Sep 2024

A redeveloped Grade II* Listed hub in Sheffield has opened its doors to the public for the first time, providing a contemporary city centre hub for some of the city’s finest... Read more…

Government urged to protect independent retailers as part of living wage increases

2 Sep 2024

The national president of the Federation of Independent Retailers has written to the new secretary of state for business and trade, Jonathan Reynolds, to highlight the impact of higher wages on... Read more…

Barbers to test blood pressure to fight inequality

2 Sep 2024

Two barber shops in south London are offering customers free blood pressure tests to tackle undiagnosed health issues amongst black and Asian men.
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Bira welcomes recent Bank of England interest rate cut

14 Aug 2024

The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has welcomed the Bank of England’s recent decision to cut interest rates from 5.25% to 5%.
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Community rallies around shop owner’s appeal after ‘devastating’ break-in

14 Aug 2024

A shop owner in Bramley, West Leeds, has thanked kind-hearted members of the community after her shop was targeted by burglars.
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National and local governments called on to invest in the repair of the retail sector after recent riots.

14 Aug 2024

The recent wave of civil unrest in the has dealt a severe blow to the UK retail sector, with high-street stalwarts and independent stores alike bearing the brunt of the violence.
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Men who stole thousands from small businesses sentenced

Posted on in Business News

Two men have been handed suspended sentences after stealing thousands of pounds from small businesses during a card-machine scam.

Card theft

Abdullah Said-Ahmed, 29, and Tahir Mohammed, 30, both from Brent, in London, admitted conspiring to commit fraud after targeting several businesses around Bristol's Cabot Circus between February and March 2019.

Omar Said-Baker, 30, of Brent, London, also pleaded guilty to the same offences, but did not attend Bristol Crown Court for sentencing last week. A warrant has since been issued for his arrest.

Avon and Somerset Police caught the men when they were travelling along the M4 in a car with false number plates.

After searching the vehicle, officers found expensive clothing and multiple credit and debit cards, four of which were in Said-Baker's name.

The trio committed fraud by telling shop workers they needed to enter their pin into card terminals when paying for goods.

But instead of entering a pin, they used the cards to authorise refunds to several different bank accounts.

Police said CCTV footage was recovered, showing how at least one man would distract the shop worker while the refunds were carried out.

Said-Ahmed was given a 14-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.

Mohammed was given a 23-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

Det Sgt Louise Sinclair, from Avon and Somerset Police, said: “These three men brazenly stole thousands of pounds from small shops and cafés.

“On one occasion, they refunded more than £5,000 from an independent café.

“I hope this investigation reassures small business owners that no matter how complex an investigation might be, we will do everything we can to ensure those who harm people’s livelihoods will be held to account.

“I also hope this case reminds shop workers of the need to be vigilant, to not allow customers to handle PDQ machines and the importance of reporting suspicious behaviour or criminality to us.”

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