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29 Jan 2026

The government's decision to give pubs a 15% business rates discount while excluding independent retailers is a "poor decision based on politics rather than what is good for the local economy",...

27 Jan 2026

For most cycling businesses operating a workshop, public and products liability isn't optional. It's critical. Joanna Evans, Head of Bikmo for Business, explains in the next installment of a...

16 Jan 2026

The 2027 Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will start in the UK for the first time together, with ten towns and cities across Scotland, England and Wales set to host the...

16 Jan 2026

ACT Director Jonathan Harrison will feature on an expert e-bike panel at both iceBike* 2026 events, joining key industry figures to discuss safety, perception and trust in the growing UK e-bike...

15 Jan 2026

Independent retailers across Scotland have been left disappointed by the Scottish Budget, with Bira warning that the measures announced fall short of what is...

15 Jan 2026

ACT service partner Bikebook has featured alongside the most promising startup businesses of 2026 in the long-running Startups 100 Index, an annual list celebrating the UK’s most...

9 Jan 2026

ACT parent company Bira has has demanded equal treatment for small shops after the government announced plans to water down business rate rises for pubs.

9 Jan 2026

Bikeability has responded to a report that found participation in its child cycling proficiency scheme has fallen across parts of the Midlands, particularly in the West Midlands, and it believes...

8 Jan 2026

Councils across England have received more than £626m in government funding to deliver new walking, wheeling and cycling schemes, with enough investment to build 500 miles of routes and...

23 Dec 2025

An end of year message from Jonathan Harrison, Director of the ACT.

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Big ideas for Small Business Saturday

Posted on in Business News , Cycles News , Outdoor News

Small businesses are encouraged to think big for Small Business Saturday! Despite the event not happening until 7th December, the organisers are encouraging businesses to start thinking about it now and have said that "it is never too early" to start planning activities to increase the awareness and effectiveness of the event.


Small Business Saturday is an annual event that was initially started in America by American Airlines. It was bought to the UK as a way to improve sales for small businesses just before the Christmas shopping period and has been increasing in awareness and popularity ever since. In 2017 the event was estimated to have generated £748million, and this was increased even further in 2018 with an estimated spending of £812million.This increased spending may be a result of more people becoming aware of the event and choosing to spend more money with small businesses because of it.


The organisers of the event now want to increase this awareness even further and are encouraging small businesses to start thinking about the event now! Some suggestions have been provided which include communities organising street festivals, implementing online campaigns and collaborating with other local businesses to create themed activities.
Find out more about Small Business Saturday and find out how you can get involved by visiting their website here.

 

IncreBest Small Shopsase awareness of your small business


For small businesses that are looking to increase awareness and gain recognition of the entrepreneurship required to run an independent business, it would be a great opportunity to enter the Best Small Shops competition! The Best Small Shops competition celebrates, not only the commitment and creativity of entrepreneurial independent retailers on the UK's High Streets but also the central role independent retailers play in building local communities. Learn more about the Best Small Shops competition and how you can enter by clicking here!

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