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22 Oct 2026

Bira is urging businesses of all sizes to check their websites are protected, following a warning about a critical security flaw affecting PHP.

21 Oct 2026

Independent retailers, including cycle shops and IBDs, face a looming cost crisis unless the Chancellor acts in the Budget, ACT parent company Bira has warned.

20 Oct 2026

The E-Bike Positive scheme has won the Cycle Advocacy of the Year award at the 2026 BikeBiz Awards, recognising its work to improve e-bike safety, raise standards and help consumers identify...

16 Oct 2026

ACT parent company Bira has welcomed plans to make online marketplaces collect VAT but warns that proposed exemptions could undermine the crackdown.

14 Oct 2026

A strong security setup can help retailers reduce the risk of repeat incidents and protect their insurability. Joanna Evans, Head of Bikmo for Business, explains in the next instalment of a...

13 Oct 2026

Several e-bikes have been rejected at the UK border in recent weeks after checks found serious safety and compliance problems, including fire risks, inadequate documentation and components.

12 Oct 2026

The ACT is hosting an online retailer support session on Thursday 22 October at 10:30am to help independent bicycle dealers affected by the administration of Accell Group UK.
 

9 Oct 2026

E-Bike Positive has gained further recognition from MPs, Government ministers and Transport for London (TfL), strengthening its position as a safety trust mark helping consumers identify safe,...

8 Oct 2026

Deliveroo is piloting new speed and GPS technology to identify riders using illegal e-bikes, with riders found to be repeatedly travelling at sustained speeds beyond the...

1 Oct 2026

Europe will need around 105,000 additional bike mechanics by 2032, according to new industry analysis which says the sector is already 45,000 mechanics short of meeting current demand.

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Nearst enables you to stay in contact with your customers via Whatsapp

Posted on in Cycles News

ACT partner NearSt introduce the option to add WhatsApp chat functionality on your NearSt shop page!

As more people are beginning to self-isolate many shops are having to introduce more methods to keep running their businesses running. It's a rapidly changing situation for shops and communication with your customers plays an important role.

To help make it as easy as possible for your customers to contact you, NearSt have rapidly developed the option to add WhatsApp chat functionality on your NearSt shop page. The new service is available from today, is completely free, and will allow shoppers to contact you directly via WhatsApp.

All you need is a WhatsApp Business Account to receive any messages sent through your shop page. Setting up a WhatsApp Business account is very simple (and free!), and will take you less than a minute. It gives you a very easy way to be reachable for your customers, without giving away your personal mobile phone number or mixing personal and business messages.

Just follow these simple steps:

  1. Download the WhatsApp Business app on your iPhone or Android phone.
  2. Once you open the app, you will be asked to enter a phone number. It's recommended to use your shop's landline number for that!
  3. It will try to send an SMS to that number at first, which might fail in the case of a landline, but you will then be able to request an automated phone call with the code needed to verify the number. After that's done, you'll get a chance to set your business name and some other optional details, like an address and opening hours.
  4. Once everything is set up, go into Business Settings > Short Link and copy the link WhatsApp has generated. Send that link to support@near.st, and we'll connect it up to your NearSt shop page!

If you have any questions or need any support getting set up feel free to get in touch with the team at NearSt who will be happy to help hello@near.st. 

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