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2 Apr 2026

Bikebook has announced a new integration with Shopify

1 Apr 2026

An awards scheme celebrating independent bike shops that go above and beyond for their communities launches this week.

30 Mar 2026

ACT parent company Bira has warned that falling retail sales in February are an early sign of consumers reining in their spending amid growing economic uncertainty.

26 Mar 2026

A flagship cycling borough in outer London is poised to lift its eight-year ban on dockless e-bikes, with Waltham Forest Labour Party pledging to introduce a scheme if it retains control of...

26 Mar 2026

Bira has welcomed the government's £319 million investment in high street revitalisation, while warning that without reform of business rates and action on overseas imports, many high...

19 Mar 2026

This one's sobering: 42% of small businesses reported a cyber breach in 2024, according to the National Cyber Security Centre. And it's not just massive corporations being targeted. It's small,...

19 Mar 2026

The Chancellor held a roundtable discussion on a future high street strategy last week, with Bira the sole voice representing smaller retail businesses. Read an update on Bira's place at a...

18 Mar 2026

An independent bike shop is refusing to sell or repair e-scooters over concerns about how they are being used, with the area’s police force backing the call and urging others to follow...

17 Mar 2026

Walking, wheeling and cycling across the Liverpool City Region are saving the NHS £53.8 million every year, according to the latest Walking and Cycling Index, with cycling playing a key...

13 Mar 2026

Findings from consumer rights publication Which? add to calls from the E-Bike Positive campaign to better scrutinise these sites and promote quality e-bikes from reputable manufacturers and...

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Download the ACT face covering poster to inform customers and staff of the new law

Posted on in Business News , Cycles News

IFace Covering Poster - ACTt is now compulsory for all retail workers in England to wear face masks from today.

As detailed in the below guidance, colleagues are not required to use a face covering where there is a physical barrier, such as a Perspex screen, between the colleague and customers:

Face coverings must be worn by retail, leisure and hospitality staff working in indoor areas which are open to the public and where they are likely to come into contact with a member of the public, for example shops, supermarkets and restaurants. If these businesses have taken steps in line with HSE guidance for Covid-19 Secure workplaces to create a physical barrier between workers and members of the public then staff behind the barrier will not be required to wear a face covering.

Colleagues are also exempt when they are not in a customer facing environment (e.g. stock room), if they have a hidden disability or another health condition, or if they are with someone who relies on lip reading to communicate with them.

For further information please see the government website here.

The ACT has created a Face Covering Poster for shops to display outside to inform customers and staff of the new law.

Download the ACT Face Covering Poster now

 

Additional Resources

For additional resources and guidance including posters, letter templates and advice please see the ACT website here.

To help independent retailers the Independent Retailers Confederation (IRC) collaborated through Indie Retail and The Behaviours Agency to create a selection of Covid-19 Behavioural-led retail posters specifically designed to adhere to Government and BRC guidelines.

Intended to help keep customers and employees safe and well in a retail environment, they inform them of:

  • the steps being taken to meet the Government's guidance
  • the expectations of customers and employees to ensure the Government's guidance is met.

To download, simply click on any of the posters below:

 

COVID-19 Indie Retail Think Distance Think Cow COVID-19 Indie Retail Think Shop Alone  COVID-19 Indie Retail Thinking Of You
COVID-19 Indie Retail Think Clean  COVID-19 Indie Retail Think Contactless COVID-19 Indie Retail Thank You For Thinking
     

 

 

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