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6 Mar 2026

The Metropolitan Police have seized more than 50 illegal e-bikes during a two-day crackdown in London as part of a wider effort to tackle crime linked to illegally modified electric bikes.

5 Mar 2026

ACT parent company Bira has warned that the Chanellor's Spring Statement offered no new support for high street businesses, as rising tensions in the Middle East threaten to push up energy...

4 Mar 2026

The UK cycle industry were brought together at COREbike 2026, with retailers, distributors and industry partners gathering for several days of meetings, networking and product showcases.

3 Mar 2026

A Scottish bike repair shop and cafe has recently moved premises into a bigger unit thanks to a growth in business, with the local council noting the positive impact it would have on the local...

26 Feb 2026

Here's one that often surprises people: professional indemnity insurance. It's not just for lawyers and accountants. Joanna Evans, Head of Bikmo for Business, explains in the next installment of...

25 Feb 2026

The Rediscovery Centre has officially announced the launch of the Cytech Technical Three and Technical e-bike Courses at their training centre in Dublin.

19 Feb 2026

Cycling Industry News (CIN) is once again asking independent bike dealers and workshops to take part in its annual Market Data Survey to help build an...

19 Feb 2026

iceBike* 2026 reported record registrations and attendance growth for the second consecutive year at events held at the National Cycling Centre in Manchester and the Lee Valley VeloPark in...

19 Feb 2026

Local Bike Shop Week is approaching, with this year’s celebrations taking place from Sunday 3 May to Saturday 9 May 2026 - and retailers have highlighted the positive experiences they've...

17 Feb 2026

A week to celebrate and highlight the expertise and passion of independent bike shops across the UK is set to be held this May.

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How the ACT's Independent Retailers Confederation (IRC) membership will benefit IBDs

Posted on in Business News , Cycles News

IRC full logoThe ACT has recently restructured to align itself even more closely with the partner organisations that make up the Independent Retailers Confederation (IRC).

For over two decades the ACT has worked with the IRC representing the interests of well over 100,000 specialist retailers; over recent months the challenges we have all faced together has underwritten the value of that partnership, even more so as we look towards the future of the high street.

What the IRC brings the IBD:

  • Unrivalled access to Government on business matters impacting speciality retail
  • Extensive and ever increasing engagement opportunities with the public/new customers
  • A width of knowledge and experience in delivering business support across multiple sectors, high streets and shopping parades throughout the UK
  • Increased buying power and influence with commercial, Government and national agencies
  • Information, advice and best practice standards for Indie Retail
  • IRC meets every fortnight to discuss and co-ordinate action on issues impacting Indie Retail
  • The opportunity to rebuild the high street together for the future
  • Organises the Government recognised Best Small Shops competition that celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit of independent retailers
The new membership structure will allow all businesses to embrace the ACT as their trade body; more accessible to any business who can benefit from a selection of services free of charge. Participants at every level will benefit from extended business support with new services being added to the portfolio alongside a reduced pricing structure to cater for all. 
 
The restructure means that full annual ACT membership is now available for £60p.a. the equivalent of just £5p.m.
 
To learn more about the ACT's restructure and new and improved pricing read the ACT brochure or click on the link below to join the ACT now.
 
 
 

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