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15 Jun 2026

If you stock e-bikes, you may need to re-read your policy because a generic shop or retail insurance policy is unlikely to cut it these days. Unless you have a policy designed to accommodate...

12 Jun 2026

The first ever Local Bike Shop Week has been hailed a major success, as the Association of Cycle Traders Director made a personal visit to present the inaugural Local Bike Shop Awards winner...

11 Jun 2026

Local Bike Shop Week has delivered a successful nationwide campaign, bringing together major cycling media, leading industry partners and, most importantly, independent bike shops across the UK...

10 Jun 2026

ACT parent company Bira has published its latest retail crime survey, with findings that paint an increasingly urgent picture of the pressures facing independent businesses across the UK.
...

5 Jun 2026

Long-standing ACT partner V12 Retail Finance has been announced as sponsor of the Retailers Category at the BikeBiz Awards 2026, reinforcing its continued support for cycle retailers across the...

3 Jun 2026

ACT parent company Bira has warned that soaring business costs have gutted the entry-level jobs that once gave young people their first step into work, as government figures confirm the number...

1 Jun 2026

E‑Bike Positive has entered a new phase with the introduction of its updated Retailer Commitment, as the scheme prepares for a full public launch this summer.

29 May 2026

ACT Director Jonathan Harrison Featured on Latest BikeBiz Podcast Discussing E-Bike Positive

29 May 2026

New data shared by ACT partner V12 highlights the growing role of finance in the cycle retail sector

28 May 2026

Cycling UK is launching The Big Fix, a national campaign helping people get unused bikes back on the road

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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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