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2 Jul 2025

MPs have called on Amazon and eBay to tighten controls after e-bikes and chargers flagged as serious fire risks were found for sale on their platforms.

25 Jun 2025

The E-Bike Positive campaign has seen major success in the first half of 2025, with its message reaching nearly 8 million people across the UK through high-profile media coverage and growing...

20 Jun 2025

The House of Commons Business and Trade Committee has asked the ACT, and its parent company Bira, to help them reach out to small business retailers across the country, for their quick input on...

20 Jun 2025

Activate Cycle Academy has reopened its Cytech training facility in Darlington, offering a full range of courses from Home Mechanic up to Cytech Technical Three.
 

18 Jun 2025

The Association of Cycle Traders believes the time has come for greater accountability throughout our supply chain, writes ACT Director Jonathan Harrison in an article published for BikeBiz.

16 Jun 2025

The ACT has welcomed the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Cycling and Walking's report "Unregulated and Unsafe: The Threat of Illegal E-Bikes", which calls for urgent Government action to...

11 Jun 2025

A new academic study has found that overzealous pro-cycling campaigners on social media may be inadvertently damaging the case for better cycling infrastructure across the UK.

11 Jun 2025

Bira has welcomed the Welsh Government's consultation on business rate reforms for retail shops, whilst calling for significant improvements to ensure the proposals truly support high street...

10 Jun 2025

Bike thefts across England and Wales have continued their steady decline, according to new data released by cycle insurance specialist Bikmo.

9 Jun 2025

Retailers on Britain's high streets are being encouraged to put themselves forward for the first-ever Love Your High Street Awards, designed to celebrate the small businesses that bring...

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Independents' Day blog: Prepare your business for a successful summer

Posted on in Cycles News , Creative News

Tayprint is a family run Dundee-based printing service that works with a wide variety of independent businesses from throughout the UK. From large format signage to custom printed garments, we’ve had the unique perspective of both adjusting ourselves, as well as witnessing how a wide variety of independent businesses have handled the changing commercial landscape of the last few years.

With a view on interesting trends that developed such as a shift from formal workwear uniforms to one off custom pieces for the print on demand industry, or the pivot from physical advertising to a larger online presence. However, with things swinging back to normal it’s important not to neglect these traditional staples.

With this summer and for Independents Day, especially after the last few years, it is crucial that businesses can make the most of the increased footfall of physical shoppers. With their experience, Independent's Day want to offer advice on some of the ways you can prepare your business for a successful summer.

 

    1. Firstly, before you commit any time or money to advertising it’s important to make sure your branding is unified, both on and offline. I’m sure you’ll know by now how important having an online presence is. However, it’s crucial that it links back to the rest of your business. Especially if you don’t rely on online sales.

    2. With physical shopping making a comeback it’s important to remember physical advertising. Whether it’s a few posters or a large format banner. Now that footfall is up to the highest level since 2019, and the UK being one of the most successful G7 countries for high street recovery, its important you use every opportunity to get your business seen.

    3. With all these big changes its easy to forget the little things, ways to give your business that extra professional touch. Getting a stack of personalised business cards doesn’t mean you need to be giving them to everyone that passes, but having some on display for anyone interested, or professional events, certainly helps legitimise your independent business. Another small addition is an updated uniform. It doesn’t need to be anything fancy, even just a branded hoodie or polo shirt adds that extra professional touch to an otherwise casual outfit.

    4. Lastly don’t forget about your shop itself! Everyone can use some spring cleaning and what better time than for Independents Day. Freshen up your premises and branding with crisp new interior signage. Whether it’s a PVC banner advertising temporary events and sales, or more robust Foamex boards that are ideal for permanent fixtures such as menus, informative signage, or simply just decorative branding. You’ll definitely catch your customers eye with these new additions. It’s also a great opportunity to show off on social media, and it’ll look great next to your Independents Day posters.

 

Find out how you can support Independent's Day here.

 

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