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18 Sep 2025

Cycling Scotland has highlighted the crucial distinction between legal and illegal e-bikes, warning that confusion risks undermining public trust in a technology that is helping thousands switch...

17 Sep 2025

Cycling retail specialists including the ACT has praised a recent Guardian feature on the topic of e-bikes and the use of illegal and unregulated models, with the piece providing...

15 Sep 2025

Dublin-based cycle workshop the Rediscovery Centre has achieved Cytech accreditation for its workshop team after completing advanced training with Activate Cycle Academy, an Oxford-based...

12 Sep 2025

Norwegian company Ampliuz is aiming to replicate the widespread network of EV chargers with a dedicated public charging system for e-bikes.

11 Sep 2025

With D2C bike brands facing significant headwinds, local bike have seen modest but real improvements in profits and prospects. Partnerships like ACT and Bikmo are helping independents strengthen...

5 Sep 2025

The average cycle trip in England lasted 24 minutes in 2024, remaining consistent with the previous year, new figures from the National Travel Survey have revealed.

4 Sep 2025

A panel event hosted by ACT Director Jonathan Harrison will focus on retailer experiences and how they are adapting to a number of challenges within the sector at this year’s inaugural...

3 Sep 2025

Cycling just two miles to work can improve heart health by up to 30 per cent compared with driving, new research has shown.

3 Sep 2025

The UK is far behind most European countries in e-bike sales, according to new research from ACT member Paul's Cycles.

2 Sep 2025

A barber's shop in Northern Ireland has proved that it's a cut above the rest by picking up the inaugural Love Your High Street Award 2025, following a public vote that attracted over 2,230...

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Cautious welcome from business leaders for new PM Sunak

Posted on in Business News , Cycles News , Outdoor News, Political News

As the economic clouds darken, business leaders have tentatively welcomed the arrival of Rishi Sunak as the country’s new prime minister.

Rishi SunakThis follows indicators showing optimism among business leaders falling this month to its lowest level since April 2020, during the first lockdown of the Covid pandemic. Rising inflation, a period of political uncertainty and increasing borrowing costs, which impacted on growth potential, were to blame.

Jeff Moody Commercial Director of bira said: "We welcome the news that Rishi Sunak is the new British Prime Minister, and we hope this ends the period of uncertainty for businesses and the country as a whole.

"Anything that will stabilise financial markets and improve consumer confidence will help the High Street in such a vital trading period is key and we hope that they restore the much-needed confidence in the financial market after so many weeks of turbulence.

"Now we ask for the Prime Minister and his cabinet to concentrate on reducing the cost burden now with prompt support for business on energy and tax burdens but also in the long term by committing to reducing the rates burden on 'Bricks and Mortar' retailers to prevent further closures announcements," he added.

Tony Danker, the director general of the CBI, said the former chancellor had a “track record of seeing the economy through difficult times” during the Covid pandemic.

“He is now coming in at a time of great uncertainty with tough choices ahead. The new prime minister can lose no time in easing the impact of market turmoil on households and firms and helping to restore fiscal credibility.”

Shevaun Haviland, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said his appointment came after a “hugely damaging” few months of political and economic uncertainty. “We cannot afford to see any more flip-flopping on policies – the UK’s businesses need a sustainable, long-term economic plan they can believe in.”

Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive at the BRC, said that with consumer confidence at historically low levels, the new Prime Minister “will need to provide certainty to households and support them through the cost-of-living crisis.”

“Retailers are playing their part in supporting their customers, shielding them from the worst of rising costs resulting from a weaker pound, tight labour market and war in Ukraine. However, these efforts are threatened by the £800m bombshell of additional business rates that will hit retailers in April – a 10% rise that far outstrips sales growth over the last year. To support consumers at this difficult time, government should freeze business rates and reform the broken transitional relief system, or it will be households that pay through higher prices,” she added.

 

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