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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...

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...

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Bookshops most popular choice as 40% of Britons dream of starting their own small business

Posted on in Business News , Cycles News

Four in ten Britons dream of starting their own small business, with bookshops the most popular choice, according to new research by American Express Shop Small.

Bookshop owner

In the survey, cafés, fashion boutiques, restaurants and pubs made up the top five aspirational start-up businesses, with people most tempted by the prospect of having more independence (28%) and pursuing a passion (22%).

Though it remains a dream for many, those who have taken the plunge to run their own business are greatly admired, especially for their determination (57% said they admired this quality in owners of independent businesses), passion (56%) and their creativity (37%).

Top 10 dream businesses Brits would like to own:
1. Bookshop
2. Café
3. Fashion boutique
4. Restaurant
5. Pub
6. Record store
7. Bakery
8. Market stall
9. Gym
10. Hardware shop

Now in its tenth year, this year’s American Express Shop Small campaign aims to support small businesses by encouraging the nation to back their high street and enjoy the benefits of ‘shopping small’, whatever their budget.

Daniel Edelman, Vice President & UK General Manager, Merchant Services at American Express, said: “Many of the small business on our high street represent the fulfilment of someone’s dreams; although it can be incredibly rewarding, it takes a lot of hard work and determination. That’s why we’ve been running our Shop Small campaign in the UK since 2012 to celebrate these small business owners by encouraging everyone to shop small, whether on everyday purchases or a little festive treat.”

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