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21 Aug 2026

A new report from the Urban Transport Group (UTG) has called for greater investment in walking, wheeling and cycling to make public transport journeys more accessible and create better-connected...

21 Aug 2026

Free entry is on offer for visitors to Cycling Industry News Live 2026, with the two-day cycling industry event returning to NAEC Stoneleigh in Warwickshire on Sunday 20 and Monday 21...

20 Aug 2026

The City of London Police’s dedicated Cycling Team has seized more than 800 non-compliant e-bikes and e-motorbikes since launching in 2023, with the specialist unit adapting its tactics as...

20 Aug 2026

Falling gig-economy pay and increasing competition are creating incentives for delivery riders to use faster, illegal electric vehicles to complete more orders, while also creating wider...

19 Aug 2026

London’s Cycleway network has grown five-fold over the past decade to 450km, but cycling industry campaigners say more needs to be done across the UK to replicate the progress made in the...

4 Aug 2026

The Association of Cycle Traders (ACT) and the Bicycle Association (BA) are delighted to announce that the E-Bike Positive campaign has been shortlisted in the Cycle Advocacy category at the...

4 Aug 2026

The Metropolitan Police have seized more than 2,500 illegal electric bikes and e-scooters so far this year – already exceeding the total number seized during the whole of 2025.

3 Aug 2026

The Bikeability Trust has launched Cycles for Children, a new national fundraising appeal designed to help children continue cycling after completing their Bikeability training.

27 Jul 2026

 What is Sofa to Saddle? Think couch to 5K but with bikes! Sofa to Saddle is the new app that is going to have everyone talking, and cycling.
 

24 Jul 2026

Cycle finance values rose by almost 18% year on year in Q2 2026, according to new data from ACT service partner V12 Retail Finance, suggesting consumers continue to make higher-value cycling...

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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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