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21 Oct 2026

Independent retailers, including cycle shops and IBDs, face a looming cost crisis unless the Chancellor acts in the Budget, ACT parent company Bira has warned.

20 Oct 2026

The E-Bike Positive scheme has won the Cycle Advocacy of the Year award at the 2026 BikeBiz Awards, recognising its work to improve e-bike safety, raise standards and help consumers identify...

16 Oct 2026

ACT parent company Bira has welcomed plans to make online marketplaces collect VAT but warns that proposed exemptions could undermine the crackdown.

14 Oct 2026

A strong security setup can help retailers reduce the risk of repeat incidents and protect their insurability. Joanna Evans, Head of Bikmo for Business, explains in the next instalment of a...

13 Oct 2026

Several e-bikes have been rejected at the UK border in recent weeks after checks found serious safety and compliance problems, including fire risks, inadequate documentation and components.

12 Oct 2026

The ACT is hosting an online retailer support session on Thursday 22 October at 10:30am to help independent bicycle dealers affected by the administration of Accell Group UK.
 

9 Oct 2026

E-Bike Positive has gained further recognition from MPs, Government ministers and Transport for London (TfL), strengthening its position as a safety trust mark helping consumers identify safe,...

8 Oct 2026

Deliveroo is piloting new speed and GPS technology to identify riders using illegal e-bikes, with riders found to be repeatedly travelling at sustained speeds beyond the...

1 Oct 2026

Europe will need around 105,000 additional bike mechanics by 2032, according to new industry analysis which says the sector is already 45,000 mechanics short of meeting current demand.

29 Sep 2026

More than £9.3 million is being invested in walking, wheeling and cycling projects across Glasgow, as new data shows record levels of cycling on several of the city’s protected...

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Chancellor's High Street Roundtable | Campaign Update from ACT parent company Bira

Posted on in Business News , Cycles News

The Chancellor held a roundtable discussion on a future high street strategy last week, with Bira the sole voice representing smaller retail businesses.

Andrew Goodacre
Andrew Goodacre

Read an update on Bira's place at a roundtable discussion with the Chancellor from Andrew Goodacre, CEO.


Hello,

As some of you know Bira was invited to a roundtable discussion with the Chancellor last week. The purpose of the meeting was to start discussions on a future high street strategy. In response to criticism about the increase in business rates, The Chancellor announced the development of a new strategy for high streets.

At the meeting there were various stakeholders from retail and hospitality, but only Bira representing the smaller retail businesses. There was a lot of good discussions focused on planning, partnerships, investment and making it easier to change businesses and places. Whilst we did not directly discuss the increasing tax burden on high street businesses, there was an acceptance that this also needs reviewing.

This meeting was the first step on any new high street strategy and we should be proud that Bira was invited to such a meeting and our views are welcome. We do not need to ‘re-invent any wheels’ and we need to give businesses the chance to succeed – those were our overriding messages, and we will keep pushing these objectives


Thank you.

Andrew


 Make your voice heard as part of the independent cycling retail sector, and join the conversation on this vital issue, on Bira Connect.

 

 

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