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18 Sep 2026

V12 Retail Finance has reported strong summer trading among bike retailers, with June consistently outperforming previous years and finance volumes in both July and August 2026 notably higher...

18 Sep 2026

ACT will host a retailer panel discussion at this year's Cycling Industry News Live (CIN Live), bringing together independent bike dealers to discuss the realities of running a cycle retail...

17 Sep 2026

The Bikeability Trust has launched CycleIn, a new e-learning programme designed to help adults build their cycling skills and confidence on the road.

17 Sep 2026

The London Cycling Festival will return on 20 September 2026, bringing organised, family-friendly cycling events to 19 London boroughs.

16 Sep 2026

A further 11 employment law reforms are expected to take effect in October as part of the rollout of the Employment Rights Act 2025, with WorkNest providing retailers with...

15 Sep 2026

ACT parent company Bira has welcomed the Chancellor's growth ambitions but says independent retailers now need to see the benefit in their own cost base.
 

11 Sep 2026

The ACT will bring independent bike dealers together for a retailer panel at Cycling Industry News Live (CIN Live) 2026, with the IBD Retail Reality Check set to examine the realities of running...

10 Sep 2026

The E-Bike Positive Trust Mark was discussed at a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Cycling & Walking, as industry and safety organisations highlighted progress and the need...

3 Sep 2026

Ahead of Cycling Industry Live 2026, which runs over 20-21 September 2026 at NAEC Stoneleigh in Warwickshire, fresh statistics have emphasised how important the bike trade believes getting...

1 Sep 2026

A risk audit can help retailers identify gaps between their security setup and insurance requirements before a costly incident puts their cover at risk. Joanna Evans, Head of Bikmo for Business,...

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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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