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9 Jul 2025

A recent BBC Breakfast segment has sparked backlash from the cycling community over its portrayal of e-bikes, with critics accusing the broadcaster of conflating legal e-bikes with illegal,...

8 Jul 2025

More than 30 locations across Scotland have seen a major rise in the number of people cycling, according to newly released data.

7 Jul 2025

Sixteen illegally upgraded e-bikes capable of speeds up to 40mph have been seized and disposed of in a joint enforcement operation in Birmingham city centre.

7 Jul 2025

Bristol-based Cytech training provider and ACT member Life Cycle has launched its award-winning Bikes Beyond Bars programme at HMP Bullingdon, expanding a project that has already impacted lives...

4 Jul 2025

New data from Strava reveals a major surge in cycling across the UK, with Gen Z and Millennials leading the charge.

3 Jul 2025

Shimano has launched an urgent investigation into what it describes as a “critical” shortage of skilled bike mechanics across Europe, warning that the situation threatens to...

2 Jul 2025

MPs have called on Amazon and eBay to tighten controls after e-bikes and chargers flagged as serious fire risks were found for sale on their platforms.

25 Jun 2025

The E-Bike Positive campaign has seen major success in the first half of 2025, with its message reaching nearly 8 million people across the UK through high-profile media coverage and growing...

20 Jun 2025

The House of Commons Business and Trade Committee has asked the ACT, and its parent company Bira, to help them reach out to small business retailers across the country, for their quick input on...

20 Jun 2025

Activate Cycle Academy has reopened its Cytech training facility in Darlington, offering a full range of courses from Home Mechanic up to Cytech Technical Three.
 

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Frankie Bridge helps launch search to find Britain's Best Small Shop of 2020

Posted on in Business News , Cycles News

Singer and now author Frankie Bridge has helped launch the search to find the UK's Best Small Shop of 2020.

Visiting independent bookshop Linghams in Heswall, the Wirral, Frankie, whose new book Open: Why Asking For Help Can Save Your Life is now available at booksellers across the UK, kickstarted this year's competition for which entries are now open.

The annual competition, which culminates in a ceremony at the Houses of Parliament, highlights the best of Britain's independent retail sector, celebrating the commitment and creativity of independent retailers on the UK's High Streets and the central role they play in their local communities. It is managed by the Independent Retailers Confederation (IRC).

Previous winners have included Bristol-based delicatessen Papadeli, the 2019 winner, and The Mainstreet Trading Company, a combined bookshop, café, deli & homeware shop based in St Boswells, in the rural Scottish Borders, which won in 2018.

To enter, shops must be an independent retailer, defined as a non-corporate business selling goods or services to the public for use or consumption rather than for resale, from a business rated premises in the UK.

Competition entrants will be challenged with promoting the benefits of their retail offering to consumers with part of the selection process being voted on by the general public on the contest's website.

"Despite the challenging retail environment, there is plenty of evidence that people value and think it is important to support small local businesses and independent retailers"

"Despite the challenging retail environment, there is plenty of evidence that people value and think it is important to support small local businesses and independent retailers," explains Mark Walmsley, Chairman of the Independent Retailers Confederation.

"These retailers sit at the heart of communities up and down the country, offering a meeting place, not to mention choice, diversity, innovation and genuine customer service. That's what we are celebrating with these awards. We have a bright and vibrant independent retail sector and it's important that we put it in the spotlight."

2019 research by the British Independent Retailers Association (member of the IRC) found that independent retailers opened 4.5% more shops in 2018 than a year earlier, with independents accounting for 64% of all retail and leisure units in Great Britain.

To enter your shop for the Best Small Shops Competition 2020, visit https://www.indieretail.uk/best-small-shops/.

Enter the Best Small Shops competition now

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