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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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Seaside town bucks the trend with indie retail thriving

Posted on in Business News , Cycles News

Weston-super-Mare seems to be one town in the UK bucking the national trend, with new shops opening and businesses reporting an increase in trade, according to a report by Bristol Live.

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The bike hub has seen local e-bike retailer UFO grow their well-known local business and expand into an additional space and now offers a bike hire scheme for visitors and residents. Popular Bristol based coffee business, Can’t Dance Coffee, has also expanded, bringing its coffee and baked delights to what was previously the Food Court.

Traders in The Sovereign say they have seen an increase in footfall over the past few months - some which has been attributed to the additional 500,000 visitors coming to Weston-super-Mare .

The Sovereign manager Alan Smith said the centre offered a good retail mix.
“Moving away from just mainstream retailers is essential for the continued growth of The Sovereign. Thanks to the support of the local community we can grow and bring more local retailers."
Other new businesses have sprung up in Weston High Street over the last year, including Imagination Fascination play centre, Maxxisave in the former Argos store and the Captain Kandy sweet shop on the High Street. Orchard Meadows has also welcomed some new faces including Vintage Abs clothes shop and Christopher’s Chocolates.

Although Weston does still have several empty shops, retailers said its future is looking good. Weston BID chairman and town centre trader Paul Batts said: “We have a really good selection of independent shops, especially in Grove Village and Orchard Meadows.
 
“We have also seen new, specialist and unique businesses opening in our areas and in the High Street in some of the smaller units. We are noticing post pandemic that people are more interested in supporting their local independent shops and our independent offering in Weston is getting stronger and stronger, making it a great shopping destination all year round.”

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