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17 Apr 2026

The Bikeability Trust is set to receive £78 million as part of a £108 million Government funding package to boost walking, wheeling and cycling across England, marking the largest...

17 Apr 2026

An independent bike shop has reopened its doors less than 24 hours after a ram raid saw around £40,000 worth of stock stolen and a further £50,000 in damage caused to the premises.

16 Apr 2026

The ACT is urging independent bike shops to enter the first ever Local Bike Shop Awards before entries close on Sunday 19th April.

16 Apr 2026

Consumer finance is entering a new phase in the UK, shaped by tighter regulation, evolving customer expectations, and increased scrutiny on outcomes. We’ve explained the key things you...

10 Apr 2026

It’s easy to forget the moment your love for bike shops began. Mat Clark, owner of BRINK - a UK-based business specialising in cycling retail, brand strategy, and industry insight -...

8 Apr 2026

Bike frame and fork protection specialists BikeWrap has confirmed its sponsorship of the Cytech Pub Quiz, part of the build up to Local Bike Shop Week next month.

2 Apr 2026

Bikebook has announced a new integration with Shopify

1 Apr 2026

An awards scheme celebrating independent bike shops that go above and beyond for their communities launches this week.

30 Mar 2026

ACT parent company Bira has warned that falling retail sales in February are an early sign of consumers reining in their spending amid growing economic uncertainty.

26 Mar 2026

A flagship cycling borough in outer London is poised to lift its eight-year ban on dockless e-bikes, with Waltham Forest Labour Party pledging to introduce a scheme if it retains control of...

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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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