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16 Mar 2023

Industry experts and trade associations in the retail sector have been expressing their disappointment at the support offered to retailers in the Chancellor’s Budget.

14 Mar 2023

New data shows that a majority of the UK public oppose the rising and unregulated costs British businesses face for simply accepting payments. With the cost of doing business at record levels,...

13 Mar 2023

From saving energy and lighting costs, to using biodegradable packaging and prolonging a product’s lifespan, Drapers Magazine has been looking at how independent retailers can improve...

8 Mar 2023

As the world marks International Women’s Day, the Association of Cycle Traders is among several industry organisations backing a new Diversity in Cycling campaign, a project led by the...

8 Mar 2023

Leicester residents are being offered the chance to borrow an e-bike free of charge as part of a new extended scheme to encourage more people to travel on two wheels. Would-be cyclists can loan...

7 Mar 2023

The UK economy could be boosted by £1.1 billion if one in five car journeys were taken by a shared e-scooter or e-bike, according to a new study funded by leading mobility firm Dott.

7 Mar 2023

Hundreds more bikes from Brighton’s former cycle scheme are being sent to Africa to support communities there.

2 Mar 2023

What is not in doubt is that a significant number of UK shoppers either wouldn’t make a purchase if retail finance was not available or would not spend as much as they do without being...

23 Feb 2023

The ACT will be joined by key service partners when leading trade show iceBike* returns as an in-person event for the first time since 2020 on Sunday 5th March and Monday 6th March at the...

22 Feb 2023

The Annual Market Data Report for 2022 from The Bicycle Association (BA) reports annual cycle sales in the UK fell to 1.88 million units in 2022, a 20-year low, 27% below pre-COVID levels in...

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ACT and ActSmart to meet with business minister Paul Scully to discuss high street initiatives

Posted on in Business News , Cycles News

OParliamentn Wednesday 19th May the ACT and ActSmart, along with other key members of the Independent Retailers Confederation (IRC), will be partaking in a meeting with government officials in regard to the wellbeing of the high street.

The IRC is a well-established organisation, bringing together like-minded trade associations with interests in the small and independent retail sector. The IRC represents c.100,000 independent retailers throughout the UK, creating a growing retail network, committed to the development and sharing of best practice among associations and their members engaged in the independent retail sector. 

The meeting is the third one of its kind, following a conference with Small Business and Enterprise Minister Paul Scully at the end of last year and another one in February. Previous meetings evaluated any lessons that we have so far learned from national lockdowns and ways in which we can move forward from this using government support. Read more about that here.

The lockdown has heavily affected high street retailers, impacting both essential and non-essential retailers in different ways. The ACT has been collating feedback from IBDs in regard to ongoing issues that are being experienced and any queries that we have been unable to find solutions for. This information has then been combined with other IRC member feedback with following topics being agreed upon:

  • Feedback on the re-opening of the high street
  • Landlord Tenants
  • Brexit - Export/ VAT/ Ecommerce and barriers to SMEs
  • Permitted Development Rights

The IRC will be meeting with the minister once again early in the summer. If you would like to provide any feedback or suggestions that could potentially be discussed in the meeting please email info@indieretail.uk.

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