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12 Mar 2024

ACT parent company, Bira – the British Independent Retailers’ Association -  has said that the Chancellor’s decision to reduce national insurance rates could offer a...

11 Mar 2024

The Cycle to Work Alliance and the Association of Cycle Traders have identified common areas of interest around Cycle to Work reform.

11 Mar 2024

Cytech, the internationally recognised training and accreditation scheme for bicycle technicians, has launched a new Facebook group - the Cytech Tech Forum –...

11 Mar 2024

Proposed government changes to regulations and legislation governing EAPCs (Electrically assisted pedal cycles), which could see a doubling in the power of e-bikes to 500W and allowing ebikes to...

8 Mar 2024

Daniel Blackham, editor of industry magazine BikeBiz, has been writing about his experience of completing the Cytech technical one qualification at training provider Spokes People in Milton...

7 Mar 2024

ACT member and Cytech-accredited retailer JE James Cycles – one of the largest independent cycle retailers in Europe – is to open a new 7,874 sq ft store shop in Barnsley town...

6 Mar 2024

Cytech partner Activate Cycle Academy, the largest and most recognised training provider of bike maintenance and technical training courses to the UK’s cycle industry, recently welcomed a...

29 Feb 2024

Retailers looking for a payment solution that facilitates in-person, remote and online payments should look at what’s on offer from ACT partner Global Payments.
 

29 Feb 2024

The ACT is happy to confirm the date for Local Bike Shop Day 2024 as Saturday 4 May, the weekend of the early May Bank Holiday.

27 Feb 2024

The inaugural Cycling Electric magazine Demo Day will take place on Sunday, April 28th, at the Lee Valley VeloPark in London.

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Essex cycle shop On The Brakes named local independent business of the year

Posted on in Business News , Cycles News

ACT member On The Brakes in Leigh on Sea, Essex is celebrating after being named independent business of the year in a local competition set up by a local MP to celebrate the “incredible variety of small businesses” in her constituency.

OTB Van

Nominators said the shop, owned by Matt Johnson, provides “unparalleled services” to the cycling community, was praised for their generosity in service, free training and education in bike service, as well as their commitment to “making cycling affordable”.

Matt told the Southend Echo: “I am absolutely thrilled to have received the award. I have a fantastic client base, and the support from the cycling community and my family has been almost overwhelming. I love giving back to the community when I can, and while starting a small business can be stressful, the support has been incredible.”

The award, which has seen several weeks of voters submitting their choices for the title, has been very popular throughout the community.

On The Brakes provides “outstanding service”, which specialises in bicycle maintenance and custom builds. They also offer free training and education in bicycle repairs and was described as “having a wonderful attitude”, and a “hub of community knowledge”.

Anna Firth MP said: “I am absolutely delighted to award On the Brakes my Independent Shop of the Year award.

“The nominations were absolutely glowing. It has been a fantastic competition, and I have loved seeing all the nominees come flooding in. Southend is so lucky to have so many incredible independent shops, and there has been some staunch competition for the title. On the Brakes is an amazing initiative, and it is fantastic to present them with this title.”

One person who nominated On the Brakes said it is the “epitome of an independent shop deserving of the independent shop of the year award”.

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