Working for the interests of independent cycle retailers
Political advocacy is an increasingly important activity within the ACT. Small independently owned businesses cannot expect to influence the people who have such a big impact on our businesses and our industries, but by working together our combined voice can be heard and can make a real difference.
The ACT is represented in a number of different organisations, all of whom are working for the interests of speciality retailing. Working within this context also gives us a fascinating insight into some of the big issues affecting small businesses as well as a wealth of useful information, which we can feed back into the ACT community to better inform and educate our members.
Through the ACT's relationship with the Independent Retailer's
Confederation (see below) we work with a variety of other trade
associations to ensure we are aware all political legislations, news or
changes which may affect our members.
We aim to bring these political updates to members' attention
through our relationship with the Association of Convenience Stores
(ACS) who is actively involved in all relevant government policies.
We do this with monthly Political Updates which are filed in the Business Support section of the ACT's partner website, ActSmart, as well as the most relevant news pieces being features on the ActSmart news page.
Monthly Political Updates are available to Silver members and above,
however all members have access to the news pages where the most
relevant updates for your industry will be posted.
The All Party Parliamentary Group for Cycling and Walking (APPGCW) exists to promote the use of bicycles as a mode of transport and to raise the awareness and status of cycling.
There are a number of APPGCW meetings throughout the year, that the ACT regularly attends to represent the industry.
ACT members will also be invited to attend the meetings to discuss current political issues within the cycling industry. We will notify all ACT members when the opportunity has arisen for you to attend an APPGCW meeting and any interested members will need to register their interest with the ACT by emailing us the attendees full name, business trading name; personal phone no. and personal e-mail.
ACT members can also access the latest Parliamentary Monitoring from the APPGCW and other useful information for bike shops on our resources page here.
The Independent Retailers Confederation (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 IRC provides a lobbying platform for a variety of trade associations
with shared interests, increasing the profile and voice of independent
retailing within Government and Parliament.
What the IRC brings the IBD
For over two decades the ACT has worked with the IRC representing the interests of well over 100,000 specialist retailers; over recent months the challenges we have all faced together has underwritten the value of that partnership, even more so as we look towards the future of the high street.
- Unrivalled access to Government on business matters impacting speciality retail
- Extensive and ever increasing engagement opportunities with the public/new customers
- A width of knowledge and experience in delivering business support across multiple sectors, high streets and shopping parades throughout the UK
- Increased buying power and influence with commercial, Government and national agencies
- Information advice and best practice standards for IndieRetail
- The opportunity to rebuild the high street together for the future
- Organises the national Best Small Shops competition which celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit of independent retailers
The IRC has three work streams, sharing intelligence and ideas on their respective work in the fields of political, commercial and skills development. Find out more by visiting indieretail.org
All members of the ACT UK cycles community care kept updated with our involvement in political advocacy.
Click here to join the ACT, there is a free membership option available.
