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Small Business Strategy Inquiry 2025 - ACT and Bira call for members to share their voice

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... Read more…

Beyond the discount: Restoring integrity to the cycle supply chain

18 Jun 2025

The Association of Cycle Traders believes the time has come for greater accountability throughout our supply chain, writes ACT Director Jonathan Harrison in an article published for BikeBiz.
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Bira welcomes Wales' business rates proposals but calls for key improvements

11 Jun 2025

Bira has welcomed the Welsh Government's consultation on business rate reforms for retail shops, whilst calling for significant improvements to ensure the proposals truly support high street... Read more…

New awards launch to champion Britain's independent high street heroes

9 Jun 2025

Retailers on Britain's high streets are being encouraged to put themselves forward for the first-ever Love Your High Street Awards, designed to celebrate the small businesses that bring... Read more…

"Tectonic shift" in employment law threatens independent retailer viability, warns Bira podcast

6 Jun 2025

Independent retailers are facing a "generational" transformation of employment law that could fundamentally change how small businesses operate, according to the final episode of Bira's first... Read more…

Retailers hope warm weather and bank holidays will boost high street sales

16 May 2025

ACT parent company Bira has said that members are hopeful the warm weather, Easter weekend and upcoming bank holidays will provide a much-needed boost to high street sales.
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Economic growth surges to 0.7%, but "April reality check" looms for high street retailers

15 May 2025

UK economy delivers strongest quarterly performance in a year despite forecasts of business downturn.
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Communities come together for Local Bike Shop Day 2025 celebrations

13 May 2025

Local Bike Shop Day 2025 brought a wave of... Read more…

ACT parent company Bira welcomes Bank of England's latest interest rate cut

8 May 2025

ACT parent company Bira has welcomed the Bank of England's decision to reduce interest rates from 4.5% to 4.25%, calling it a "much-needed boost" for the retail sector, including for cycling... Read more…

ACT parent company Bira responds to Beales' "Rachel Reeves Closing Down Sale" as iconic store makes final protest

8 May 2025

ACT parent company Bira has responded to the news that the 144-year-old Beales department store is staging a "Rachel Reeves Closing Down Sale" in its final weeks of trading, with giant yellow... Read more…

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Freedom To Pay campaign promotes the use of cash in stores

Posted on in Business News, Cycles News

Consumer groupcash Which? is developing a voluntary cash pledge campaign to advertise cash acceptance in commercial premises.

The Freedom to Pay campaign is based on the belief that cash is a necessity millions couldn't live without, and a backup for everyone when online systems fail. But with banks and free-to-use ATMs disappearing at an alarming rate, Which? have voiced concerns that some people may be left behind.

"We're heading in the direction of being a cashless society, but there are still barriers out there for a lot of people. It's really important people don't get left behind - and I'm trying my hardest not to be." - Gem Turner

Gem is not alone.

Small business owners. Some people living with disabilities. Rural and isolated communities. People who have to live on tight budgets. All sorts of people up and down the country rely on cash.

1.9 million people rely on cash for nearly every transaction they make. And 8 million people would struggle in a cashless society.

Retailers will be able to sign up to the pledge by committing to accept cash as a payment method and communicate this in store. Pledging will allow retailers to signal cash-friendliness to customers, including for those unable to pay using other methods.

The pledge is focussed on retailers selling essential goods and services, is not tied to a specific time period and requires not showing a preference between cash and other payment methods. Retailers signing up will be able to use Which? ‘recommended provider' communications tools and promoted under the Freedom to Pay campaign.

 

Sign the petition

 

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