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Devastating Budget Delivers Triple Blow to Independent Retailers, Says ACT and Bira

30 Oct 2024

The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) and the ACT have condemned today's Budget as the most damaging for independent retailers in recent memory, with... Read more…

Retailers paying one-third of all UK business rates despite making up only 9% of economy

30 Oct 2024

Retailers and hospitality businesses are paying three times their economic share in business rates, according to analysis by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and UK Hospitality.
Read more…

How much cash do you still accept? Independent cycling retailers can respond to this survey today

30 Oct 2024

ACT parent company Bira is working with UK Finance and other organisations who form the UK’s wholesale cash industry to gain vital information to ensure businesses get the best possible... Read more…

Bira Conference a huge success with ACT members in attendance

25 Oct 2024

ACT members were in attendance at the hugely successful Bira Conference in London last week, featuring an inspiring line-up of speakers providing valuable insights from independent retail... Read more…

Bira cautiously welcomes retail sales growth but calls for continued support

11 Oct 2024

ACT parent company Bira has responded to the BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor for September 2024
Read more…

FSB launches blueprint to revitalise UK high streets and boost tourism

3 Oct 2024

The Federation of Small Businesses has launched a new initiative, which it says aims to transform high streets across the UK, by advancing economic, social, and cultural benefits, while also... Read more…

Award-winning gin distillery to open new shop in Morecambe

3 Oct 2024

A family-run gin company is set to open a new distillery and shop in Morecambe.
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‘Largest independent bookshop in the country’ to open in York

3 Oct 2024

Independent booksellers Topping & Company will open a new bookshop over multiple floors in central York in autumn 2025.
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Three quarters of British shoppers would ban paper receipts on eco grounds, new data shows

3 Oct 2024

3 in 4 Britons (77%) would ban paper receipts if they knew how many trees were cut down to generate them – and millennials are the most eco-conscious (rising to 87%).
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Bira Urges Chancellor to Safeguard Independent Retail in Upcoming Autumn Statement

24 Sep 2024

The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) is set to address critical issues facing the UK's high streets at its upcoming Annual Conference, marking the event's return after a six-year... Read more…

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NI high street £100 voucher site opens for shoppers to "spend local"

Posted on in Business News, Cycles News, Political News

Northern Ireland's high street voucher scheme is now open to everyone aged 18 and over to apply online for a £100 "spend local" card to use in shops before the end of November.

However, there were problems with the application page on the NI Direct site after it opened on Monday morning.

Economy Minister Gordon Lyons said "not everybody has to rush at once" to it.

Some people have complained on social media that the website had crashed them while others said they had not received a verification message after entering their email address.

Mr Lyons acknowledged there was "huge demand".

He said the verification messages were being sent "in a staged process just to make sure the website isn't overwhelmed all at once".

"There is a card available for everyone that is eligible so I would encourage people to apply for that over the coming weeks," he said.

The cards are expected to arrive between seven and 10 days after you apply.

They can be used in any shop with a card machine but cannot be used online or for gambling or legal services like penalties.

A phone application service will open on 11 October for anyone who does not have access to the internet.

The online and phone application processes will remain open until 25 October.

The £145m scheme is designed to boost activity in businesses hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic, like non-essential retail and hospitality.

Applications to the High Street Spend Local Scheme can be made through this page on the NI Direct website

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