{$inpagemarkup}

Search News

Results: 1-10 of 666


ACT parent company Bira responds to Prime Minister's 'Bobbies on the Beat' plan

11 Apr 2025

Bira has cautiously welcomed the Prime Minister's announcement this week on plans to put 'thousands of Bobbies back on the Beat' with a new neighbourhood policing guarantee.
Read more…

ACT parent company Bira warns of 'Atrocious April' as shop price inflation rises

1 Apr 2025

Bira has voiced serious concerns over the latest figures from the BRC-NIQ Shop Price Index for March 2025.
Read more…

ACT parent company Bira says Spring Statement fails to address high street crisis

26 Mar 2025

ACT parent company Bira has said the Chancellor's Spring Statement delivered today has failed to address the "perfect storm" of cost pressures facing independent retailers across the UK,... Read more…

ACT parent company Bira outlines key priorities ahead of Spring Budget

25 Mar 2025

ACT parent company Bira has outlined its key priorities ahead of the Chancellor's Spring Budget statement.
Read more…

Bristol-based cycling charity Life Cycle now offering Cytech training courses

20 Mar 2025

Cytech, the internationally recognised training and accreditation scheme for bicycle mechanics, have partnered with Bristol-based charity Life Cycle to offer a range of bicycle mechanic... Read more…

High street 'death knell' – indie retailers, including cycle shops, shutting doors ahead of April tax rises

12 Mar 2025

Towns and cities across Britain are already seeing a wave of closures as independent businesses shut their doors ahead of April’s triple tax burden, including those in the cycling retail... Read more…

Research shows UK businesses hiring more as consumer confidence lifts

5 Mar 2025

New research has revealed a recent uptick in UK consumer confidence, leading to increased hiring by businesses, with the retail sector responding positively to signs of economic resilience.
Read more…

Independent cycle shop becomes first retailer to stock new local bike brand

28 Feb 2025

Independent cycling retailer and ACT member Velo Fit has become the first to stock a new brand of bikes focused on combining quality and affordability.
Read more…

Bira cautiously welcomes new crime and policing bill to tackle retail crime across high street businesses

26 Feb 2025

ACT parent company Bira has cautiously welcomed Labour's Crime and Policing Bill but is calling for urgent action and immediate funding to address the surge in retail crime affecting independent... Read more…

Bira warns of 'troubled times ahead' despite interest rate cut

7 Feb 2025

ACT parent company Bira has warned that retailers across Britain face troubled times ahead despite today's Bank of England interest rate cut to 4.5%, as the Bank halves its growth forecast for... Read more…

Back to news menu

Large number of bike shops help Cambridge be as named best city for independent retailers

Posted on in Business News, Cycles News

According to a new survey, Cambridge is the best in the country for independent shopping to support small businesses. The study found that many of the city's small businesses turned out to be bike shops.

Cambridge bikes and posters

South Western Railway analysed the total number of independent shops in each town and city against population figures to reveal the home to the highest number of independent retailers per 100,000 people. Cambridge topped the list with 35 retailers per 100,000 people. Within that, the city known for its large cycling population boasts 19 independent bike shops.

SWR also analysed how many shoppers would be boycotting Black Friday this year, a discount that small businesses may struggle to keep up with. They have said that last year 85 per cent of independent businesses rejected the discount event, and this year that figure is still in question as small businesses struggle to survive the rising cost of running a business.

This year's study found that 43% of British shoppers are planning to boycott Black Friday this year, and 42% are worried about how the event impacts independent retailers. Calli Ward, Head of Marketing at South Western Railway says: “Nothing beats getting to know a city through the businesses and people that make it what it is.

"Being able to give back by supporting small, independent retailers is so important, no matter where you are in the UK. Whether you are visiting a new place, or discovering local gems, consider grabbing your next coffee, next gift for a friend, or new bike gear from an indie shop. There are plenty across the UK offering bespoke, independent shopping experiences who would no doubt appreciate your custom.”

Back to news menu

Useful links

If you have any other queries please contact us.