BIG INTERVIEW
With the general public starting to seriously consider alternative travel routes that aren’t the car, Harrison hopes that this will begin to positively impact IBDs up and down the country. “The growth in location based cycle rental schemes, low traffic neighbourhoods – though these now risk becoming a political football with a general election on the horizon – and the focus on active travel, even though the budget for cycling and walking in England has been cut by more than 50%, are all motivators to encourage people to take to two wheels which, we believe, will filter through to cycle retail over time,” he said. “Our task continues to be a source for our members to find the best support and the best services to guide their businesses through this patch and emerge stronger as a result. It might sound a cliché, but challenges are also opportunities, and the bike sector has consistently shown its ability to rise to challenges and seize opportunities.”
ACT AND BIRA In June this year, the British Independent Retail Association (BIRA) announced a merger with the ACT. This strategic union brings together more than 1,000 independent retailers, fostering a united group of more than 5,000 retailers encompassing diverse sectors such as cycle shops, pet shops and independent department stores. The enlarged group aims to stand as a “true reflection” of the independent retail sector in the UK. “The day to day experience with the ACT remains very much business as usual,” explained Harrison.
“But it gives our members the chance to be part of something bigger. It gives us – and therefore, you [IBDs] – a louder voice, a higher profile and increased buying power.
“The merger provides a more influential retail business advocacy role with Government as BIRA is extremely active in lobbying on behalf of the small retailer. In recent years BIRA has enjoyed great success in several policy areas, not least in persuading Government to introduce the retail discount on business rates.”
By joining forces, both BIRA and the ACT
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anticipate unlocking further growth opportunities and encouraging collaboration within the cycling sector for all of its members. “It also gives ACT – and therefore BIRA members – access
to a much broader range of services,” said Harrison. “We have always felt that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts and our merger with BIRA gives independent bike shops around the country stronger representation and a louder voice offering better value for money than ever before.”
CYTECH TRAINING An important element of the ACT offering is Cytech, one of the bicycle industry’s premier training and accreditation schemes for mechanics. Cytech is owned by the UK cycle industry via the ACT. “Cytech has now firmly established itself as the largest cycle technical training and accreditation scheme on an international level,” said Harrison.
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