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Rediscovery Centre Opens First Cytech Training Facility in Ireland

The Rediscovery Centre, the National Centre for the Circular Economy in Ireland, today announced its partnership with Cytech, the internationally recognised training and accreditation scheme for...

15 Apr 2024, more…

Talk the torque in the Cytech Tech Forum

Cytech, the internationally recognised training and accreditation scheme for bicycle technicians, has launched a new Facebook group - the Cytech Tech Forum –...

11 Mar 2024, more…

BikeBiz editor gets hands on with Cytech technical one

Daniel Blackham, editor of industry magazine BikeBiz, has been writing about his experience of completing the Cytech technical one qualification at training provider Spokes People in Milton...

8 Mar 2024, more…

JE James Cycles to open first Barnsley store

ACT member and Cytech-accredited retailer JE James Cycles – one of the largest independent cycle retailers in Europe – is to open a new 7,874 sq ft store shop in Barnsley town...

7 Mar 2024, more…

Activate Cycle Academy welcomes British Cycling to Cytech technical one training course

Cytech partner Activate Cycle Academy, the largest and most recognised training provider of bike maintenance and technical training courses to the UK’s cycle industry, recently welcomed a...

6 Mar 2024, more…

Local Bike Shop Day 2024 confirmed for Saturday May 4th.

The ACT is happy to confirm the date for Local Bike Shop Day 2024 as Saturday 4 May, the weekend of the early May Bank Holiday.

29 Feb 2024, more…

ACT tells Parliamentary Committee of the need for urgent systemic change to the Cycle to Work scheme.

With more than 500 cycle businesses having now signed up to its campaign for change to the Cycle to Work scheme, a delegation from the Association of Cycle Traders has met with All Party...

25 Jan 2024, more…

OPSS takes enforcement action over dangerous e-bike battery.

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) is taking enforcement action and warning consumers about a brand of e-bike battery – UPP – that has been linked to a number of...

24 Jan 2024, more…

Cytech training to help Go Outdoors boost number of cycle mechanics by offering apprenticeships to store staff.

Go Outdoors, which operates 75 stores across the UK, has announced an apprenticeship scheme involving Cytech training with the aim of addressing what it terms a nationwide shortage of...

15 Jan 2024, more…

Cytech Scotland training provider launches Young Bike Mechanic Programme to empower Glasgow’s youth.

Bike for Good, the Glasgow-based cycling charity and social enterprise, which delivers Cytech training in Scotland, has announced a Young Bike Mechanic Programme designed to create opportunities...

3 Jan 2024, more…

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ACT re-structures for future retail

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ACT re-structures for future retail

Posted on 20 Oct 2020

Power in numbers

In these most challenging times for retail the Association of Cycle Traders (ACT) is restructuring to become even more focussed on the needs of retailers. By closely aligning the ACT with the many trade organisations and sectors that make up the Independent Retailers Confederation (IRC) we will be working with over 100,000 independent retailers engaging Government, business and consumers.

 

Read the ACT relaunch brochure now

 

The urgency to adapt

Since the lockdown ACT subscribers have reached record levels and the industry has benefitted from a phenomenal spike in demand, especially for workshop services. But, as the pandemic continues to impact the economy, an already fragile high street is witnessing business closures and changes in consumer buying habits that are altering the face of retail forever. As our very existence comes under threat, it is essential that the retail sector works together in partnership, sharing knowledge, buying power and resources to adapt for future retail

 

The role of the ACT

The ACT has been accessed by businesses more than any other cycling organisation; we have an established fundamental role, knowledge and representation. Following lengthy consultation, the remodelled ACT is looking to prioritise retail turnover, engagement with consumers, increased Government engagement on business, alongside our work with cycling advocacy bodies and support services for a business's greatest asset - your people.

The ACT is the largest active leisure member of the IRC and passionately retains its heritage in cycling, continuing to work with the numerous organisations engaged with cycle and mobility advocacy in the UK, especially where activities impact directly upon the business community. At such a critical time for business the ACT's key focus will be on extended support and development in partnership, rather than duplication of established activities.

 

Read the ACT relaunch brochure now

 

Come one come all

A new membership structure will allow all businesses to embrace the ACT as their trade body; more accessible to any business who can benefit from a selection of services free of charge. Participants at every level will benefit from extended business support with new services being added to the portfolio alongside a reduced pricing structure to cater for all.

 

People and skills come first

The ACT's focus on recruitment, skilling and retention is becoming ever more critical as the changes in retail rapidly identify the need for investment in people and skills. The Cytech programme is currently undertaking expansion plans in all markets globally to support the worldwide demand for cycle technicians, encouragingly with increased Government support.

 

The way forward

The ACT is adapting with the objective of bringing the cycle business community closer together, with a priority focus upon speciality retail. This will not only better serve businesses and the people employed in these businesses, but will increase consumer engagement and encourage growth in cycling participation.

For further information please refer to the ACT relaunch brochure.

 

Read the ACT relaunch brochure now

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