Cycle shops closing – bad timing now that cycling is going into a new golden age?
Over the recent time many bike shops seem to closed. In the case of where I live in City of Westminster near to Victoria Street there used to be 4 cycle shops within easy walking distance, now there are none the nearest cycle shop is about 1.5 miles away.
What is happening?
https://www.cyclerepublic.com/stores-closed
https://www.cyclesurgery.com/?gclid=Cj0 ... u7EALw_wcB
https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/20 ... -takeover/
https://www.theguardian.com/business/20 ... p-closures
https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/20 ... lic-chain/
https://www.bikebiz.com/bike-shop-closu ... the-1960s/
Cycle shops closing – bad timing now that cycling is going into a new golden age?
- Philip Benstead
- Posts: 1948
- Joined: 13 Jan 2007, 7:06pm
- Location: Victoria , London
Cycle shops closing – bad timing now that cycling is going into a new golden age?
Philip Benstead | Life Member Former CTC Councillor/Trustee
Organizing events and representing cyclists' in southeast since 1988
Bikeability Instructor/Mechanic
Organizing events and representing cyclists' in southeast since 1988
Bikeability Instructor/Mechanic
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- Posts: 1903
- Joined: 1 Feb 2018, 10:20am
Re: Cycle shops closing – bad timing now that cycling is going into a new golden age?
The big ‘multiples’ tend to work on the “busy fool” business model. They need big numbers ( throughput / turnover ) to realise a profit. A bit like keeping a bathtub full without the plug being in. The minute the taps turn off, it’s game over. The ‘funders’ that provide their financing won’t put up with that. The small ‘boutique’ bike shops, and independents will fare better, as they work on the high margin, low volume model, and small sole trader models, which don’t rely on big turnover numbers so much.
Re: Cycle shops closing – bad timing now that cycling is going into a new golden age?
It possibly is bad timing, but all of those decisions were made some time ago. I would be surprised if the board of Halfords hadn't had discussions in the last couple of weeks about how they could benefit from the current increase in cycling. Though I doubt that keeping Cycle Republic going was a likely outcome, though none of us will know till it happens.
Re: Cycle shops closing – bad timing now that cycling is going into a new golden age?
Philip Benstead wrote:Cycle shops closing – bad timing now that cycling is going into a new golden age?
Over the recent time many bike shops seem to closed. In the case of where I live in City of Westminster near to Victoria Street there used to be 4 cycle shops within easy walking distance, now there are none the nearest cycle shop is about 1.5 miles away.
What is happening?
I am not convinced about a new "golden age". Evidence from other countries exiting lockdown is that car traffic and car sales shoots up as people avoid public transport. Those cars will soon squeeze the "lycra clad road blocks" (swap for out-group name of choice) off the road.
Possibly the odd city may see some change if their administrations can make new additional cycle infrastructure stick, but the pressure to "free up the roads for business to recover" will soon be mounting up on those schemes.
Locally to me (very rural area), I suspect the four bike shops I know within 25 miles have had a bad time. All initially closed, usually with a note saying "ring if an essential worker needing repairs". Some have partially re-opened "by appointment". I fear they've missed the sales boom.
Re: Cycle shops closing – bad timing now that cycling is going into a new golden age?
I think for Central London / Westminster its is more about the offices being largely closed and therefore ferwer commuters.
Re: Cycle shops closing – bad timing now that cycling is going into a new golden age?
The really bad timing is the county councils like Norfolk who seem to have decided that now is the time to dump loose chippings all over cycle routes. When routes 1, 2, 6 and 11 all have long stretches become rough and skiddy, it starts to feel like targetted discouragement of cycling before it becomes habitual.
MJR, mostly pedalling 3-speed roadsters. KL+West Norfolk BUG incl social easy rides http://www.klwnbug.co.uk
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All the above is CC-By-SA and no other implied copyright license to Cycle magazine.
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Re: Cycle shops closing – bad timing now that cycling is going into a new golden age?
Cycle shops closing but cycle repair shops are booming?
Re: Cycle shops closing – bad timing now that cycling is going into a new golden age?
Bike shop moves to larger premises and on their opening day sell all the bikes they have stock in two hours.
https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/whats-on/ ... st-4163687
I know that they are refurbished but they are bikes being sold from a shop.
https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/whats-on/ ... st-4163687
I know that they are refurbished but they are bikes being sold from a shop.
Re: Cycle shops closing – bad timing now that cycling is going into a new golden age?
As regards Cycle Republic, it's my understanding that the brand is closing as Halfords bring bike stuff back to the 'mother brand'. This might involve a very small number of Cycle Republic stores being rebranded as Halfords (and therefore selling car stuff as well).