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7 Nov 2024

Torq Zone Academy proudly celebrates 10 years as the pioneering institution for bicycle technician trainingRead more…

7 Nov 2024

Accell Group, owner of Raleigh, Lapierre, Babboe, and other bike brands, has announced that its parts and accessories inventory levels are back to normal, with bike inventory expected to follow...

6 Nov 2024

Glasgow is set to receive a substantial boost for cycling infrastructure and community facilities, with over £500,000 of funding to be provided to two major projects.

6 Nov 2024

ACT members won numerous awards and dominated certain category nominations at last week’s BikeBiz Awards 2024 in Birmingham.

1 Nov 2024

Independent retailers across Britain have reacted with dismay to yesterday's Budget, with many warning of store closures, job losses and cancelled expansion plans.

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...

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.

30 Oct 2024

eBay is tightening regulations on e-bike and e-bike battery sales in the UK from 31 October, in a change aimed at prioritising consumer safety.

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...

29 Oct 2024

Eighteen organisations, including Cycling UK, Greenpeace, The Centre for Mental Health, and The Association of Directors of Public Health, have urged the Chancellor to allocate 10% of the...

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Local cycling hubs to close as UK manufacturer looks to support independent bike dealers

Posted on in Business News , Cycles News

UK cycling manufacturer Whyte Bikes has announced the closure of its three cycling experience hubs following a major shift in the company’s strategy, which includes supporting independent bike dealers, under its new ownership.

Swinley Forest Cycling Hub

The centres, including Quench Cycles at Bedgebury Forest, the bike hire concession at High Lodge in Thetford Forest and the Swinley Forest Bike Hub, will all cease operating by the end of October under the current ownership as Whyte Bikes seeks a potential buyer of the locations.

The closures mark a shift in Whyte Bikes’ plans for the hubs, which were initially acquired to expand the company’s customer engagement through experience centres that allowed riders to test and hire bicycles in unique outdoor settings. Whyte Bikes took on the site at Swinley Forest less than 12 months ago, however the company is now intending to turn its focus onto supporting independent bike dealers and international distributors.

In a statement, Nikki Hawyes, who became CEO of Whyte Bikes in February this year, explained the rationale behind the decision. She said: "Our focus remains on supporting independent bike dealers in the UK, as well as our valued international distributors. The hire and experience centres, while beneficial in some ways, do not align with our core business goals. We aim to provide a clearer vision for our Independent Bicycle Dealers and distributors."

Despite the closures, mountain bike specialist Whyte Bikes is set to continue offering demo rides through its dealership network at dealer-led events.

The closure of Swinley Forest Bike Hub, which offers bike rentals, maintenance services and coaching sessions, has been met with disappointment from regular attendees, with many expressing concern over the hub's future. Whyte Bikes has stated that its goal is to ensure a smooth transition that benefits both the business and the local cycling communities these hubs serve.

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