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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.

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...

24 Oct 2024

Peloton Interactive has strategically launched a rental programme, broadening its market appeal. Traditionally, Peloton’s offerings have been positioned as premium, high-investment...

22 Oct 2024

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...

15 Oct 2024

The ACT is launching a campaign to ensure fair and accurate reporting of e-bike-related news while promoting the positive aspects of e-bike usage.

11 Oct 2024

ACT parent company Bira has responded to the BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor for September 2024

10 Oct 2024

Cycle to Work scheme provider Gogeta has reported a significant increase in the number of employers signing up to its scheme.

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Pickering bike store celebrates 15 years in business.

Posted on in Business News , Cycles News

A North Yorkshire cycle shop, which has become one of the largest bike businesses in the area, is celebrating its fifteenth anniversary.

Big Bear bikes

Picture: facebook.com/BigBearBikes

In addition to selling bikes, Big Bear Bikes in Pickering also attracts customers from across the UK and draws in tourists through its sister store Dalby Forest Cycle Hub (DFCH).

Besides its core business as a bike hire shop, DFCH opens up the mental and physical health benefits of cycling to people with disabilities and illnesses through its inclusive cycling service, which has featured in several national media outlets and was recently shortlisted for a national tourism award.

Big Bear Bikes Managing Director David Beeley puts the business’ success down to the in-person service offered by a local bike shop that can’t be replicated by an online store.

He said: “post-COVID, people really appreciate face-to-face service and the fact our team are friendly, professional and really know what they’re talking about. Customers like coming to a clean, modern environment with a large showroom, more than 100 bikes in stock and space where they can test ride a few bikes before they choose one.”

David added: “We are a local shop, but we are independent, and I think that’s important to people at a time when there are so many huge businesses online that don’t offer a personal service. It’s a nice feeling to celebrate 15 years in business but we are always looking forward and are starting the year by taking on two new people.”

In April 2018, it moved into the current premises in Southgate, more than doubling its floorspace to 4,200 square feet, providing a main street presence and with a large car park for test riding bikes.

Another big change in that year was winning the tender to operate the mountain bike hire centre at Dalby Forest, which opened in July 2018 and is now Dalby Forest Cycle Hub. DFCH is a Community Interest Company, meaning that at its core is a desire to do good in the community.

The business has a full-time staff of 12 and 16 part-time employees. It has just taken on a new member of staff and will take on another following the extension of the workshop, where qualified mechanics service, repair, upgrade and assemble bikes.

David said: “It has been an amazing journey over the last fifteen years, and we are very thankful to our all our customers, new and old, and our great team at both stores.

"They are all keen cyclists and between us we cover nearly all the cycling disciplines, so our friendliness, knowledge and professionalism are here to give customers the best start on their ‘cycling journey’ and support them in the future.”

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