However, it’s not all good news as a shop that is apparently one of the oldest in London, and an institution in Kentish Town, has decided to close to all but shoppers with an appointment, claiming that too many people are using the shop for advise and as a showroom and then going and buying the stuff they want online.
Arguably this is the challenge facing any highstreet shop and not a problem unique to the bike industry. However it has a possibly bigger impact as cyclists are left with nowhere to get repairs done or parts safely fitted, if they need it or aren’t confident to do it themselves. There is a place for good workshops for the support of even experienced bike mechanics once something gets more specialised or problematic than can be dealt with at home. I know when it hits this point what you really need is an instant solution, not to book your bike in for 3 weeks’ time and hope it can be fixed then. Therefore the more bike shops that survive the better your chance of getting in ahead of the endless puncture repairs and brake block changes. You also need a place to buy those things you don’t have a stock of, nor want to wait to come in the post. I love the prices of the online shops but let’s try and support high street bike shops at the same time.
If all that seems a bit serious and commercial watch some BMX ers tear up London:
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