Another LBS bites the dust.

[simongt]

Found out yesterday that Specialised Cycles of Connaught Road, Norwich has ceased trading after forty years. Their niche market was road bikes and tourers and they also did a lot of restoration work on older models. I went in there once and spied a beautifully restored Curly Hetchins; oh, I SO wanted that bike - !
The combined knowledge and skills of Steve, the proprietor and Andy, the manager was legendary and nothing was too much trouble for them.
On the notice of closure on the door, Steve has quoted '..a declining market, the popularity of internet shopping and increased competition...' as the causes.
As branches of Evan's Cycles and Halford's Cycle Republic have recently opened up in Norwich city centre with all their displays of bright & pretty bikes and bits, special offers & discounts, all backed up with massive company finance, small wonder that LBSs are struggling.

 

[Mrs M]

That's sad
A proper bike shop.

 

[MichaelW2]

I bought my Bob Jackson tourer from Steve when he had a tiny shop with a basement workshop too small to spin a cat. I always made of point of giving him first bite of any business. Use it or loose it.

 

[Tanis8472]

This ^^^^

 

[mickle]

Shame. Meaning that Norwich cyclists should feel ashamed that they let this happen. farking Evans. The Walmart of the cycle industry.

 

[Glow worm]

Ironic on the day Norfolk County Council promised to do more for cycling. Such a shame, to lose another LBS.

 

[bozmandb9]

Found out yesterday that Specialised Cycles of Connaught Road, Norwich has ceased trading after forty years. Their niche market was road bikes and tourers and they also did a lot of restoration work on older models. I went in there once and spied a beautifully restored Curly Hetchins; oh, I SO wanted that bike - !
The combined knowledge and skills of Steve, the proprietor and Andy, the manager was legendary and nothing was too much trouble for them.
On the notice of closure on the door, Steve has quoted '..a declining market, the popularity of internet shopping and increased competition...' as the causes.
As branches of Evan's Cycles and Halford's Cycle Republic have recently opened up in Norwich city centre with all their displays of bright & pretty bikes and bits, special offers & discounts, all backed up with massive company finance, small wonder that LBSs are struggling.

Not around here they're not! Thriving in Oxfordshire/ Berks! My neighbour in in his early 30's, has 5 branches, and is a multi millionaire. Another mate has 3 branches and does very well thank you. Probably due to the lack of big chains in our local towns.

 

[jefmcg]

Little shops like this, who's reputation rests on the shoulders of the proprietor tend to close when the owner is done. Sure, this shop may have been driven out of existence by Halfords, Evans, and the soulessness of the Norwich shoppers, or Steve may have decided he was ready to spend his dotage with Mrs or Mr Steve, and closed up shop to enjoy his well earned retirement.

Do we know which one it was?

Edit: somehow I missed this:

On the notice of closure on the door, Steve has quoted '..a declining market, the popularity of internet shopping and increased competition...' as the causes.

so we know which one it was.

Vale Specialised Cycles.

 

[united4ever]

Is this a trend. Would have thought a bike shop would be a good business with the supposed boom in cycling. I know the big players are dominating but still.

 

[Accy cyclist]

Not around here they're not! Thriving in Oxfordshire/ Berks! My neighbour in in his early 30's, has 5 branches, and is a multi millionaire. Another mate has 3 branches and does very well thank you. Probably due to the lack of big chains in our local towns.

How can it be a LBS when there are 5 branches of it? Surely a LBS is just one shop.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

'Steve has quoted '..a declining market, the popularity of internet shopping and increased competition...'

It's really impossible to judge from a distance without knowing the facts but maybe Steve was a great cycle fettler and a not so savvy businessman and/or unable to move with the times?

I can't see why we have to get rheumy eyed when "another LBS bites the dust".

Some of the ones I have seen have little appeal - full of 'stuff' that might sell one day and with the odd Claud Butler/Holdsworth/Dawes stuck in the shop window usually surrounded by a display of even more 'stuff' that might sell one day. These are vulnerable little businesses.

The world of business moves on and not wanted/off the pace/can't adapt businesses get left behind.

 

[swansonj]

Are we lumping Halfords and Evans together in the same evil category? Sure, Evans have branches everywhere and the competitive commercial opportunities that only come from size. But I'd have said they stocked a big range, including quite a lot of niche products outside the mainstream road bike market, and they're staffed by and large by cyclists. Whereas Halfords ... Errr ... Don't and aren't.

Or am I too nostalgic for the days when Evans was that one shop on the Cut full of touring bikes to lust over?

 

[MichaelW2]

The big guys can buy stock at discounts the small LBS can only dream of.
Steve survived on his niche market of bromptons, some custom build race and touring bikes, a pretty good selection of touring accessories and his superb mechanic, but the economics of this model just don't work.
Pre-built race wheels have killed the bulk of the wheel-building market and fewer people are resorting to custom frame/custom build options.

 

[bozmandb9]

How can it be a LBS when there are 5 branches of it? Surely a LBS is just one shop.

I don't see why? It's local, its owned by a guy down the road, not a faceless corporation, it sells bikes. It is certainly, to anybody living locally, our local bike shop. If you have a different definition I'd be open to hearing it.

 

[Smokin Joe]

'Steve has quoted '..a declining market, the popularity of internet shopping and increased competition...'

It's really impossible to judge from a distance without knowing the facts but maybe Steve was a great cycle fettler and a not so savvy businessman and/or unable to move with the times?

I can't see why we have to get rheumy eyed when "another LBS bites the dust".

Some of the ones I have seen have little appeal - full of 'stuff' that might sell one day and with the odd Claud Butler/Holdsworth/Dawes stuck in the shop window usually surrounded by a display of even more 'stuff' that might sell one day. These are vulnerable little businesses.

The world of business moves on and not wanted/off the pace/can't adapt businesses get left behind.

True indeed.

To survive these day a cycle retailer has to do much more than just flog kit, the people who buy parts for their bikes know how to fit them themselves and will go online where they can get them much more cheaply. You've got to attract the modern breed of customer, middle aged, high disposable income without the knowledge or the inclination to get their hands dirty. So big on servicing, bike fit, maintenance classes, organising ride outs and getting involved in the local sportive scene. In other words, becoming an essential part of the local cycling scene as a supplier, fellow enthusiast, agony aunt/uncle, and understanding exactly what it is your own particular demographic wants from you. Two shops I use, one long established and one relatively new are thriving because they have that attitude. The most recent one to open did not and went bust after two years.