Evan's Cycles in trouble - ?

[Drago]

Another photo of Halfords from the same time.

View attachment 793108

Thats what the world looks like to our Accy.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Back in the 70s when I got into building bikes, Halfords was the place I went to get all my bits and pieces. The goods were on display supermarket-style and they had the few things I needed. I preferred Halfords to the traditional bike shop nearby because that was a dark and intimidating place, and if you weren't quite sure what you wanted you couldn't browse, you had to ask, and get a sarky unhelpful response from the grumpy old gits there.

I never bought much new though. Cables, ball bearings, inner tubes, tyres... A Huret rear mech was about my fanciest purchase. No wonder the old gits in the bike shop wanted rid of me. I was clearly broke.

 

[albion]

"As of November 2025, the new Evans Cycles store locations include:
Edinburgh
London West End
Southampton
York "

I think there is a new Meadowhall one too.

 

[Punkawallah]

"As of November 2025, the new Evans Cycles store locations include:
Edinburgh
London West End
Southampton
York "

I think there is a new Meadowhall one too.

One opened in Darlington just recently, giving us four bike shops in about the length of one street. Plus Halfords, Cash Converters (who bring their bikes to us for service before putting them on sale) and a newly opened 2nd hand bike shop, all within about a square mile.

 

[albion]

One opened in Darlington just recently, giving us four bike shops in about the length of one street. Plus Halfords, Cash Converters (who bring their bikes to us for service before putting them on sale) and a newly opened 2nd hand bike shop, all within about a square mile.

Ashley likely got the premises 'try it rent free'. Saying that, Darlington is not the worst for empty shops.

 

[Illaveago]

Branches were far enough apart that it was shipping between branches across the country I think in my case they had to get the 2nd size from Yorkshire down to Reading (not many Reading staff commute daily from Yorkshire). Hence back to central warehouse then out to different store.

A couple of our chaps used to come from Bristol so that is easily 30 miles.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

Back in the 70s when I got into building bikes, Halfords was the place I went to get all my bits and pieces. The goods were on display supermarket-style and they had the few things I needed. I preferred Halfords to the traditional bike shop nearby because that was a dark and intimidating place, and if you weren't quite sure what you wanted you couldn't browse, you had to ask, and get a sarky unhelpful response from the grumpy old gits there.

I never bought much new though. Cables, ball bearings, inner tubes, tyres... A Huret rear mech was about my fanciest purchase. No wonder the old gits in the bike shop wanted rid of me. I was clearly broke.

A bike shop owner with a brain and a view for the future o fthe business knew that a broke young person today
might turn into a well off cycle enthusiast in 1 few years time

The others went broke

I have normally had a decent LBS near me
but I do remember buying a folding moutain bike many years ago from a shop in Wallasey
when I decided I could do with a rack and needed help because the manual said I needed a specific one due to the folding mechanism
I took it back to ask the owner and showed him the exact thing I needed

when he saw the bike he just said - VERY grumpily
"if yo want parts for that you need to take it back to where you got it from"

I toldl him it came from there - and HE sold it to me and suddenly his attitude changed and he was all helpful
He did get the right rack for me
but I never went back there which at the very least lost him an order for a few kids bikes

 

[Psamathe]

A bike shop owner with a brain and a view for the future o fthe business knew that a broke young person today
might turn into a well off cycle enthusiast in 1 few years time

Also, sell a bike then purchaser will be needing lights, maybe a helmet, service (hence 1st service free to get purchaser to appreciate the need for servicing), etc. Be helpgul and friendly and initial sale becomes ongoing purchases.

 

[Rusty Nails]

Back in the 70s when I got into building bikes, Halfords was the place I went to get all my bits and pieces. The goods were on display supermarket-style and they had the few things I needed. I preferred Halfords to the traditional bike shop nearby because that was a dark and intimidating place, and if you weren't quite sure what you wanted you couldn't browse, you had to ask, and get a sarky unhelpful response from the grumpy old gits there.

I never bought much new though. Cables, ball bearings, inner tubes, tyres... A Huret rear mech was about my fanciest purchase. No wonder the old gits in the bike shop wanted rid of me. I was clearly broke.

Sounds just like Charlie Alexander in Cardiff docks many years ago. As long as you knew what you wanted, preferably Campagnolo, and even better if you were a time trialer, he was fine. A great shop and great bikes but he'd missed the customer service lessons.

 

[Cavalol]

And on top of all that, Evans are the only store I have come across where you have to pay to collect from store (almost as much as having it delivered to home).

Wait until you order a bike and have to send it back because it's wrong somehow. They charge you for the privilege.

Besides not being a fan of the company owner, their zero hours contracts stink and the the handful of times I've been in to my store they were pretty clueless. I do feel sorry for the staff, as I'm guessing it's minimum wage and therefore quite probably staffed by people who don't even own a cycle, let alone ride one, but you'd expect basic knowledge and help.

The whole place reminded me of a sort of catalogue showroom.

 

[Punkawallah]

Wait until you order a bike and have to send it back because it's wrong somehow. They charge you for the privilege.

Besides not being a fan of the company owner, their zero hours contracts stink and the the handful of times I've been in to my store they were pretty clueless. I do feel sorry for the staff, as I'm guessing it's minimum wage and therefore quite probably staffed by people who don't even own a cycle, let alone ride one, but you'd expect basic knowledge and help.

The whole place reminded me of a sort of catalogue showroom.

Commonly bike mechanics -are- on minimum wage (in my experience), and the Evans we have in the town does repairs and sales.

 

[Windle]

Ashley likely got the premises 'try it rent free'. Saying that, Darlington is not the worst for empty shops.

It certainly isn't the worst, in fact it's probably the best town for shops in the area, by a country mile at that. It has some cracking pubs too 🍻.
The Evans is in the old Binns store, in the basement (where a most excellent beer & whisky department used to be many years ago). Although I noticed last week that the front window was rammed with bikes, very much looking like a 'pile 'em high and sell 'em cheap' kind of thing, but I suppose Christmas is coming. It's a shame that it'll take casual business from the other 'proper' bike shops in the town though.

 

[Punkawallah]

It certainly isn't the worst, in fact it's probably the best town for shops in the area, by a country mile at that. It has some cracking pubs too 🍻.
The Evans is in the old Binns store, in the basement (where a most excellent beer & whisky department used to be many years ago). Although I noticed last week that the front window was rammed with bikes, very much looking like a 'pile 'em high and sell 'em cheap' kind of thing, but I suppose Christmas is coming. It's a shame that it'll take casual business from the other 'proper' bike shops in the town though.

Seems to be some ‘demarkation’ in place. We have a high end (mainly) road bike shop, a high end MTB shop, a low end mixed shop (Evans) and a used bike shop in the town centre. Very different customer bases and price ranges. So far they all seem willing to send custom to the appropriate shop, but we’ll see.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

Seems to be some ‘demarkation’ in place. We have a high end (mainly) road bike shop, a high end MTB shop, a low end mixed shop (Evans) and a used bike shop in the town centre. Very different customer bases and price ranges. So far they all seem willing to send custom to the appropriate shop, but we’ll see.

Yes - the LBS here started selling Raleigh ebikes when ebikes first started to be popular

but after a while the Raleigh became fewer and Giant took over the displays

not they have another mainly on display
well - when I say display - probably 3 or 4 bike in all - it isn;t a big shop front!!


they still sell the others but have to get them in

they are quite willing to send people to Halfords if they want things that just don;t think are worth stocking - such as clothing and lights if the few bits they have around are not suitable

I did ask them about a bell at one point and they just said "take one from the first drawer behind the counter - there are loads in there!!!
apparently they take them off anything that is "for parts" and some people take them off a new bike before they leave the shop!

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

A bike shop owner with a brain and a view for the future o fthe business knew that a broke young person today
might turn into a well off cycle enthusiast in 1 few years time

The others went broke

I run a small business, it still amazes me how many other businesses I come across that don't seem to get this. I am in the process of trying to buy a piece of machinery. It will be something used and basic so not a big spend but it is a starter and may well lead to more significant investment in future. Trying to get someone who actually wants my business has been a massive chore as they are only interested in someone that wants to spend 4 or 5 times my budget. The lack of foresight is incredible.