Holdsworth Cycles to shut down after 86 years! Sad news indeed!

[bernieUK]

My local bike shop, Holdsworth in Putney SW London, is to shut down after 86 years in business! I have used them for many years and they always gave great service. I only found this out today when I called to book my bike in for some work. The guy I spoke simply told me that they cannot compete with the likes of Wiggle and Chainreaction. I suppose that is the way it is for many small or independent local businesses.

Sad news indeed!

 

[PeteXXX]

Sad to see any LBS close down. The only way to compete nowadays is to have an online presence..

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Sad to see any LBS close down. The only way to compete nowadays is to have an online presence..

I got a Planet-X email today, introducing Holdsworth Bikes.

Now Holdsworth have moved on to a new chapter in their long celebrated history, venturing into the world of carbon fibre frames and reviving the all-time classic Professional steel bike. With over 50 years of experience in frame design, the Holdsworth team continue their illustrious record.

The NEW Holdsworth bikes & frames are exclusively available at Planet X...

So the bike continues but the shop disappears.

 

[Davidc]

I remember that shop when it used to be part of the same operation as the manufacturing of Holdsworth bikes.

Sad it's going, but the name may live on with Falcon.

 

[fossala]

The new Holdsworth are a joke, just a cash in on a name. Same as many other bike companies. Why wouldn't someone just jump on ebay and buy the real thing rather than a chinese frame with a sticker on it (same with bianchi, pinarello, raleigh well most bike makes to be honest).

 

[PeteXXX]

I got a Planet-X email today, introducing Holdsworth Bikes.


So the bike continues but the shop disappears.

Same with so many brands, not just bikes!
I've yet to see a computer give my gears or brakes a free fettle as I ride past it as I bought the bike from it. My LBS's will!

 

[fossala]

Same with so many brands, not just bikes!
I've yet to see a computer give my gears or brakes a free fettle as I ride past it as I bought the bike from it. My LBS's will!

But the money you saved from buying from the computer means you can pay your LBS to do it.

 

[PeteXXX]

But the money you saved from buying from the computer means you can pay your LBS to do it.

Assuming you can still find one..

 

[fossala]

Assuming you can still find one..

I don't need to, I do my own. But I don't think LBS are as poor as you think. Every one around me are always busy and have a long waiting list for repairs. One even just moved to a bigger place as they are doing so well (no wonder when they rip people off so badly).

 

[screenman]

I don't need to, I do my own. But I don't think LBS are as poor as you think. Every one around me are always busy and have a long waiting list for repairs. One even just moved to a bigger place as they are doing so well (no wonder when they rip people off so badly).

Here speaks a person who does not understand business costs, they charge money therefore they must be ripping people off. Utter piffle my dear man.

 

[fossala]

Here speaks a person who does not understand business costs, they charge money therefore they must be ripping people off. Utter piffle my dear man.

40 quid to look at a bike? Don't judge before you know facts.

 

[screenman]

Sounds good value to me, how much per hour does it cost the shop to open? to the nearest £5 will do.

 

[fossala]

Sounds good value to me, how much per hour does it cost the shop to open? to the nearest £5 will do.

Good value at 40 quid for 15mins work? You must be high.

 

[screenman]

No just smart, I charge much the same without the shop overheads. Now you have failed to tell me the shops overheads.

 

[dellzeqq]

Forty years ago Holdsworth were the big bad guys on the South London block - buying up smaller independents and using the name as a badge. Strange how things turn out..........

Local bike shops are opening up all over South London. Putney Cycles, a mile or so down the road, have been going for twenty years. If they can do it, why can't Holdsworth?