Evans Cycles store number hits 56 with two new openings

Evans Cycles’ bleak 2018 reached its pinnacle when its new owner warned it would likely have to axe half its stores, but those warnings now appear to be wide of the mark, with two new openings in recent weeks.

Evans’ Glasgow Fort shop opened last month and there’ll be another in Shirebrook, in the East Midlands, by the end of this week, bringing the tally up to 56. That total indicates around 25 more shops were saved than promised.

When Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct acquired Evans Cycles last October, after months of failed buy outs by the likes of Halfords (reportedly), Ashley said he believed only 50% of stores would be able to stay open. At the time, Evans had approximately 62 stores.

Notably, the Shirebrook store is a ‘brand store’ operating within an existing TRI UK store (another Mike Ashley-owned retailer).

Taking up over 4,000 square feet inside the TRI UK store, the new branch will house almost 100 bikes for customers to try out as well as the latest products from brands like Trek, Brompton, Fox Clothing, GORE Wear and  more. The store also comes complete with a fully equipped Shimano Service Centre offering expert mechanical assistance as well as the bike maintenance ‘Fixit classes’.

It is Evans Cycles’ third branch within the Midlands area – with others in Nottingham and Leicester. The firm said the new opening represents a strong commitment to help grow cycling within the region, and is situated near the stunning Peak District National Park.

The store opening will be celebrated with a Pinnacle bike giveaway and celebrations centring around the ongoing Giro d’Italia.