Framebuilder Mercian Cycles heads into voluntary liquidation

Sadly, there has been another addition to the list of cycle businesses that have gone out of business in the last 18 months: Mercian Cycles.

The custom frame and bike builder has ceased to trade after 78 years in business. Insolvency Practitioner Opus Restructuring is assisting the business as it is placed into Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation.

Established as a bike shop in Derby in 1946, Mercian Cycles was soon building frames in a small workshop nearby. From there the firm has picked up customers worldwide, as well as some associations with notable names like Paul Smith.

CIN recently examined the state of the UK’s frame builder scene, noting the number of business struggling in the sector, including the closure of The Bicycle Academy among other related companies. Earlier this year, there was signs of a nascent movement among UK bicycle frame builders to work together on schemes and initiatives to support the sector.

More generally, 2023 saw a large number of bicycle companies go out of business, including industry stalwart distributors as well as household names.