“Pressure of trading against online discounters” leads to Dartmoor Cycles closure
Independent bike shop Dartmoor Cycles has announced its closure citing the “pressures of trading against online discounters” for the business’s closure.
Located on the edge of Dartmoor the shop has a long history of servicing the needs of the cycling community, in particular those using the local Gawton downhill trails. The store also incorporated the Lifer specialist BMX arm.
As of Sunday 29th of January the store will close its doors for the final time.
A company statement offered:
“It is with great sadness that we have to announce that on Sunday 29th of January Dartmoor Cycles will be closing for the final time. We have worked tirelessly to try to continue providing a caring and passionately run bike shop, but finally the pressure of trying to trade against online discounters has put paid to our dreams.
“I would like to thank all our customers over the years, all the staff that have shared my passion for bikes and all my family for sticking by me during some tough times.
“On a brighter note, for those of you who have come to trust and rely on our well priced and efficient workshop, I will still be operating a workshop from home. I’ll be offering collection and delivery or quick fixes at your house/place of work. To book in please call 07468494354 from 1/2/2017
“Again. Thankyou all for the last 5 years. I’m going for a ride…”
Dartmoor’s plight is a familiar one, shops are struggling in the face of a discount culture in which even newly launched 2017 goods are already price cut online. 2016 proved to be a horrible year for the independent bike trade with shop closures affecting both small and big fish in the marketplace. The plight of the bike shop is perhaps best summarised in this opinion piece by former owner of Pelican Cycles Neil Armitage.
If you have an opinion of your own to share on the future of independent bike retail you can contact the editor here.
