Rides on Air & Arragons listed in Best Small Shops competition 2019
The ACT has announced two independent bike shops have been listed in the Best Small Shops competition 2019.
Wallingford’s Rides on Air and Arragons Cycle Centre in Cumbria both feature in the UK’s 25 best shops, narrowed down from hundreds of entries ranging from the Orkney Islands to the tip of Devon, and everywhere in between.
Managed by the Independent Retailers Confederation (IRC), the Best Small Shops competition aims to celebrate the commitment and creativity of independent retailers on the UK’s high streets, and the integral role they play in their communities.
According to Indie Retail, Rides on Air and Arragons, “stood out to the judges for a range of reasons including the fantastic work they do for their communities and the levels they go to when engaging with current and potential customers.”
The ACT hopes the promotion of these two bike shops will help draw more attention the IBDs across the UK.
Arragons Cycle Centre located in Penrith, Cumbria, is a family-run business offering cycle hire, a Shimano Service Centre and specialist wheel building. Now with a brand new shop, also one of the North’s largest, Arragons remains at the heart of its community by supporting events and entertaining local clubs. The shop was shortlisted in last year’s competition.
Rides on Air in Wallingford has a new store with over 100 bikes and accessories in stock, covering all disciplines from children’s bikes to adult’s, including disabled cycles and e-Bikes. The shop regularly takes part in community events in aid of local charities while promoting the benefits of shopping at IBDs.
The competition was promoted by 75 MPs and had a social media reach of over 1.1 million thanks to the variety of MPs, BIDs, shops and other community members sharing the competition online.
