The London Cycle Workshop adds valet bike parking to their array of services
In 2009, Simon England had the idea to open a dedicated service and repair shop that could cater for all cyclists with a can do attitude and service with a smile- The London Cycle Workshop was born !
A CHALLENGING start…
Simon told us “ We opened on a shoestring budget in the middle of the recession that had started a year earlier. It was a tough environment but with the help of friends, former work colleagues and family they managed to convert what was a rather shabby looking former chemist shop into a slightly shabby bicycle repair shop! November is not the best time of year to open a new shop in the bike trade and with winter ahead it was a slow start, but with the support of the locals we had enough work to get us started and soon enough we were inundated with bikes for repair.”
AN AMBITIOUS OUTLOOK…
“As time passed the number of mechanics grew and we were standing squarely on our own two feet. Back in April 2015 we took a leap of faith and opened a second shop in Hammersmith on King Street and have never looked back. In 2019 we came to East Sheen (pictured above), plugging a gap created with the closure of a local shop. This is our biggest location and the home of our office staff and our fabled Schwalbe inner tube vending machine! In 2021 it was Ealing’s turn for the TLCW treatment as we stepped in to fill the void created with the closure of Ealing Cycles on Bond Street. We secured a great shop at the South end of the street and have been warmly welcomed by the local cycling community.” says Simon..
According to Simon “Growth to multiple shops was never part of the plan back in 2009 when the first shop opened in Battersea, but the simple formula of servicing and repairing in shops staffed by experienced and trained mechanics who are passionate about all things bike is here to stay. “
Keep innovating ….
TLCW has made its mark on London and has tens of thousands of loyal customers, so we’re very proud to have them offering secure bicycle parking on the Hudjo network. London has a huge problem with bike theft, and it’s undoubtedly one of the main barriers preventing more people from cycling around the city. We need more forward thinking retailers like TCLW to help solve the problem. In return, retailers generate a passive income stream from the parking and also, indirectly, have a chance to attract and build relationships with new potential customers.
