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Preston bike shop closes after six decades

Sutcliffe Cycles shut its doors for final time on Christmas Eve

Preston bike shop Sutcliffe Cycles & Repairs closed its doors for the final time on Christmas Eve, bringing an end to more than six decades of trading.

Owner Martin Sutcliffe has decided to shut the business down as he heads into retirement, reports the Lancashire Telegraph.

The shop on Ribbleton Avenue opened in 1957, four decades after Sutcliffe’s grandfather Sam Williams established his first bicycle repair shop in 1915, and has been a long-term Raleigh dealer.

Mr Sutcliffe said: “I have always considered I entered the trade at just the right moment. Up to that point bikes had largely been a ‘beast of burden’, a mode of transport that got you to and from work, with the idea of a bicycle as a leisure item for adults still in its infancy.

“I took up my spanners and allen keys and watched all that change.

“Becoming an exclusive Raleigh dealer for over forty years from 1977 to 2017 we estimate that we’ve sold somewhere in the region of 45-50,000 Raleigh bikes, ranging from the humble play trike to top-end road and off-road lightweights.

“I consider myself privileged to have witnessed the swathe of Raleigh designs sweep through our shop over the years. Looking back I can see it all as one would see the ascent of man. The ascent of Bike.”

Mike Harrison, area account manager for Raleigh, said: “Sutcliffe Cycles has been a cherished partner to Raleigh for over 60 years.

“With both British companies offering decades of knowledge and expertise to their customers, Sutcliffe Cycles will be sorely missed by both us and Preston’s cycling community.

“As displayed over the past year, we believe firmly that cycling has the potential to completely reshape lives for the better, and it’s local treasures like Sutcliffe Cycles that are at the heart of this,” he added. 

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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7 comments

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wtjs | 3 years ago
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I bought a Raleigh there for my teenage daughter. Sorry to see it go.

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ktache | 3 years ago
1 like

Have a great retirement Martin

Avatar
Rik Mayals unde... | 3 years ago
1 like

I have fond memories of shopping at Sutcliffe Cycles as a lad, It's a shame that the shop couldn't be sold on and continue.

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NZ Vegan Rider replied to Rik Mayals underpants | 3 years ago
0 likes

Agreed. If there is the need, the retail set up and profitable surely it(or something like it) can continue. 

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Rik Mayals unde... replied to NZ Vegan Rider | 3 years ago
0 likes

Sadly the location could be a reason it is not being sold on. The shop is slap bang in the middle of shitsville, one of Prestons shittiest areas. It is a grotty area, not helped by the residents turning it into a ghetto. 

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Chougher replied to Rik Mayals underpants | 3 years ago
0 likes

😔 oooh mate, your bigotry is showing

Avatar
Rik Mayals unde... replied to Chougher | 3 years ago
2 likes

Bigotry? Do you know the area? This area is but a few miles from where I live, I cycle through it regularly on my way home from a ride, but I make sure I take the route through which means I don't stop at any lights. You really don't want to be sat stationary on a decent bike around these parts. It is a shithole, I can't dress it up any better.

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