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Renowned Leicester-based cycle brand Leicester Cycle Co is going back into production, more than a century after it produced its last bike in a factory in Friday Street.
During the 1890s The Leicester Cycle Co was the town’s largest bicycle manufacturer, producing more than 500 machines a week and selling them through depots in London, Manchester, Paris and across Europe.
The ‘Peregrine’ mode was one of its most successful, used on a number of record breaking rides including Lands End to John O’Groat’s and London to Edinburgh.
Leicester-based Cyclemagic – established ten years ago to provide special needs cycles, training and community projects – will be bringing the brand back to life, as well as having its own major reorganisation this year. Cyclemagic occupies the former Leicester Cycle Co factory, a discovery made by partners Roger Lovell and Simon Thomas as they researched cycling in Leicester dating back to the 1860s.
The re-launch of the brand will take place alongside the re-organisation of the Cyclemagic team and facilities in order to meet increased demand, as well as meet a growing interest in cycling history and heritage, the firm said.
“It’s wonderful to be able to resurrect a heritage brand such as this and our ambition is to create a global brand, centred here in Leicester,” commented Roger Lovell. “We believe that the re-launch of the brand will do a lot to put Leicester well and truly on the map for cyclists from all over the world.
“As well as sourcing specialist parts from local suppliers, we’ll be developing our existing site to accommodate more office space, a retail area, workshops and storage facilities.
“As well as men’s sporting models – including the Peregrine, an original of the Leicester Cycle Co – the company will also produce Penny-Farthings, speciality bikes and memorabilia.”
A confirmed launch date, together with more details about production and models, is set to be announced over the next few weeks.
