BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
A local bike repair business which started out of a van has now been nominated as Young Business of the Year in the Oldham Business Awards.
Owner Paul Smith opened his bicycle repair business, Cycle Tech, over 18 months ago, after the former HGV mechanic gave up a job in the vehicle recovery industry.
Smith plans to expand the business into other areas around Greater Manchester, offering nationwide suspension repairs through Suspension Tech UK and selling electric bikes.
"I was very surprised [to be nominated] as I feel like I just have a small bike shop, but once it had sunk in I felt like I had achieved something and it felt good to be noticed – proud of my shop! I joined Cycle Tech UK working out of a van back in June 2014, then set up a workshop at home before opening my shop a year later.
"I like to think that my business combines the latest internet-based technology (such as online bookings and an online shop) along with the values of a traditional bike shop."
Smith is also a team member for Mountain Rescue and is currently training to do the 90K Tour of the Mountain Rescue Bases in the Peak District. The Cycle Tech owner is also plotting LEJoG next year. He’ll learn whether he has been successful at the Oldham Business Awards ceremony in May.
