Village cycle shop to close after 13 years (From Oxford Mail)

Village cycle shop to close after 13 years

7:00am Saturday 11th February 2012 in News By Tom Jennings

G R Cycles owner Gerald Rice and his daughter Louise Simmons with some of the remaining stock

A FAMILY-owned independent cycle store in Kidlington is closing down after 13 years serving the village.

G R Cycles, in High Street, has seen its takings drop by two thirds in the past three years due to competition from supermarkets and the internet.

The store, which specialises in children’s bikes and commuter cycles, has about 50 bikes on display at any one time and employs four people.

It was set up by Gerald Rice after Denton’s in Summertown, which he had previously managed, closed down.

The 74-year-old, who lives in Kidlington, said: “I am way past the retirement age but I do not want to retire.

“I lost my wife and I am on my own and this shop gets me up in the morning – it keeps me going. This is a disaster.”

His daughter, Louise Simmons, 39, who also works in the shop, said: “It is sad, not just for me and for all of us personally, but for the community.

“Kidlington High Street is so dull now. It is just estate agents, bookies and supermarkets. We are losing all the independent traders.

“Eventually you will see no independent stores at all on the High Street. It really is a case of use it or lose it.”

She added: “Our closure is the result of a collection of things, but the main causes are the internet and big stores, which have taken trade from local traders.

“When we first opened it was quite good but since then it has declined and in the past couple of years it has been getting worse and worse.

“We have seen overheads go up and income go down. When that happens you are running on air.”

She also blamed the decline on the increased use of games consoles by children, adding: “Cycling is not as popular as it used to be.”

The shop has stopped taking new stock and Mrs Simmons expects to sell the remaining items and close by the end of April.

It is now running a 10 per cent discount on all parts and accessories to clear stock. When it closes the nearest bike shops will be in Bicester and Summertown.

Mr Rice said he may now run a bike repair business from home.

It is the second independent store in Kidlington to announce its closure in the last month, with J & Sons in Oxford Road closing by the end of next week.

The shop has been trading for 30 years but owner Arif Jan, 39, said the stress of running it had got too much.