A family-run cycle retailer will open a purpose-built showroom in Cornwall this month.
Clive Mitchell Cycles acquired part of a neighbouring former garage site at its Summercourt base, near Newquay, where it has now completed construction of the 11,000 sq ft store as it responds to growing demand from cyclists across the county.
Fred Mitchell, Managing Director at Clive Mitchell Cycles, said:
“This is a major investment for us and gives us the space we need to bring more of the business together in one place. We’ve been operating across different sites, so having the showroom, stock and workshop facilities together will make us much more efficient and enable us to create a better experience for our customers. We’re really looking forward to opening the doors in the coming weeks and welcoming customers into the new showroom.
“Cycling has changed enormously over the years, and electric bikes in particular are opening it up to many more people. They can remove some of the barriers that might previously have stopped someone from cycling, whether that’s a medical condition, fitness or simply the distance they need to travel. We’re seeing people of all ages discover or rediscover cycling as a result.
“Our focus now is on making the most of the new site and giving something back to customers who have supported us throughout the past 50 years.”
Opening its doors on 14 September, but marking the occasion with a Grand Opening Day on 10 October, the new building will enable the retailer to bring operations currently spread across two locations together on one site, increasing the amount of stock it can hold and reducing the need to transport products between premises.
Sustainability has also been a key consideration for the new showroom. The all-electric building has been fitted with 42 solar panels, heat pumps and underfloor heating, set to save the business hundreds of pounds worth of energy per year.
As well as reducing the time customers need to wait to receive their orders, the showroom will provide more space, including five workshop stations for the business’ team of mechanics and a dedicated bike fitting studio, while significantly increasing the free parking available on site.
The business is also looking to grow its team as the new site becomes established, with plans to recruit another member of staff and create opportunities for apprentices in the future.
Founded by Clive Mitchell and his wife Mary in 1970, Clive Mitchell Cycles began life selling a wide range of products alongside second-hand bicycles advertised through local newspapers.
The family business has continued to evolve over more than five decades. Clive and Mary’s daughter Sarah remains part of the team, while Clive’s brother Fred Mitchell, who first became involved with the company in the 1990s, now runs the business and is joined by his sons Daniel and Dominic.
The development has been supported by a £750,000 Buildings Transition Loan from Lloyds, with Matthew Williams MRICS of Stratton Creber Commercial providing monitoring surveyor services for the development.
Andrew Stephens, Relationship Manager at Lloyds, said:
“Clive Mitchell Cycles is a fantastic example of a family business that has continued to evolve over more than half a century while remaining firmly rooted in its local community. We were pleased to support the funding for the build, with our client benefiting from no arrangement fee on the loan thanks to the property’s strong energy efficiency credentials.”
“The new Summercourt facility will give the team the space it needs to operate more efficiently and capitalise on growing areas of the market such as electric bikes. It’s also encouraging to see sustainability being a key part of the business’ development, with solar panels, heat pumps and an all-electric building helping to reduce the environmental impact of the new premises. We look forward to seeing the new showroom open its doors.”
Today, Clive Mitchell Cycles employs 11 full-time staff and one part-time employee, and sells bikes from a range of major brands and categories, alongside offering servicing and repairs.
On top of traditional road, gravel and electric bikes, the business has seen particularly strong interest in electric bikes, which have become an increasingly important part of its range. It also supports commuters across Cornwall, including employees at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro.
Located close to the A30 in the centre of Cornwall, the new Summercourt site will give the business a more prominent base from which to serve customers across the whole county, while creating additional capacity to support its growing online presence.
