BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
After a brief flit over to the home of the London Olympics, Bespoked – the UK’s handmade bicycle show – is returning to Bristol.
Running this month from Friday April 17th and over that weekend, the show brings together mini-manufacturers primarily from the UK, but also from around the world.
Set up by Phil and Tessa Taylor, Bespoked got underway with 40 exhibitors and last year attracted over 120 with local exhibitors and also from further afield, including USA, Australia and Taiwan.
On the occasion of BikeBiz’s fortuitously timed Regional Spotlight, taking in Wales and the South West, we spoke to the Bespoked show founder Phil Taylor…
He told BikeBiz: "Bespoked is returning to it’s ’spiritual’ home. After a brief trip to the Olympic Velodrome last year we are looking forwards to being back in Bristol.
"It’s a city that has made cycling an important part of it’s culture, whether commuting, pleasure or sport Bristol’s cycling culture runs deep. The engineering heritage of the city and the venues for Bespoked also add to the atmosphere.
"This year the show has spread over two of Bristol’s most iconic buildings The Arnolfini art gallery where the Constructors Challenge and the Bespoked Design and Goods Show will be as well as Brunel’s Old station home to previous Bristol shows.
"Again exhibitors from all over the world will be attending as well as the best of UK talent, with Saffron, Donhou, Woodrups and local framebuilder Robin Mather.
"On a separate note, in Stroud in Gloucestershire, there are five different framebuilders. At the show will be four: Ted James, Post, Hatfield and myself Libertine Bicycles. I bumped into someone the other day in town who had a very lovely bike and got talking to him and he was also a framebuilder, number 5."
For a taster of what to expect from Bespoked, feast your eyes on our Facebook galleries of the last two shows (2014 London & 2013 Bristol).
This month the BikeBiz Regional Spotlight is focused on Wales and the South West.
