BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
The Cycle Pit Stop, in Netil Market, Hackney, was destroyed on Saturday March 23rd in a suspected arson attack. The blaze destroyed everything, including bikes and tools, reports The Hackney Gazette.
Owner Roger Telesford set up the bike repair workshop two years ago. He told the newspaper: “It was heartbreaking to know somebody burned the place on purpose when you do so much for the community. It’s my livelihood. I’m a single father. I have a six-year-old girl at home.
He added: “Everything was completely torched. Everything went, including our tools which are worth £3,000 and bikes which were worth £4,000. There was nothing we could salvage.
“We are cyclists. We built the shop with our hands. We provide a service for the neighbourhood.”
The business was not insured, said Telesford: “It was difficult to get insurance as it’s a second hand bike shop.”
Neighbouring businesses in Netil Market have banded together to help – with Arrow Jewellery, making jewellery out of remnants of the fire to help pay for repairs at a fundraiser at the market on Saturday.
