New bike shop round-up: Bikelands, High Tide and Roll for the Soul

Bikelands boutique opens doors in Devon
New Exmouth-based Bikelands is retailing bikes, art, gifts and accessories in Devon.

Bikelands owners Stuart Newlands and Rebecca Haywood have a background in the fashion and lifestyle industries as well as cycling, which is reflected in the store’s product range.

Bikelands itself is housed in an old picture gallery and alongside offering bike customisation, stocks bikes from the likes of Bobbin Bicycles, Crème Cycles, Electa, Create, Mango and Polo&Bike. The shop recently launched an online portal at www.bikelands.co.uk.

High Tide Cycles comes in to East Sussex
Specialising in second-hand and renovated bicycles, High Tide Cycles has opened in St Leonards, East Sussex. The retailer also features a workshop and hire bikes, as well as retailing new accessories.
High Tide Cycles told BikeBiz that it had serviced over 40 bikes in just the first month of trading. The shop can be found in the flesh at 6 Marine Court, St Leonards and at www.facebook.com/hightidecycles.
www.hightidecycles.co.uk

Roll for the Soul bike café to launch in Bristol
A not-for-profit café, bike shop and workshop will be launching on Quay Street in Bristol city centre in July.
Opening alongside the fourth edition of the Bristol Cycle Festival, Roll for the Soul will host cycle-related events and advocate for cycling – any surplus revenue raised will be used to support and promote cycling in Bristol, in partnership with other social enterprises like the Bristol Bike Project and the Festival. Almost £13,000 was raised for the start-up costs through Crowdfunder. More here.
www.rollforthesoul.org

Steve Toze and Chaz Curry launch Rockets and Rascals
Rockets and Rascals opened in Plymouth’s old Barbican district over Easter weekend.

Run by directors Steve Toze (of Shred fame) and mechanic Chaz Curry, the café serves Devon coffee as well as locally made cakes and snacks. The grade one listed 2,300 square foot store is retailing city bikes from Marin, Koga and Bobbin as well as performance bicycles from Koga, Yeti, Mondraker, Turner, Whyte, Bianchi and Argon 18. As well as cycling specific clothing, Rockets and Rascals also stocks casual wear and accessories from Deus Ex Machina and Stance.

Rockets and Rascals can be found at 7 Parade, Barbican, Plymouth, PL1 2JL. You can call the store on 01752 221295 or visit the website at www.rocketsandrascals.com. More here. 

In brief
Cycle Surgery opened a new store in Gateshead in April, while Trek opened its first store north of the border with Alpine Bikes and Tiso in Glasgow.

Blue Giraffe Bicycles opened in Middlesbrough at the end of last year, headed up by Chris Scott. Offering bike repairs, servicing, cycle maintenance workshops and bike hire in the North Yorks Moors, the firm offers a wide range of gear from its Riverside park location. www.bluegiraffebicycles.co.uk

South East London’s RatRaceCycles opened mid-December 2012. The Cyclefit UK trained retailer stocks mainly hybrids and road bikes, though services everything in the workshop. www.ratracecycles.com

Mountain bike focused Al’s Bikes opened in Sandown, Isle of Wight at the tail end of 2012. www.facebook.com/AlsBikes

Moritz Bikes has been running a trial shop with a view to finding a permanent location. Currently based at 214 Brick Lane, London, E1 6SA, you can find out more at www.moritzbikes.com.

If we missed your shop, let us know at BikeBiz@intentmedia.co.uk and we’ll include you in the next round-up.