God. I still remember buying my first proper mountain bike from them back in 2003. Spent nearly £400 I'd saved from my summer job – felt like a fortune at the time.
After almost three decades serving cycling enthusiasts in Northampton's town centre, Cycle King is shutting its doors at its iconic Kettering Road location. The beloved bike shop that's been a fixture since 1997 is packing up – but thankfully not disappearing completely.
Why leave now? It's complicated...
The four-storey building that's housed countless bikes, parts, and cycling dreams over the years is headed to auction on May 22nd with Stretton Auctions slapping a £375,000 price tag on it. I drove past yesterday and felt a weird pang seeing teh familiar storefront knowing it won't be there much longer.
Julian Thake, the company's director, explained their reasoning with a hint of nostalgia: "We have proudly traded in Northampton for nearly 28 years. In this time, there have been many changes to the retail environment which require assessment on how to best adapt for the future."
Translation: city centres are bloody difficult for retailers these days.
The building's showing its age
Let's be honest – that building has character but it's seen better days. Thake didn't sugarcoat it: "The property has served us very well, however, it is showing its age in areas and has limitations for modern retail operation."
I've been in there at least a dozen times over the years. Those narrow stairs to the second floor were a nightmare when trying to maneuver a new bike down them. And parking? Forget about it.
Where are they going?
Here's where it gets a bit mysterious.
Thake revealed they're hunting for an out-of-town location but couldn't spill the beans just yet: "We are looking to relocate to an out-of-town location. However, at this stage we have not managed to fully finalise the purchase, so are unable to confirm our proposed new location."
My guess? Somewhere with actual parking and room to display more than 10 bikes without creating an obstacle course. Probably one of those retail parks where you can actually test ride without dodging pedestrians.
50 YEARS of getting Britain on bikes!
Cycle King's history goes back further than many realize. The founder opened his first shop in Sawbridgeworth way back in 1972 (when flares were still in fashion the first time around). The "Cycle King" name emerged in the early 80s, around the time I was learning to ride without stabilizers.
They acquired Hawk Cycles bicycle factory in 1994 and even manufactured bikes until 2010 before the two brands merged. The combined Cycle King and Hawk Cycles celebrated their golden anniversary in 2018.
My brother-in-law swears they built the sturdiest commuter bikes he's ever owned. His lasted 12 years of daily abuse before the frame finally cracked.
Customer loyalty runs deep
With over 23 locations nationwide and a stellar 4.5-star rating from more than 200 Google reviews, they must be doing something right.
One customer named Simon recently wrote: "I bought my bicycle here about three years ago and am still happily riding it! I have been in many times since for maintenance and repairs and have always had a good job done by the friendly and professional staff here."
Sounds about right. My last visit, the mechanic spent 20 minutes helping me diagnose a weird clicking sound without charging me a penny. Try getting that service from one of those online giants.
Not leaving Northampton behind
For locals panicking about where to get their bikes serviced, Thake offered reassurance: "Customers can be rest assured that we will continue to offer our great service in and around the Northampton area."
Until the new location is revealed, the closest branches are in Milton Keynes, Coventry, Cambridge, and Oxford. Not exactly convenient for a quick inner tube replacement.
I'll miss that quirky old building. Had my first proper road bike fitted there in 2009.
Change happens, I suppose. At least they're not disappearing completely like so many other independent retailers. Just relocating to somewhere with actual parking, hopefully.
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