A YORK cycling business is gearing up for the arrival of the Tour de Yorkshire by becoming the latest business to hire an apprentice.

Your Bike Shed, in Micklegate, has benefited from the increasing popularity and interest in cycling.

Now the cycling café and bike repairs business has turned to York Apprenticeship Hub, run by City of York Council, to recruit an apprentice to service increased demand.

Business owners Martin Harman and Adele Procter are preparing for the first Tour de Yorkshire, taking place from May 1 to 3, by offering customers live coverage on big screens.

Mr Harman said: "Interest in cycling has grown hugely during the last three years and that has had a direct impact on our business.

"Business is growing and we need an extra pair of hands to help with repairs in the workshop so that I can concentrate on running the business.

"We are now recruiting an apprentice to support our expansion. The service from York Apprenticeship Hub has been excellent, explaining all the benefits, finding the training provider and advertising the job."

Julia Massey, Learning City Partnership manager at City of York Council said: "It is great that Your Bike Shed are the latest SME to hire an apprentice using the York Apprenticeship Hub.

"Over the past couple of years the work of the York Apprenticeship Hub and partners across the city has seen a growth in the number of apprenticeship opportunities available to young people and businesses are recognising the benefits of hiring an apprentice."