AN ENTERPRISE which aims “to bring the enjoyment of cycling to everyone” has grown from being a home-based business to exporting all around the world.

York-based Jorvik Tricycles, which is in the running for the Exporter and Small Business of the Year titles in The Press Business Awards, was set up by James Walker in February 2014 after he tried to find a suitable bicycle for his father, who suffers from the later stages of Parkinson’s Disease and wanted to keep fit.

Mr Walker soon realised there was a real need for affordable good quality tricycles and he felt those already on the market were either very expensive or in some cases were very poor quality and not very aesthetically pleasing.

“He could see there was a real demand for stylish tricycles that would suit the needs of customers who may have mobility issues, be a novice rider or a competent cyclist who just wants the ease of a three-wheeled bike and room for their shopping but within a price bracket people could afford.”

After a year of trials with various manufacturers he finally found a company he was happy which produces high-end, well-known branded cycles.

The business was started in Mr Walker’s home and the first tricycles were built in his front room with the office in an upstairs bedroom.

“At first sales were slow, roughly selling one tricycle per week, but the business quickly grew as James’s ethos of giving outstanding customer service, along with the quality and price of the product struck a real chord with customer needs.”

Within a couple of months the business moved into a small storage facility with an adjoining office and workshop, then within five months  growing orders meant Jorvik Tricycles transferred to a 2,000 sq foot warehouse with offices and showroom in the centre of York.

Two more office staff were hired to join Mr Walker and senior office manager Emma Donkin, along with a cycle technician with over 30 years experience and a warehouse manager.

The range has grown from one model to more 17 different varieties in a multitude of colours which suit individual customer needs and is still constantly upgrading the tricycles to try and make them the best on the market.

The majority of its sales are web-based, with nearly half of them leaving the UK, mostly to Europe, but also to such countries as Jordan, Australia, Taiwan, parts of Africa and the Philippines. The company also has a huge client base in Canada and the USA.

“The volume of export is so high that James took on a web developer to design and build international sites to accommodate the customer’s language, currency and requirements.

“He has also had a tailormade order management system built to provide the best possible service to all his customers. This is being reflected in the outstanding feedback we have.

“There are also customers coming daily to the showroom to try before they buy, which we more than welcome.

“Due to a large number of calls from customers in the UK and abroad specifically wanting a Jorvik tricycle but wanting to try before they purchase we are now supplying to cycle shops/outlets. The aim is to have a stockist in every major city worldwide.”

Mr Walker is also is keen to help charities, and has donated tricycles to the Pedal for Parkinson’s campaign and the MS society.