A CYCLE store that has promised to “revolutionise bike buying in the UK” has chosen York for its national launch.

The new concept, Cycle Republic, now open and trading in the city, is the first such store in the North.

Its arrival in Coppergate, in the heart of the cycling city, follows a deal brokered by the in-town retail team at property consultants King Sturge, Leeds, on behalf of the owner, London-based property investment company Sizewall Ltd.

Cycle Republic, a new concept from national retailer Halfords, is renting 4,000sq ft on two floors in Coppergate, on a ten-year lease, with five-yearly reviews, at an initial annual rent of £100,000.

Stephen Sunley, its pioneer manager, said the store would avoid the “niche” selling of most independent cycle shops. “They tend to sell either on-road, off-road or plain commuter vehicles, but not all three, which we offer.”

The York property was acquired by King Sturge for Sizewall Ltd, a fund of London-based London & Lothian Group, for £1.115 million last April, when it was occupied by the previous tenant, Sofa Workshop.

A surrender of the Sofa Workshop lease was brokered by King Sturge simultaneously with the new lease to Halfords.

Richard Padley, the surveyor in the King Sturge In-Town Retail Team who brokered the deal, said: “When acquiring the building we were fully aware of the Halford’s Cycle Republic concept and the company’s plans to re-invent the stand-alone cycle store format under the Cycle Republic brand.

“As York is one of the UK’s best-known cycling cities, this is a great location and a great opportunity for Halfords to launch this exciting new concept.”

A second Cycle Republic has been launched in Norwich and the aim is to open 50 outlets in the UK.