Cycle shop opens branch at York Station (From York Press)
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Cycle Heaven opens branch at York Station
9:10am Tuesday 12th July 2011 in Business news
Manager Richard Gregory, front, and Eric Saner at the new Cycle Heaven shop at York Station
A NEW cycle shop has opened at York Station, as rail operators look to make the site more accessible to cyclists.
York retailer Cycle Heaven is behind the venture, and is offering cycle sales, repairs and hire to the hundreds of cyclists who use the station every day.
Founder and director Andy Shrimpton said the idea was likely to spread nationwide as travel patterns begin to shift away from car dependence to more diverse modes of getting around.
The new shop also sells folding bikes so customers can arrive with bike in hand – by train, car, bus or taxi.
Mr Shrimpton said: “We’re thrilled to be at York Station. It’s been an instructive and somewhat challenging experience as a small independent retailer moving into an environment largely populated by large corporate businesses, but we stuck at it and we think we’ve created a unique and beautiful space in a formerly moribund part of the station.
“In business terms, it’s a great strategic fit, but as I’ve always been a railway enthusiast, as much as a bicycle romantic, there’s an emotional connection there too.
“We’re delighted to be joining the railway community and have been made very welcome.”
Later this month, East Coast will unveil further improvements for cyclists using the station.
New access routes are to be opened up at the north and south ends of the station, making the building more accessible for cyclists.
Tim Hedley-Jones, East Coast’s property and projects director, said: “We are delighted to welcome Cycle Heaven to York station – we’re sure their facilities will be much in demand in York, which has many hundreds of keen cyclists.
“Many travellers use pedal power to reach York station, enjoying the convenience of free and secure cycle parking within the building. The sales, repair and hire service which Cycle Heaven now offers will complement the facilities already in place for cyclists, and the keenly-awaited access improvements which are just around the corner.”
Comments(52)
spiritofyork
says...
9:20am Tue 12 Jul 11
polar_action
says...
9:31am Tue 12 Jul 11
cherokee
says...
9:37am Tue 12 Jul 11
Ignatius Lumpopo
says...
9:58am Tue 12 Jul 11
Mr Happy
says...
10:18am Tue 12 Jul 11
Just ignore the one or two morons above.
yorkshirelad
says...
10:21am Tue 12 Jul 11
Tally115
says...
10:50am Tue 12 Jul 11
themaff
says...
11:41am Tue 12 Jul 11
Spider24
says...
12:20pm Tue 12 Jul 11
mrcharly
says...
12:38pm Tue 12 Jul 11
The shop looks good and that will help with the impression visitors to York receive when they exit the station.
CHISSY1
says...
12:44pm Tue 12 Jul 11
invisibleman
says...
12:51pm Tue 12 Jul 11
binsysmith
says...
12:58pm Tue 12 Jul 11
hokey cokey
says...
1:12pm Tue 12 Jul 11
binsysmith wrote:binsy, you obviously do not cycle to the station, because if you did then you would notice the hundreds of bikes shackled up in the racks. So these are all potential customers for new bikes/servicing/ accessories. And then there are the visitors who might prefer to cycle round the city where the bus doesn't go or is very slow, and at £15 for the day you wouldn't get many taxi fares.
Although I find the concept of this brilliant,I can't help thinking it isn't going to work. On alighting a train my first thought is a taxi or bus not £249.99 for a bike.just what is the idea?? I'm not running it down, just can't help thinking the strategy is confusing.
It is good to see a local business expanding in austere times. I wish them every success!!
Pete the Brickie
says...
1:24pm Tue 12 Jul 11
CHISSY1, SELBY says...
12:44pm Tue 12 Jul 11
They did away with the Cafe at Selby, when I'm at the station I would rather watch the trains and write down their numbers while having a coffee than riding a bike. So where is the shop?
The new bike shop is at York railway station, Selby railway station is an entirely different place. Trains can however be seen and their numbers noted at either location. You can also ride on a train from one station to the other after paying money for the appropriate ticket of course.
themaff
says...
1:28pm Tue 12 Jul 11
spaco-opinion
says...
2:04pm Tue 12 Jul 11
If they have to offer finance packages for the prices of some of the new bikes they sell!
pip007
says...
2:25pm Tue 12 Jul 11
CHISSY1
says...
3:45pm Tue 12 Jul 11
Pete the Brickie wrote:Your attempt at being funny has failed yet again.Why do you come out with such rubbish,it does not make sense.
Good luck with it, anyone brave enough to try a new idea, invest in it and employ people deserves praise and support these days. Now down to business.
CHISSY1, SELBY says...
12:44pm Tue 12 Jul 11
They did away with the Cafe at Selby, when I'm at the station I would rather watch the trains and write down their numbers while having a coffee than riding a bike. So where is the shop?
The new bike shop is at York railway station, Selby railway station is an entirely different place. Trains can however be seen and their numbers noted at either location. You can also ride on a train from one station to the other after paying money for the appropriate ticket of course.
oldgoat
says...
3:53pm Tue 12 Jul 11
invisibleman wrote:and what did they say when you took the bike back to have the repair done again?
My only experience of this shop was taking a slow puncure to be repaired at thier Bishopthorpe road branch - they blew the tyre up and charged me about £7 for this. It was flat before I got home in Southbank. I hope it does well - NOT
Given that it takes maybe 10 minutes to repair a slow puncture at home, £7 seems a lot.
pedalling paul
says...
3:57pm Tue 12 Jul 11
Ignatius Lumpopo wrote:The station belongs to Notwork Rail but is leased to its principal Train Operator, East Coast.
"Later this month... new access routes are to be opened up...". These will be the access routes scheduled to open back in April, running three months late. About par for the course for East Coast Trains.
A pleasure to see this facility opened. Well done Andy & team. I wonder whether we'll ever achieve a double deck multi-story bike park, like the one outside Amsterdan Centraal station.
binsysmith
says...
4:51pm Tue 12 Jul 11
hokey cokey wrote:i think its a super idea as a place to do running repairs for commuters however a cycle showroom seems a bit pointless on the station concourse.i also think £15 a day hire is too much.if you were here for a fortnight you may as well buy one outright!!!
binsysmith wrote: Although I find the concept of this brilliant,I can't help thinking it isn't going to work. On alighting a train my first thought is a taxi or bus not £249.99 for a bike.just what is the idea?? I'm not running it down, just can't help thinking the strategy is confusing.binsy, you obviously do not cycle to the station, because if you did then you would notice the hundreds of bikes shackled up in the racks. So these are all potential customers for new bikes/servicing/ accessories. And then there are the visitors who might prefer to cycle round the city where the bus doesn't go or is very slow, and at £15 for the day you wouldn't get many taxi fares. It is good to see a local business expanding in austere times. I wish them every success!!
geoff tibletts
says...
5:01pm Tue 12 Jul 11
binsysmith
says...
5:07pm Tue 12 Jul 11
geoff tibletts wrote:if you cant take this serious geoff tibletts,i suggest you put on your false titties and get on your bike!!!
sounds like a great idea.however i for one cant stand cycling near york station it is full of drunk geordies wearing false breasts
yorkandproud
says...
5:42pm Tue 12 Jul 11
CHISSY1 wrote:Forum idiot CHISSY1 with yet another pathetic remark. Personally, if I was at the station "i'd rather have an ice cream than a motorbike". That makes about as much sense. Give it up, will you.
They did away with the Cafe unsightly,if i was at the station i would rather have a coffee than a bike.So where is the shop?.
dodgydavereturns
says...
5:48pm Tue 12 Jul 11
pedalling paul wrote:I think I would prefer to see other ventures from Amsterdam arrive in York before one of those!!!
Ignatius Lumpopo wrote: "Later this month... new access routes are to be opened up...". These will be the access routes scheduled to open back in April, running three months late. About par for the course for East Coast Trains.The station belongs to Notwork Rail but is leased to its principal Train Operator, East Coast. A pleasure to see this facility opened. Well done Andy & team. I wonder whether we'll ever achieve a double deck multi-story bike park, like the one outside Amsterdan Centraal station.
again
says...
6:03pm Tue 12 Jul 11
Mark-In-Acomb
says...
6:11pm Tue 12 Jul 11
dodgydavereturns wrote:Don't expect any music at the lap dancing club though!
pedalling paul wrote:I think I would prefer to see other ventures from Amsterdam arrive in York before one of those!!!
Ignatius Lumpopo wrote: "Later this month... new access routes are to be opened up...". These will be the access routes scheduled to open back in April, running three months late. About par for the course for East Coast Trains.The station belongs to Notwork Rail but is leased to its principal Train Operator, East Coast. A pleasure to see this facility opened. Well done Andy & team. I wonder whether we'll ever achieve a double deck multi-story bike park, like the one outside Amsterdan Centraal station.
NoMorePlease
says...
6:35pm Tue 12 Jul 11
If a bike is taken as a euphemism, this sounds rather interesting
Arblaster
says...
6:53pm Tue 12 Jul 11
Sadly, years ago it was oh-so easy to take a bike on the train, and with the oft-times added bonus of sitting in the guard's van with one's machine. The train took me to most places, and my bike reached the parts the train could not.
Nowadays, the railway companies have conspired to make this dual transport idea somewhere between ridiculously expensive and almost impossible.
Spread the gospel, Cycle Heaven! Pedal the truth and ignore those who peddle lies.....
oi oi savaloy
says...
7:52pm Tue 12 Jul 11
geoff tibletts wrote:i agree! i wonder how much a puncture kit will cost in cycle heaven? bet its more than a blue stripe 1 from tesco.
sounds like a great idea.however i for one cant stand cycling near york station it is full of drunk geordies wearing false breasts
i'm a lady you know
oi oi savaloy
says...
8:01pm Tue 12 Jul 11
he will be able to buy numerous bikes, bike parts and get some coffee and sandwiches from the numerous food outlets and then charge them to the taxpayer.
yorkshirelad
says...
8:53pm Tue 12 Jul 11
The folk at Cycle Heaven know a thing or two about cycling and York and I predict it will be a booming success.
CHISSY1
says...
11:17pm Tue 12 Jul 11
yorkandproud wrote:I can always get a from response from people like you,makes my day.Admit it you look forward to my posts,always something for you to think about.
CHISSY1 wrote:Forum idiot CHISSY1 with yet another pathetic remark. Personally, if I was at the station "i'd rather have an ice cream than a motorbike". That makes about as much sense. Give it up, will you.
They did away with the Cafe unsightly,if i was at the station i would rather have a coffee than a bike.So where is the shop?.
Even AndyD
says...
9:41am Wed 13 Jul 11
antitrainspotter wrote:Utter rubbish. Impracticable is queuing for an hour at rush hour to travel four miles. I've a car and am in Poppleton, if I want to go to the city centre, I bike or take the train. No parking costs, no queues and often quicker.
A meeting of the minds, two useless and inpracticable forms of transport in the same place. Actually going nowhere where you want to go! Destined to close within 3 months.
Even AndyD
says...
9:43am Wed 13 Jul 11
hokey cokey wrote:Agreed - was at the station yesterday, there are literally hundreds of bikes parked there. Sometimes its not easy to find a space.
binsysmith wrote:binsy, you obviously do not cycle to the station, because if you did then you would notice the hundreds of bikes shackled up in the racks. So these are all potential customers for new bikes/servicing/ accessories. And then there are the visitors who might prefer to cycle round the city where the bus doesn't go or is very slow, and at £15 for the day you wouldn't get many taxi fares.
Although I find the concept of this brilliant,I can't help thinking it isn't going to work. On alighting a train my first thought is a taxi or bus not £249.99 for a bike.just what is the idea?? I'm not running it down, just can't help thinking the strategy is confusing.
It is good to see a local business expanding in austere times. I wish them every success!!
Arblaster
says...
10:20am Wed 13 Jul 11
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Impracticable?
Both forms of transport have been 'practicable' for 150 years or more. Perhaps you mean 'impractical', although experiment would prove that is also near-to-complete nonsense. And a bike after all, goes to where its rider wants.
I suggest you get on yours and pedal off to the library, where you can consult a dictionary.
pedalling paul
says...
11:59am Wed 13 Jul 11
Arblaster wrote:Love it...more please!
......."two useless and inpracticable forms of transport in the same place. Actually going nowhere where you want to go..." I quote.....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Impracticable?
Both forms of transport have been 'practicable' for 150 years or more. Perhaps you mean 'impractical', although experiment would prove that is also near-to-complete nonsense. And a bike after all, goes to where its rider wants.
I suggest you get on yours and pedal off to the library, where you can consult a dictionary.
spaco-opinion
says...
1:37pm Wed 13 Jul 11
antitrainspotter
says...
2:16pm Wed 13 Jul 11
I thought I would make the effort to make a case/answer to your pedantic ramblings why train travel is impractical for me, just to show other peoples point of view that you obviously don’t want to know or understand!
The door to door journey from A to B for most real life journeys (excepting central London) is longer/costlier due to having to go to the station in the centre of the city and then get from the station at the other end to the actual journey end as well.
Example 1:
Strensal to Sandsend - car: get in car drive to Sandsend, approx 40 miles and takes 1 hour and 1 gallon of diesel (£6.50) car can hold 5 persons that’s less than £1.50 each.
By train: get into York by car/bus/cycle - 30 mins £3.00 each, get on train and go to Darlington, change trains and get to Whitby approx 2 hours on the train including connection time cost approx £12, then make your own way to sandsend by foot - 45 minutes. Never mind the return journey! Cost £15 each.
Example 2:
Tollerton to Hawes - Car: get in car and drive to Hawes, approx 60 miles takes 1 1/2 hours and uses 1 1/2 gallons of diesel (£10), car takes 5 people so approx £2 each.
By train: get into York by car/cycle/bus - none - 30 mins, get on train and go to Leeds, change trains and get to Garsdale Head approx 3 hours on the train including connection time cost approx £15, then make your own way to Hawes by foot 1 hour as there is no bus. Never mind the return journey! Cost £15 each.
do you want some more examples of how impractical it is?
The above examples do not factor in the timetable foibles and Sunday - less trains etc, so it actually gets worse.
So for people that go to places and do activities when there, using the train/cycling is totally impracticable, only any good in an urban environment and want to stay there.
So until the train system can improve where it actually goes, its prohibitive costs, service improvements etc it will not be a real life alternative for most journeys. Also the journey sat in a carriage with other members of the public is frankly not on, some of them would be taking train numbers - how offensive. Case rests.
eldirt
says...
3:01pm Wed 13 Jul 11
Strange to note that the security words I have to enter to post this are true-hate, let’s hope this isn't a theme for the rest of the comments.
And I must say to spaco-opinion - LOL! :)
Old_Man
says...
3:06pm Wed 13 Jul 11
brummiebob
says...
7:58pm Wed 13 Jul 11
cherokee wrote:And spectacles for drivers? And measuring sticks so they can measure the distance ( a cars width) they should leave when passing a bike?
Will they be selling lights and copies of the Highway Code
piaggio
says...
10:48pm Wed 13 Jul 11
yep ,noticed this outside centraal station,amazing ,also noticed in the dam .NOBODY wears helmets,not even the kids............only the stupid brits (spot em a mile ).there again the dam is FLAT.ideal for pushbikes.perfect.
dodgydavereturns
says...
6:44pm Fri 15 Jul 11
antitrainspotter wrote:Woo Hoo!
Arblaster/Piddling Paul
I thought I would make the effort to make a case/answer to your pedantic ramblings why train travel is impractical for me, just to show other peoples point of view that you obviously don’t want to know or understand!
The door to door journey from A to B for most real life journeys (excepting central London) is longer/costlier due to having to go to the station in the centre of the city and then get from the station at the other end to the actual journey end as well.
Example 1:
Strensal to Sandsend - car: get in car drive to Sandsend, approx 40 miles and takes 1 hour and 1 gallon of diesel (£6.50) car can hold 5 persons that’s less than £1.50 each.
By train: get into York by car/bus/cycle - 30 mins £3.00 each, get on train and go to Darlington, change trains and get to Whitby approx 2 hours on the train including connection time cost approx £12, then make your own way to sandsend by foot - 45 minutes. Never mind the return journey! Cost £15 each.
Example 2:
Tollerton to Hawes - Car: get in car and drive to Hawes, approx 60 miles takes 1 1/2 hours and uses 1 1/2 gallons of diesel (£10), car takes 5 people so approx £2 each.
By train: get into York by car/cycle/bus - none - 30 mins, get on train and go to Leeds, change trains and get to Garsdale Head approx 3 hours on the train including connection time cost approx £15, then make your own way to Hawes by foot 1 hour as there is no bus. Never mind the return journey! Cost £15 each.
do you want some more examples of how impractical it is?
The above examples do not factor in the timetable foibles and Sunday - less trains etc, so it actually gets worse.
So for people that go to places and do activities when there, using the train/cycling is totally impracticable, only any good in an urban environment and want to stay there.
So until the train system can improve where it actually goes, its prohibitive costs, service improvements etc it will not be a real life alternative for most journeys. Also the journey sat in a carriage with other members of the public is frankly not on, some of them would be taking train numbers - how offensive. Case rests.
Stick that up your saddle sore ar**s boys!
Well said!
greenmonkey
says...
10:08pm Fri 15 Jul 11
In response to Old Man you can now buy a decent lock from the Bike Hub next to Lendal Bridge as well as this new shop on the station or cheaper still you could have simply left the bike secure at the Bike Hub for £1 per day and saved the cost of your Argos lock!
Arblaster
says...
12:14pm Sat 16 Jul 11
However, anybody sensibly not overburdened by his streak of pessimism and Clarksonesque car-obsessivness would realise that a bike can add a five, ten (or more; how fit are you?) mileage radius to any railway station, and thus make a myriad of journeys perfectly feasible. I accept, however, the cost and confusion of taking one's bike on the train is severely prohibitive. Having to pay extra for a bike-shaped piece of luggage is absurd.
I do drive a car, by the way. I cannot understand why anybody should be prejudiced against any form of transport. Every mode thereof has its place.
For the summit of Annapurna, I suggest stout boots....
arglemcgee
says...
10:31pm Sun 17 Jul 11
Magicman!
says...
3:23am Mon 18 Jul 11
cherokee wrote:let's hope so, and then we can thrown the highway code at all the motorists who overtake and immediately turn left without indicating, turn on/off at roundabouts without insicating, overtake on mini roundabouts, fail to look at junctions/roundabout
Will they be selling lights and copies of the Highway Code
s, overtakes a parked vehicle/bus in narrow street when oncoming vehicle has right of way, parks in cycle lane, overtakes cycle then instantly has to stop right in front of bike due to parked car and oncoming traffic, overtakes too fast and too close, turns right directly across path of oncoming cycle going at 25mph only then to perform illegal u-turn, does any of the above and when cyclist honks loud horn at motorist the motorist honks horn back as if to say "I'm in a car and can do what i like"........ Please try and think through comments and construct them in a proper manner before you apply the same old generic stereotype to cyclists - unless you want to go an join Mike Usherwood's "lets complain about evil cyclists are destroying thsi city" club.
greenmonkey
says...
3:53pm Mon 18 Jul 11
Arblaster
says...
4:20pm Mon 18 Jul 11
And we could all film the pedestrians who take the street named 'Pavement' too literally and stroll about it as if nothing on wheels is likely to need that particular road-space.
Possibly we might have a little harmony between all road, rail and pavement users, eh?
antitrainspotter says...
9:20am Tue 12 Jul 11