SMC, a long-standing retailer in the Sheffield bike scene, is closing its showroom this summer after 25 years. Owner Frank Hayes, is winding down his working life, selling the premises, and focusing on his smaller store, Steel City Classics, in nearby Unstone.
“I’m closing the Sheffield branch because I’m over 60 and want to slow down and spend more time with the family,” Hayes told BDN. “We’ve been in business for 25 years, and I never really had an exit plan. It was only when talking to the family that they said I need to slow down a bit.”
Hayes decided to close at the end of last year and aims to finalise the closure by August. “We started the process in December, and we wanted to inform the staff first. We waited until March so they could start looking for other jobs or stay with us until the end of August. We’re taking some staff across to Steel City. We talked to the staff, and then our manufacturers. Ducati, want us to stay with them and will move to our other premises; all our suppliers have been supportive. I’ve received some lovely messages, and people have actually come by in person to say thanks.”
Frank Hayes, SMC’s ownerHayes is selling the SMC premises instead of the business as a going concern. “I didn’t want to sell the business because I started it and wanted to finish it; I didn’t want someone else to come in. I own the property and am selling it. Any outstanding warranties or commitments will still be honoured at our Steel City branch. The SMC property is 15,000sq.ft, and we’re putting it on the open market. It won’t necessarily be a bike shop, but we’ve had some people from the trade inquire about it.”
The Steel City store in Unstone is managed by Flip Taylor and is also an Indian dealership, which Hayes believes will now expand. “We’ll develop at Unstone, it’s a nice area, nice shop, we have some classics, some used bikes, and obviously Indian. We’re going to revamp and extend it and renovate the workshop. We had 22 staff members at Sheffield; there are six to eight staff members at Steel City, so it’s easier to manage. We see big things for it.
“All the Sheffield staff have found new opportunities, but some are staying to clear the remaining stock. We have ramps, desks, chairs, parts, and clothing available for any dealers interested. Get in touch if you’re interested!”
SMC
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