Devon Moto, the independent dealer which grew out of a Wheels 2 Work scheme, has been forced to close with the loss of four full-time jobs. Max Jowett, CEO of Devon Moto and Devon Wheels 2 Work, announced on Facebook that the shop would cease trading on 13 October.
“We reluctantly decided to close the trading arm of the business and concentrate on the loan scheme,” he told BDN, “but we have had a very tough year. In April our premises were hit by a catastrophic flood which damaged a large proportion of our showroom stock. We were unable to trade, had to close the doors for six weeks to get everything back in order, and to be honest we never really recovered from that.”
He added that the general downturn in the market contributed, as well as Devon Moto’s CCM franchise. It took on the Lancashire marque in March 2016 but Jowett said the promised local sales leads did not transpire and only six GP450 adventure bikes were sold.
Devon Moto and the Wheels 2 Work scheme worked in partnership. The latter is a non-profit social enterprise, which Jowett set up in 2000 and built up into the second largest Wheels 2 Work scheme in the UK, with 100 bikes on the road.
Tony Campbell, CEO of the Motor Cycle Industry Association, said: “We know Max well through his work on the Wheels 2 Work Association board and were really sad to hear about the closure of the dealership.”
Despite the demise of Devon Moto, Devon Wheels 2 Work will carry on.
Full story in the next issue of BDN.