August saw another dealer closure, this time in North London. Bikestrobe, in Barnet, closed its doors on 5 August, blaming the general financial climate and increasing costs. The dealership had been operating for 23 years, with the last 15 years at the Barnet location, selling new and used bikes, as well as offering repairs and accessories for sale.
The company sold the Quadzilla, Peugeot, Benelli, Keyway and Kymco brands, and was the oldest Zontes dealer in the country. At one point, it was also selling 10% of the total number of Bullit bikes sold in the UK.
In an online statement, the firm said it was the end of an era. The financial climate, cost burdens on self-employed and small businesses, and the general state of the economy meant it couldn’t go on.
Owner Marlon Medway confirmed the news, saying: “It wasn’t worth doing any more. By the time you pay everyone, there’s nothing left. It never used to be like that.
“Sales were down a bit, but not terribly – we were achieving sort of normal-ish numbers. But the margins weren’t changing, and the bills were just going up. When you’re making 30%, but you’re paying out most of that in overheads, it just isn’t worth it.”
Medway is now moving out of the retail bike trade altogether. “I’ve started another business doing film and TV tracking vehicles – camera trucks, ATVs and motorcycles. I’ve bought a fleet of vehicles, and I’m starting to hire some out and even doing some driving. We’re having two bikes built specially for it – one electric bike and one big BMW, plus a small electric trike.”
Medway’s new firm is www.velocitytrackingvehicles.com.