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not4sale
@LeChef
I can't comment on that there London but some of the comments in here ring very true when compared to the Cardiff bike scene. I volunteer in a shop called Punk Bikes on Saturdays and it's one of 5 independent shops in the area.
I've not worked there long but i have been around the shop for a few years now and in my opinion it's had to adapt to survive. We sell nearly 100% used framesets and probably over 50% used parts. We stock a very small amount new ready to go parts (chains, cassettes, seatposts, tape etc..) because we can't afford to sit on a large amount of stock. We have the suppliers lined up ready to go and just have to explain to the customers that this is the way we do it, and usually it's fine.
We are also the closest independent shop to Evans in town, maybe a 10 min walk. I think it actually helps our business. People walk round to us about 30 seconds after Evans tell them they can bring their bike back in two weeks...
The whole shop is a labour of love. I've not got any money invested but 3/4 of the guys do and i doubt they see any profits, it's more of a public service type of affair, occupying a gap in the market that other shops simply don't cater for. We survive on students, Deliveroo and Uber Eats mainly.
What it does provide though is a great hub for the cycling scene in Cardiff. I got the same feeling following/watching Cycle PS on Instagram. I've not visited them but it does seem to have a community vibe about it, it's a real shame it will be closing.