Opening a new shop.

Oh I’ve read the whole Kobe scandal

So, we're suggesting
a CNC pipe bending machine to fabricate any shape/size of aluminium handlebar,
spoke threader so every broken spoke can be replaced,
fabrication zone so 'that' bracket can be fashioned from steel/galvanised steel/aluminium/titanium,
fabrication zone for 'that' rack and 'that' basket',
3-D printing machine, (plastic), 'that other' bracket in PLA etc,
3-D printing machine, (metal) , for precise bespoke length/angle stems,
suitably sized oven for carbon fibre repairs,
textile printing/embroidering machine for bespoke cyclewear,
physical stock of niche components in all colourways and sizes,
classic bike frames adorning the walls,
'that' coffee shop replicated in the shop window,
(we all want to be seen to be patronising this incredible facility),
and,
still want to be able to haggle over the price of innertubes

Sounds like the absolute dream, at this point though why not go the full hog and only sell parts that have been fabricated in store and then just become a niche bike brand and go full circle, try get stocked in other stores.

You’re going to need a beer line or two for some post ride refreshments as well

All of the comments previously are welcome and i do share many of the ideas however my pal does want to make some money out of this......

To all that have mentioned coffee, there is a bakery chain next door but one who do fine coffee

So we should open up a lfgss bike shop? The worst of the worst.

A fair number of us work in bicycle shops, quite a few on this thread.

however my pal does want to make some money out of this......

Gotta spend to make money, like actually need to take out a loan.

He need to get brand everyone know and easy to sell, and jump on the ebikes wagon as well as making sure the mechanics are trained and up to date.

He gonna have to deal with a LOTS of warranties compare to just running a workshop.

Looking back this reads bad, absolutely didn’t mean to cause offence by this, realise it may have come across that way!

Isn't the key question here how much you should charge to chase and face a BB shell?

£35 now.

employees paid 8 hours a day to argue on if we should be selling cable discs or not

Did lol.

Having looked at getting a facing tool myself, I guess this is on the higher end pricing of jobs due to tooling costs? And being a more technical job to do, similar level to wheel building in terms of knowledge, or I completely wrong.

Less to do with that, more to do with the current state of the markets.

Makes sense, definitely the more niche jobs that stores carry out are always handy, I’ve definitely relied on crown race setting and removal a few times where I’ve found shops don’t carry the tools.

Loads of different ideas and perspectives are good just incase someone touches on something that you'd wished you'd thought of but hadn't but don't let yourself get swayed too much by others. Once you have a clear idea of which direction you want to go in if that vision is welcomed and reinforced by others that probably makes for a more solid plan.

To all that have mentioned coffee, there is a bakery chain next door but one who do fine coffee

Maybe work out some deal with them where people get a free coffee with every service (purchase over £xxx, etc.)? Your mate pays for the coffee at cost, free coffee people also buy a cake, they enjoy their coffee and cake and the experience stays with them, they tell their friends, everyone wins.

'opening a new cake shop'

I’d like a cake shop that does boutique biek prtz on the side

One of those machines where you can get photos printed on the cake, buy bike then get cake with picture of it on

however my pal does want to make some money out of this......

Boring, but the key advice i've been given consistently when going down this road is to understand the numbers. Getting a grip on the business aspects may help your friend determine what is actually feasible/realistic. Maybe worth looking into a business course or as someone mentioned speaking to a business consultant. Something that's always stuck with me is that good business people generally love business, not the business.

In terms of daily revenue/passing trade another tip i've been given is that especially in hard times people love cheap sub £5 rewards to themselves. By my understanding this is part of the reason coffee has done so well. I'm sure there's other options but you shouldn't ignore the environmental impact of such stuff.

Regarding boutiquey places, the ones i know here (lifestyle, not bike) are started by people with major capital (ex bankers etc) and essentially exist on selling back to there network of rich contacts. Blue Lug have mega outreach and AFAIK do well but there's plenty of boutique bike shops in Tokyo that could only exist with financial support.

Yes didn’t think of your last point here when referring to blue lug, they definitely have a very large reach especially overseas. Probably not a suitable avenue for a local bike shop that relies more on passing trade.

They have a great network locally as well. You can go into nice clothing stores like Pilgrim and the staff display there bikes built by them which must generate a lot of attention.

People in clothes shops must get paid a lot more than they do here...

This pops up on my insta a bit
https://www.girocycles.com/ - hipster gravel + youtube presence + coffee and ridez etc etc

https://www.cyclerightbikes.co.uk/ - Northwood is hardly Kensington but they only sell stupid expensive bikes and again - coffee and cake.

Giro is in such an awks position. Like, are you supposed to stop there on the way out or the way back? Either way it's too close or too far.

In terms of daily revenue/passing trade another tip i've been given is that especially in hard times people love cheap sub £5 rewards to themselves

Lidl Bakery represent