LMNH: "Look mum, no hands!" - Cycle café/bar/workshop on Old Street

Truth is after pandemic there was never the level of footfall that was needed to keep the place going. That end of old street became a ghost town. The owners were doing their best to keep it going but it was an uphill struggle. Problem is that most of the cyclists that used to stop by in numbers joined the rapha cult which itself is now part of a multinational beast. Socially The cycling club is now becoming an alternative to golf where displaying the most expensive kit and posing is becoming the norm. These guys were independent just trying to make something out of their passion for cycling with an element of fun and did tons for the community over the last decade. They provided a space when none hardly existed. They pushed for inclusion when no one else did. They helped showcase the independent and small frame builders and other self supported guys within the industry. The characters who were behind their marketing and social media had to be let go as they were just making ends meet. But nearly everyone who worked there had a passion for cycling and that showed. Many of their ex-employees went on to do great things in both the cycling and coffee industry. There was none of this corporate bullshit masquerading as independent in order to be hip and take people's cash to soulless shareholders .
The laptop crowd would generally just buy the one coffee and fill bench space so whilst the place appeared to be making money it wasn't. The workshop was the only thing that was keeping the place on its feet. There seems to be a lot of fallout from the pandemic that is sadly taking out most of the little guys in the cycle Industry. I spent a decade being a loyal customer because they are a great bunch of guys who I call friends. I'd rather spend my hard earned cash with them rather than see yet another corporate and heartless company take it. I've had many memorable times there. It's sad to see it go - I just hope someone else can step up.