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@Fox
Don't know really - the original shop was in Coventry and they opened one in Leamington too, both still going but only the Leamington shop is still called John Atkins cycles.
Atkins retired in '79 but not sure when he started the shops, but would have thought he would have been too busy riding to do much before then.
You could give them a ring, Leamington shop is 01926 430211. Nigel used to be the guy to talk to, as far as I can gather he was still there at least last year - if anyone knows anything would be him I think. Might be worth doing.
After he stopped being involved with the shops he moved to Wales (Pwllheli according to a quick Google) and opened a toy shop there. According to this:
http://www.penllyn.com/1/compages/pwllheli/info.html
There are only 3 toy shops in Pwllheli, so if you're really interested give them a ring and find out if one of them is the one he started. He's only 62, you might even be able to get hold of the man himself.
That's how I'd do it anyway, there's nothing like talking to the actual person who made your frame to get the story straight from the horse's mouth.