User:Rhagfyr/sandbox draft 10

Brixton Cycles is a workers co-operative bike shop in the London borough of Lambeth. Established in 1983.

It's formation was part of an increasing trend in the 1970s and 1980s of cycling shops co-op movement across the United Kingdom. Inspired by the Edinburgh Bicycle co-op,

The founders who were keen long distance cyclists apparently germinated the idea for the shop on a long ride from Lands end to John O'Groats.

History
Coldharbour Lane shop

The shop first opened in a small space in 435-437 Coldharbour Lane just two years after the Brixton Uprising, at a point that many other businesses had left the area. Founders said early intention was to make a positive social impact.

Early brands sold by the shop at this time included Specialized, Bicycle Chain, Marin and Kona.

Stockwell Road

The shop moved to 145 Stockwell Road in May 2001, sitting alongside Stockwell Skatepark the shop also supported the local skating and BMX community who used the park.

The shop saw a boom in 2009 when demand for hybrid/commuter bikes outstripped availability.

In 2010 police officers who asked the shop to fix their bikes, left multiple bills unpaid.

In 2010 a service typically cost £70.

In 2011 the shop saw a big increase in sales of bike tools as shoppers were moving towards building their own bikes.

In 2014 the shop won the award for Best Small Retailer at the London Cycling Awards.

The gentrification of Brixton of this era saw a rise in development, with the estate containing the Stockwell Road shop marked for demolition. Brixton Cycles quickly made a move to crowdfund to afford looking for a new premises. The community support of getting Brixton Cycles to a new premises became part of the wider Reclaim Brixton anti-gentrification activism at the time.

Brixton Road

With the shop rent tripling with the move to the Brixton Road shop, it at times it became hard for the co-op to stay afloat and open.

With an increase of requests for bike building and repairs the shop changed it's layout to double the size of the workshop.

In the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown, bicycle shops were quickly deemed essential businesses and with an increase in cycling the shop saw a large surge in orders for bicycles and repairs.

Business structure
As a workers co-operative staff are equal owners of the company and are paid an equal hourly wage. Decisions are made by consensus at the business' monthly meeting. At times of financial crisis, staff have delayed paying themselves or had to work on alternative models.

All staff work in the shop, stockroom and as mechanics in the workshop, so expertise is spread out and shared.

Equality and inclusion
The shop has had a good representation of women, published author of Bicycle maintenance books Mel Allwood once being a member of staff and director of the co-op.

The shop recognises it's community connection, history and support as part of it's success of survival.

Stock and services
The shop specialises in bikes from Trek, Specialized

The advent of online shopping has had a negative impact on the shop, with online shops without overheads such as rent being able to offer lower prices. Also the shop has felt they have been subject to showrooming.

The shop offers discounts for NHS staff and London Cycling Campaign members. It also takes the Brixton pound.

The shop has bold iconic branding, utilising AC/DC inspired imagery for merchandising and bright yellow and black exterior signage.

Cycling Club
Brixton Cycles has hosted the Brixton Cycles Club - a social club for cyclists with over 180 members in south London. Their ethos is "based on the principles of the co-operative movement".

The club has held events such as the Beastway series, which has had participants including Grayson Perry.