Tel's Stallion Cycle Shop Venture!

[TGR]

Hey Terry,

The current shop looks great - but no mugs?? Am i obsessed with coffee?

If you lease the new/old building and refurbish it, what happens if the landlord wants to either increase the rent or decides that he wants it back?

Happy and a Prosperous New Year,

Richard

 

[Tel]

It's all to be discussed and made into a contract but it's partly why the rent is so cheap....

Cups are integral with the tea, coffee, etc just add hot water

 

[TGR]

Modern coffee!!! LOL

I am sure you know what you are doing with the new shop, just thought I should point it out.

Richard

 

[FINNEY1973]

My LBS was a new start up perhaps 18/24 months ago and went into a 'corner' shop. Massively restricted in terms of space, couldn't really do the business justice. In a fairly wealthy area, so plenty of custom and health conscious folk. The owner has now moved into premises quarter of a mile down the road, 3x the size, turnover has gone through the roof as he can handle so much more stock but more importantly servicing & repairs and the space to hold bikes whilst they await to be done. He's now got 2 full time employees and every time I go in they are swamped with customers bikes - he doesn't sell bikes like you, simply services & repairs plus all the usual consumables.

To that end, I think you're in a better position as you've got bike builds & sales as an additional income stream, plus you've got coffee - he hasn't! I'd say do it, space = work = money plus that property is more visible. Get an old bike hung from the wall outside as a sign and I think you could be onto a winner.

The very best of luck to you Tel.

 

[keithglos]

Looks like you are building up quite a stock.
Depends on previous circumstances of the shop lease, but you must not fall for a full repairing lease. You may be able to take a short lease, possibly a free period because you are tidying the place. In many places the owner has to pay the "rates" on empty busness premises, where I live empty listed buildings are not subject to this.
Keep it going.
Keith.

 

[biggs682]

another busy year ahead then Tel

 

[Martin Rattler]

Good luck with your exciting new venture Tel! I'll have to try to get over to Queenborough in the summer to visit; a run out on the Mercian perhaps (or if wet, the Hyundai)
Happy New Year!

 

[PANZR]

You my friend are living the dream...and yes, I do know how hard it is to run a business and even harder to start one from scratch

 

[mattsccm]

Looks great.
Here's a suggestion, although I may have made it before. Somewhere, ideally visible from the shop, have a big metal ring or something where customers can lock their bikes.
Within a 30 mile radius of home in the Forest of Dean I have about 20 shops. Nota single one allows me to secure my bike outside. This means that I spend more time looking over my shoulder than looking at stock.
Maybe find some way of having something solid at handlebar level to avoid bars on the glass.
Good luck.

 

[Tel]

Yes I'd thought about that Matt, I inten d to fit some kind of bar along the window sill/ windows so that bikes can be padlocked up.

Thanks for the encouraging words everyone! I need them