The Electric Cycle Company has launched a £70,000 crowdfunding campaign to refurbish its new 4000 sq ft base in Edinburgh.
The firm is to increase its retail space and workshop fourfold after more than doubling its sales during coronavirus. It says the new premises will be the UK's largest specialist ebike store.
The move after 10 years at its to current premises on Granton Road is due to get underway next week and will take around six weeks to complete.
The new shop, which will open in early September, is to be carbon-neutral with solar panels on the roof and battery banks to power lighting and bike charging. Heating will be provided by a biomass boiler powered by the waste packaging the business creates.
The ECC hopes e-bike customers, new and old will be keen to ‘pay forward’ into the crowdfunding campaign in return for future discounts on e-bike products, accessories and services.
Managing director Neill Hope said: "We’ve always been the largest e-bike specialist in Scotland, continuously at the forefront of the industry. My dad started the Electric Cycle Company in 2006. I took over 10 years ago and moved it into proper retail premises on Granton Road.
"Since then we have seen our turnover increase year on year, by as much as 500% over this period. Our staff numbers have increased from two to 10 and we now have the widest range of electric bikes in Scotland.
"This is something I could never have imagined when my family started the business from the back of my Dad's office, as an offshoot from his plastering company. We also have the added benefit of being backed by the North Edinburgh Community.
“Since the start of the Covid-19 lockdown there has been a revolution in cycling and our sales have increased by more than 100%, as compared with the same period in 2019. With such a high demand for e-bike sales and maintenance, the Granton Road bike shop and workshop are just too small to operate as safely and efficiently as we want. Our move can't come quick enough."
