British bike manufacturer Ribble Cycles has opened a new showroom in Bristol.
The Preston-based brand, which has supplied cycles for professional riders such as previous Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas, is currently undergoing a planned roll-out of new stores across the country.
Its new Bristol store, which opened on Monday (September 20) at The Mall in Cribbs Causeway, is the company’s fifth in the UK, following recent openings in Birmingham, Nottingham and its new flagship showroom in Clitheroe, Lancashire.
The business said that more showrooms are scheduled to open in the next 18 months.
The Bristol site has created six new jobs so far, with a representative of the company saying there was potential for “further scope and local recruitment”.
The 1,500 sq ft unit, which will operate seven days a week, will showcase more than 25 bikes from the company’s range, with interactive screens and a video wall helping consumers to customise a bike to their own specifications.
The company said it would be using the Bristol store to hold events, seminars, screenings and product evenings to help the brand “further connect with the wider cycling audience” and local community.
Ribble Cycles commercial director David Stacey said: “The Mall is a destination shopping centre with easy access and great transport links, high consumer footfall and resident premium global brands that share our values.
“Furthermore, Bristol and the South West have such a strong cycling legacy and heritage that aligns perfectly with our brand vision and strong existing regional consumer base - all prime considerations for when opening a state of the art Ribble showroom.”
In August Ribble, which has been backed by private equity firm True Capital Partners since 2015, reported a near doubling of its revenues to £18.2m, with pre-tax losses slashed by nearly £2m, during its latest financial year.
The business, which claims to be among the first bike shops to develop a mail order service, said its strong sales were driven by transitioning its principal business focus from parts and accessories to the design and sale of complete bicycles.
Founded in 1897, Ribble has expanded its product offering in recent years by moving into growing markets including electric bikes.
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