Shrewsbury bike shop boss's grandson launches his own store
The grandson of a well-known bike shop boss has set the wheels in motion to bring cycling back home.
Mike Jones, grandson of Stan Jones, who ran Stan Jones Cycles in Shrewsbury from the early 1950s, is launching his own shop just a stone's throw from the original.
Velo Fit will be up and running soon in Longden Coleham, offering bikes, parts, and repairs.
"We've got a full workshop and we're going to offer bike servicing amongst other things," said Mike. "We're looking to open up in the next couple of weeks."
It'll be a welcome return for a familiar face and a familiar family to the bike shop trade in Shrewsbury.
Stan launched his shop, originally known as Grey Friars Cycle Depot, in Greyfriars Road, in 1951. It was later moved to Hills Lane before moving again to Wyle Cop.
After Stan died, the business was inherited by his son Tom before being passed down to Mike.
The shop was sold to Trek Cycles around six years ago so Mike and family could go and run a cycling holiday business in France.
But with the travel industry still in jeopardy due to the Covid-19 crisis, concerns over how Brexit will affect future trade and the pull of family, Mike returned to Shrewsbury to set up his shop.
"We lost a year's worth of trade and we were missing family and friends so it was the right time to come back," he said.
Mike, a veteran competitive cyclist who has been Midlands district champion seven times and national veterans champion, is enthused to see the sport increase in popularity with the Covid-19 pandemic meaning quieter roads, and the success of our national athletes.
"It has been getting more popular during the pandemic but I think it goes back further than that, since we started doing well in the Olympics. Since around 2004 to 2008 it has been getting very popular."
