Rutland Cycling opening pop up shop in South Street car park, Oakham

Rutland Cycling is setting up a pop-up workshop in Oakham from tomorrow (May 20).

The temporary initiative aims to help people get out safely on bikes to support their daily exercise.

Based in South Street car park, it will provide workshop services, cycling products and a click and collect service for orders placed on Rutland Cycling’s website.

Bike safety checks and workshop labour will be free to NHS and key workers.

David Middlemiss, director of Rutland Cycling, said: “Rutland Cycling’s purpose is to inspire more people to own and ride a bike, and we are keen to introduce as many people as possible to the personal and social benefits of cycling."

He added that the temporary shop will provide "an essential service to our local community which will hopefully encourage many more to look at the bicycle as a viable travel choice".

Coun Lucy Stephenson (Con - Uppingham), Rutland County Council portfolio holder for transport, said: “We have seen an increase in the number of people who have dusted off their bicycles to help them get their daily exercise; cycling is a great way to stay healthy while still carrying out essential travel.

“Like any form of transport, however, it is important that bicycles are well maintained, so they are roadworthy and safe to use.

"We are proud to support Rutland Cycling to establish this initiative at South Street car park in Oakham to support residents in ensuring their bikes are safe at this time.”

Rutland Cycling is a family-owned business which first opened to offer cycle hire at Rutland Water in 1981.

Today the business is one of the UK’s largest cycle retailers with 14 stores in the Midlands including those at Rutland Water: Rutland Cycling at Whitwell and a Giant brand store at Normanton.

The pop-up shop will open daily between 9.30am and 4.30pm.