Harry's Bikes closing down...

magicbastarder · 11-11-2018 8:31pm

well, in the scenario where i saw exact figures (not cycling related - it was a flatbed scanner i was looking for), an irish online retailer was able to sell the scanner for cheaper than the city centre camera shop i was in.
said (well known) camera and imaging company don't want to deal with a city centre shop which might sell a scanner like that once a month, they'd prefer deal with an online retailer who shift five a week.

so couple the higher wholesale costs with inner city rents (well, inner city with this particular shop) compared to operating out of an industrial unit on the outskirts, the need to have staff available from opening to closing, as well as public liability insurance to have members of the public in the shop too, it's no wonder the small shops are struggling.

Type 17 · 12-11-2018 2:35pm

Deleted User wrote: »

I passed by the shop last night, and yes, a big closing down notice in the window.

Strange, I passed on Saturday, and there was a "Sale Now On" sign, but no mention of the words Closing Down. No sign of Closing Down on their FB page either, just a "Bike Sale Now On" banner at the top.

Fian · 12-11-2018 4:28pm

I noticed the "closing down sale" sign on the shop last thursday. Popped in. They confirmed they are closing this month. I was kind of surprised theyaren't staying open until after Christmas.

Sorry to see them go, I pass them on my commute. Have bought some parts there, never a bike though. Decent to deal with and helpful staff.

Type 17 · 12-11-2018 4:48pm

Fian wrote: »

I noticed the "closing down sale" sign on the shop last Thursday. Popped in. They confirmed they are closing this month. I was kind of surprised they aren't staying open until after Christmas.

Sorry to see them go, I pass them on my commute. Have bought some parts there, never a bike though. Decent to deal with and helpful staff.

Fair enough, sorry to see them going too.

They are the closest bike shop to the one where I work (Donnybrook Bikes), so people might think that we would be glad of less competition, but they concentrated on higher-end road stuff, and we concentrate on (but not exclusively) mid-range road/commuter/kids stuff, so it was never too dog-eat-dog between us, and it's never nice to see the market shrinking...

average_runner · 12-11-2018 5:48pm

magicbastarder wrote: »

well, in the scenario where i saw exact figures (not cycling related - it was a flatbed scanner i was looking for), an irish online retailer was able to sell the scanner for cheaper than the city centre camera shop i was in.
said (well known) camera and imaging company don't want to deal with a city centre shop which might sell a scanner like that once a month, they'd prefer deal with an online retailer who shift five a week.

so couple the higher wholesale costs with inner city rents (well, inner city with this particular shop) compared to operating out of an industrial unit on the outskirts, the need to have staff available from opening to closing, as well as public liability insurance to have members of the public in the shop too, it's no wonder the small shops are struggling.

Its not just small shops, even the big shops are in trouble now. Expect to see a few big ones to go next year.

City centre is now full of cafe's.

Fian · 12-11-2018 6:04pm

average_runner wrote: »

Its not just small shops, even the big shops are in trouble now. Expect to see a few big ones to go next year.

City centre is now full of cafe's.

If LBS are struggling as badly as they appear to be, despite the cycle to work scheme, you can see the writing on the wall for alot of other local retail units as well.

Groceries, newsagents, convenience stores. Other than that online is taking over. No wonder rural post offices are disappearing.

average_runner · 12-11-2018 6:06pm

Fian wrote: »

If LBS are struggling as badly as they appear to be, despite the cycle to work scheme, you can see the writing on the wall for alot of other local retail units as well.

Groceries, newsagents, convenience stores. Other than that online is taking over. No wonder rural post offices are disappearing.

Yep I agree. Why go to a shop when you can get it delivered to your desk?

depadz · 12-11-2018 6:30pm

Thinkbike seem to be opening up in terenure village in old black tie unit. Branding up on windows.

moonshadow · 16-11-2018 8:12pm

Very sorry to hear this confirmed..

We are sad to announce that at the end of November Harry's Bikes will be shutting its doors for good. We have had the pleasure to deal with some of the best brands and distributors in the world, but unfortunately, in this industry, it is getting harder and harder to compete with online brands and retailers.

From all the members of staff, we would like to thank our loyal customers who have supported the store year after year and made it such a pleasurable and enjoyable experience. We could not be any more thankful for the business you have given us.

I would also like to thank the staff that has worked for the store over the years to give it the great reputation that it has. Harrys Bikes has always been about a big team effort and every member of staff has had a huge part to play in the growth of the business over the last six years.

If you will be in the area be sure to drop in so we can say our last goodbyes. We will be clearing all of our stock over the next two weeks so keep an eye on the page tomorrow for some bargains.

Regards, Jamie Laycock

Macy0161 · 03-01-2019 1:14pm

Back open as of yesterday, dropped in my first repair and collected today. Cliff doing the mechanics, and I assume one of the sons doing upstairs, who previously ran cycleways apparently. Anyway, spoke repaired within 24 hours, when dropped within an hour or so of them opening, so my first experience was positive.