Keen cyclists have been sharing their memories of two popular shops which have closed, blaming the rise in popularity of internet sales.
The Burton Mail previously reported that Sheffield Cycles, in Station Street, Burton, had closed its doors after 30 years, and now Barton under Needwood's Cadence Sports Shop, run by road cycling and triathlon specialist Adrian Timmis, is also closing.
While Sheffield Cycles is still running a repairs and warranty with collection service and Cadence is still operating a bike fitting service, both have ended their retail history, which has led Burton Mail readers to reminisce about the two shops.
Daz Ward said: "It is a shame, as Sheffield Cycles was fab. I spent my wages there every week back when I was 17 on bike parts when it was in New Street."
Ann Wilkins said: "I bought a bike from there when they were in New Street. It was a Raleigh, and years later a new one from the shop they are in now. They always had good service. Any repairs were done as you wait. It is a shame they are closing."
Meanwhile Chris Newell said he still had his race bike bought from Sheffield Cycles in 1989.
Vera Poynton has long-standing memories of the shop, saying: "All my kids had bikes from there most Christmases. I also got my own bikes from there. I cycled to work for more than 40 years on and off. I loved that shop. Always so helpful and friendly and, of course, reliable. Sad that it has closed."
Andy Fern said he owes the owners a lot. "That's really sad. Mark and Maxine Sheffield pretty much got me into real cycling. Mark mended my bike, trued my wheels. In his old New Street shop there was a 'tub' out-back, with recycled parts. I couldn't afford 'proper' parts. The 'tub' got me on my way and into time trialling. I owe him lots; a really nice bloke."
Past employees Ben Truman and Jason Seabridge also paid their respects to the shop, and Chris Golding remembers his work experience at Sheffield Cycles.
Others remember buying their first bikes from the store. Shaun Clifford said: "I’m still riding the bike my parents brought from there 20 years ago."
And Damien Shinoda said: "My first bike was from here when I was six years old. I remember going there. Best day of my life."
The Burton Mail previously revealed that Veneziaa's Italian Restaurant, in nearby Guild Street, Burton, had submitted outline plans to move into the Sheffield Cycles shop, creating an additional three or four full-time jobs. It is not yet clear whether this development will go ahead but the application has now been approved.
Another bike shop, Cadence, in Main Street, Barton under Needwood, has also announced its closure with owner Mr Timmis posting on his Facebook wall: "It is with great regret and a lot of heartache that I'm closing the Cadence Sport shop as a retail business.
"It is a business and personal decision; the shop has become too big for me and far too expensive for what I need. The rent was going up and they wanted a new long-term lease.
"Bike fitting still is the biggest part of what I do and I don't need a space as big as I have now to do that. The retail side of things is getting tougher and tougher. The high street is only a smart phone and tablet away, where people can shop 24-7 and find the best price within minutes wherever they are, me included.
"I'm still trading as Cadence Sport Limited. I haven't gone bust. I've now got to the point where my trade accounts are all paid which is peace of mind, so any orders I currently have will be honoured. I can now concentrate on bike fitting and working out a way of passing on my knowledge and experience."
