TALKING SHOP

Bristol-based Bomber Bikeworks is run by Greg Lancaster. Here, the “Bomber” reflects on how Covid and Brexit have affected him…

How has Covid impacted your business, both in the workshop and the shop element?

I was forced to take time off to look after and home school my children during the first lockdown, but when schools reopened I could work full-time again. By then, there was an influx of new customers. The solid core of regulars were riding more, too, as a lot were working from home, which seemed to involve a three-hour ride every other day! Also, the boom in Zwift helped the business as I offer smarttrainer servicing.

As for the shop, Covid has played a massive role in the shortage of parts. A surge in people riding during lockdown, combined with factories closing and being short staffed in Asia, left a massive hole in the inventories of companies such as SRAM and Shimano.

How has Brexit impacted both sides of your business?

It's hard to isolate the effects on the business due to Brexit and Covid, not to mention the knock on from the Suez Canal fiasco. I can’t say Brexit has really affected me as I source all my parts from the UK, but I’m sure it's affected the suppliers massively.

How do you view the overall situation in spring 2022?

It’s all looking a lot better than it did. There’s still a shortage of full groupsets, but the majority of parts are now either available or within a sensible lead time. My projected forecast for the year ahead looks good, my customer base is growing and I’m looking at expanding into another unit.

Will any problems be overcome by, say, spring 2023?

The rumour is that Easter 2023 is the magic date that things will be “back to normal”, but I question if it will ever be. The last couple of years have changed the way I conduct business for the foreseeable future.