Customers left in limbo after cycle shop closes

World of Cycles, in Broughty Ferry’s Gray Street, closed its doors on Thursday.

The store, which has been trading for 18 months, specialises in servicing and repairs. It also offers a large range of bikes. The Tele understands two full-time members of staff were given no warning of the pending closure.

Speaking today, customer Karen Reilly, 33, from Craigiebank, said she went to the shop to pay a further instalment on the “Teddy” bike she had bought for her three-year-old daughter Amelia.

But when she arrived at the shop on Saturday, it was closed.

She said: “I had come down to the shop to pay another instalment on my daughter’s bike.

“There was a sign in the window advising the shop was closed until further notice, which is a concern. When I searched online, it said the shop is permanently closed.

“Part of the reason I went with the business was that I knew I could pay up the bike i n the build-up to Christmas.

“My daughter went in and picked the bike herself at t he end of September and we put down a deposit.”

Karen said she is worried the store won’t open its doors again and that she’ll lose her deposit.

She said: “The company has all my contact details, but there has been no word to say there are any issues.

“I’d put down only a small deposit, so there is some relief that I won’t be too badly out of pocket.

“Bikes can be an expensive hobby and I just hope other people haven’t been hit harder.”

A former member of staff who declined to be named said there was a strong possibility that customer orders would not be fulfilled.

He said: “There’s customers who have paid for bikes they may not get in time for Christmas or at all.

“Some customers have been waiting for more than six months on bikes that have been paid for.

“Now, the likelihood is customers won’t get their bikes, nor their money back.

“There were bikes still on display in the shop that belonged to customers.”

The owner of the store, Alex Cooper, could not be reached for comment despite repeated attempts by the Evening Telegraph.

A DUNDEE bicycle shop has closed suddenly — sparking fears that customers may lose out on their Christmas orders.

Amelia Hopkins, whose mum Karen Reilly had paid a deposit towards a bike, with the “closed until further notice” sign at World of Cycles.

World of Cycles and right, Karen with her daughter Amelia.