Bristol bike shop to close after 79 years of trading

First road bike that was actually mine came from here too, little cracker and a great place. Shame, but all the best to them.

My first bike came from Harveys many years ago.  I moved back into the area not so long ago and have been in numerous times for bits and advice.  Proper bike shop, will be missed.  Was a shock to see the notice in the window.

I see that google have updated their streetview.  The previous one caught me pedalling down Henleaze Road just outside Harveys.

To be fair, the owner hasn't expressed the reason for closure as being anything other than 'wanting to spend more time with his parents'. I don't know Bristol, but I've had a quick run along the street on Google maps (it's Sunday evening, what are you guys doing?) and - unusally for England today - there don't appear to be empty units, hardly any charity shops, I couldn't see a betting shop (I may have missed it), and there is a post office. Seems like quite a well-to-do area. Busy road. The High Street isn't dead yet, and nor are bike shops - when they're well-located, well-staffed, well-informed and appropriately stocked. 

@KiwiMike - the internet can't fix your bike, indeed. You've got the right business model there for today's independent cycle store. I'd use you.

edit - there's a William Hill.

If you're goting to use Streetview for an image, it might be better if you had an image of the shop.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.4873733,-2.6092327,3a,75y,67.28h,91.04t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1snt1hSjRx7O99nn2UN__5Rw!2e0!3e11!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

Harveys is a long established, well respected bike shop, renowned for its personal service and attention to detail, well known as a proper bike shop, not some johnny come lately fashionable place which looks great, but knows nothing about bikes.

Sorry to hear you're going Graham, and I know many people in Cycle Bristol CTC that will be sorry to see you go.

I wonder if this is a reflection of today's society?  Where presentation is everything, and actual service matters nothing.

My LBS (which isn't very good, by the way) has become more of a cafe with a small bike workshop attached. When I asked them for a Campagnolo gear cable, I got a blank stare, but they do a decent coffee and carrot cake. I wouldn't mourn its loss, but it's a good example of a business evolving to survive.

What a shame! I have fond memories of going in there as a child as well as more recently. It just seemed like it would always be there. Nice to read that it doesn't seem to be closing for finiancial reasons.

On a broader note, it is a sad loss when a LBS closes but, on the other hand, most of us can't afford to treat them like charity cases. I noticed some tyres in my LBS the other day which were about 20 Euros more each than what I had just paid online! Why would I pay 40 Euros more for no extra benefit?!

If the LBS can't compete with online retailers or the big chains on price alone then they have to offer something else. For example I would be keen to buy a bike from a local shop if I felt they would be helpful should I have problems with it.

It's awful to say, but I've lived in Bristol over twenty years and didn't know this place existed.

I don't go up to Henleaze, so I guess it was a very local LBS.

It's always sad when these long-established places close down, because you can't imagine what will replace them; as little indie or family owned businesses close, all that gets left are the chains.