When Paul Morphet sold out the name lost it's soul, going appointment only in Summerbridge was 2 fingers to those that supported th store and brand, I fail to see what their usp so closing it's doors is.no great loss as there are plenty of other local LBS that do it a great deal better.
This is so sad. I bought my first Santa Cruz from the headingley shop and have been using the Bristol one since getting back into biking 12 months ago. The staff in Bristol have been so helpful and I hope they all get sorted with new positions very soon.
An iconic shop that is no more
Summerbridge went downhill for me when little Rob left. He was the only assistant that greated me with friendly chat and he knew my name.
As said before most of the other staff didn't want to entertain you and were hard work even when I was spending money!
Rob told me they were part of jungle who had the next unit to them.
So the Santa Cruz bikes just came from next door and possibly those in the shop were owned by jungle and must have kept stock finances lower.
They then stopped dealing with Sweet protection and it all went downhill from there.
Yeah, Stiff moving out of Headingley was a loss personally to me because it was a great shop. First time I visited must have been getting on for 30 years ago. We drove over from Macclesfield during my A levels for a special trip with all my bike mad mates and oh my gosh the gear they had was unbelievable.This was mid 90s at the height of annodized fragile bling.
Then after that I happened to move to Headingley as a student and from thereon (until they moved) I would use the shop regularly and also go in and drool at stuff.
When they moved though...they just became another online shop.
I've browsed the website a few times but never bought anything. It's a shame, but not surprising, and I think I've done my grieving already.
Whether my inner tube purchases would have supported them staying in Headingley in an alternative past is unclear
Such a shame. Bought a couple of bikes from Headingley in years gone by and more recently used Bristol for servicing and parts etc. Found both shops really helpful.
Couple of pics of my Bullit & Heckler from yesteryear;
