Local social enterprise Cycle Station have officially opened their new workshop and training space in Newmilns, with South Scotland MSP Brian Whittle cutting the ceremonial bike chain. The town is already home to Cycle Station’s retail space, next to Newmilns motors, but now the group have secured extra space to bring their operation together.
Cycle Station began life rescuing unwanted bikes, refurbishing them and selling them to the public at a fraction of the cost of a new bike. Since then they’ve grown and, working with various charities and youth groups, now offer employability and skills training by teaching people how to repair and maintain bikes.
The group also operate from Whitelee windfarm from April to November offering a bike hire scheme that includes electric bikes for anyone who might find the terrain hard going. After taking the winter off, the bike hire service will reopen in new purpose built premises at Whitelee on the 13th of April.
The new space was opened by Jeff Frew from Cycling UK and South Scotland MSP Brian Whittle, who has been an avid supporter of the social enterprise since he first visited them in their original premises at Kilmarnock Station.
Comment from Cycle Station:
“We were delighted to welcome Brian into our new training workshop and retail space, Brian has been a great supporter of Cycle Station since its establishment in 2017. We couldn’t have imagined that since then we would have reached this point in what has become a programme of rapid expansion. Cycle Station is dedicated to working with communities, so it made perfect sense for us to be located in the heart of the Irvine Valley surrounded by wonderful rolling country side making great cycle routes and a stone’s throw from our second home at Whitelee Windfarm. Thanks go to Brian and Jeff, and to all our customers for their continued support in helping us achieve what has been a fantastic journey so far.
Comment from Brian Whittle MSP:
“I was delighted to open Cycle Station’s new premises and congratulate them on the success they’ve had in the last few years. Riding a bike isn’t just a good way to get some exercise, it encourages people to explore more of the fantastic Ayrshire countryside. By offering good quality bikes at an affordable price, Cycle Station is giving more people the chance to get out there and enjoy cycling.
I hope this new space will allow them to build on their success and offer more people the opportunity to learn skills that build their confidence and help them to get the most out of riding a bike.”
