The Spokesman Bicycle Shop

The Spokesman is yet another jewel in the glittering crown of St Werburgh’s. Another local business which knows exactly what people in the area need as so many of them rely on two wheels to nip about. I popped in here totally clueless after damaging my bike in a fall and, rather than treat me like the clueless idiot I am and fleece me, the owner, Baltazar Padilla– aka Balti — did a great job. For £17 he gave my bike a mini-​service, fixed the brake blocks, made some adjustments and sorted my mud-​guard. And he was friendly, bright and breezy all the while. It seems he knows most people in the area as passers-​by are always popping in to say hi. And he sells a range of essential cycling accessories for very reasonable prices as well as new or second-​hand bikes.

Any business can be environmentally and socially aware regardless what it is they do — it’s all in the mindset. The Spokesman Bicycle Shop is a fine example.
A cycling fanatic from Chile, the owner has been here only a short space of time and has already amassed a firm group of workers and customers. He explains to me (in a beautifully fluid mix of Spanish and English) that his ethos is to put back into the community what he takes out. He takes trade in with his cheap prices and honest approach, but puts back with cycling fares and mini festivals in the local park. A good service for your bike will cost about thirty pounds plus parts. You can pick up new or second hand models as well as all the reflectors, lights and accessories you could ever need.
It’s an independent store so they can’t afford to be as cheap as some places on everything but they’re a lot more personal, friendly and human. It’s what you want really.