SPOKES WORKSHOP UPDATE
First off, we hope that all of you and all of your families are all keeping safe and well; and for the most part, relatively sane.
Just to let you know that we are exploring the possibility of re-opening the business for essential repairs as soon as we can. This will more than likely be in a couple of weeks and will probably look something like this.
Any bookings will be by appointment only. Just turning up at the workshop will not be a good idea for now. (We will update you when we are ready to take bookings).
The barrier to the yard has until now been down to deter public access. We have spoken to the Beehive Works management and they are happy for us to admit customers into the yard if we adopt an appointment only policy.
Many of the bike shops and mobile mechanics that remain open are doing so following guidance from The Association of Cycle Traders (ACT). When we do re-open we will also be following this guidance.
Customers leaving their bike outside the workshop.
Handling bikes wearing disposable gloves (Currently searching for adequate stock).
The entire bike will be disinfected-particularly contact points such as handlebars, brakes etc. before bringing it into the workshop and again on completion of the work before handing the bike back to the customer.
We will post an update when we know more.
Just in case you wondered why we closed in the first place ……
Back in March, some days before Boris belatedly realised that things might be getting slightly out of hand and brought in the Lockdown, we made the decision ourselves to temporarily close the workshop until the situation became clearer and safer.
At the time social distancing as a precautionary measure was relatively easy for us to grasp and implement, but the same could not be said for everyone. (Even today, despite the desperately sad statistics, some people just don’t get it). The Beehive Works management closed the barrier to the yard to discourage public access, making it difficult for customers to come to the workshop. Our biggest concern was the day to day handling of so many customer bikes (Please don’t be offended, but we have regularly handled and dealt with bikes in the aftermath of an ‘energetic ride’. No ladies, you don’t glow, you sweat and spit just like the gentlemen) and the possibility of cross contamination. Another concern is that we are more than partners at work and we run the risk of both having to self-isolate if either of us were to display symptoms of the virus. It was clear that we couldn’t carry on business as usual.
It then followed days later that The Government view was that bike shops, including bike servicing are considered an exception to the Lockdown measures and can remain open for business if they choose to.
We considered our options and our personal risk and decided to remain closed for a couple of weeks “It will all be over by Christmas Syndrome” and return to work assuming that the situation would have improved. Surely even this Government would have measures in place like mass testing and possibly anti-body tests so that when we do re-open, we could do so with a certain amount of confidence.
However this is not the case, hence we are trying to develop our own exit strategy, to enable us to help you with urgent repairs, whilst remaining as safe as possible.
We will keep you posted as to when we will be taking bookings.