UK Transport Awards 2021

35 | Transport Awards 2021 As the need to change the way we live becomes ever more apparent, the benefits of bicycles become increasingly obvious. The team behind Southsea Cycles have built a reputation for excellence without parallel. We take a closer look at how this impressive firm have been able to have such an astonishing impact on the local community, and how this impact has had an effect that reaches beyond the town’s borders. The people of Southsea have always had a passion for cycling. The quirky and vibrant Portsmouth town boasts some of the most breath-taking sights in the region, bringing together coastlines and cycle trails to create somewhere truly unique. It’s no surprise that people want to take in these sights, and one of the easiest ways to do so is by bike. Southsea Cycles has built its name by meeting the needs of its varied customers. Whether it’s a grizzled local or a fresh-faced tourist, the team are on hand to discover what their needs and meet these needs to the best of their ability. There is, the team, believe, a bicycle for everyone, and by understanding the customer, they hope to find the perfect match. Putting the customer first is at the heart of the shop’s philosophy and has allowed them to thrive in this gorgeous part of the country. Not only do the team provide an exceptional range of bicycles, but they are able to offer the much-needed care and attention that is often necessary to ensure they perform at their peak. The team stock all the parts you could imagine in order to help mend a broken bicycle, with an efficient workshop on hand run by Bosch and Cytech Certified mechanics. Having this talent on hand ensures that the quality of the fix is indistinguishable from when the bike was new. One of the ways in which the shop has been able to thrive has been through partnering with some of the cycling organisations in the local area. This gives the team an insight into the needs of those who are passionate about the field, and opens their eyes to new opportunities that they might otherwise have missed. This deep relationship with those in the local area means that the team is intimately involved in events such as the Portsmouth Duathlon Series and Portsmouth’s Fitness Festival. Best Local Bicycle Retailer 2021 - Hampshire Being part of a local community has built a team that is proud to be friendly and approachable in equal measure. When a customer walks through the doors of Southsea Cycles, they are welcomed with open arms not only into the shop, but into the world of cycling. The team are all passionate about what they do – indeed, this is a key part of why they do it – and have devoted a great deal of themselves to the art of cycling and bicycles in this part of the world. Such a commitment means that there is nowhere finer to turn when looking for people who know all about the region’s history and its cycling heritage, or who know where the best spots are for adventures of all sorts for all ages. Southsea Cycles offers a service that is second to none, first opening the door to a new bicycle and then providing ways of ensuring constant satisfaction with it. We celebrate their success and look forward to seeing what this team does next. Company: Southsea Cycles Ltd Name: Kevin Watkins Email: info@southsea-cycles.co.uk Mar21158