Raleigh cycles: Fears for jobs as review confirmed

The company moved to its current headquarters in Eastwood in the early 2000s

Fears of job losses have been raised at cycling brand Raleigh after its parent company confirmed a review.

While providing few details, an Accell spokesman said it had launched a consultation to ensure it "remains competitive" in a "challenging market".

He confirmed the Raleigh parts and accessories business would close, and its warehousing would be outsourced.

But Accell insisted the brand had a future and would stay in its birthplace of Nottinghamshire.

The spokesman said nothing had been decided as far as jobs were concerned as it was in the process of talking to staff.

He also declined to comment on the future of its exhibition hub in Nottingham city centre, which opened at the end of 2022.

Accell UK, which also includes other brands, employs about 120 people, the firm said.

The Raleigh Chopper is one of the most famous bicycle designs of all-time

In a statement, the company said: "To ensure Accell UK remains competitive in what is a challenging market, we have recently concluded a detailed review of the business, aimed at helping to position Accell for sustainable growth in the UK and internationally.

"Following the outcome of this review, we have developed a proposal to better integrate Accell UK into the wider Accell Group business so it can benefit from existing resources, functions and expertise, while retaining the Accell UK HQ in the Nottingham area.

"Formal consultations on the proposal will begin immediately and we welcome input from all parties involved as we work closely with them during this process."

The story of Raleigh

A podcast on the story of Raleigh is available on BBC Sounds.

Founded by Sir Frank Bowden on Raleigh Street, Nottingham, in 1887, it was at one time the biggest bicycle maker in the world and shortly after World War Two, employed some 8,000 people in the city.

Raleigh ceased production in the city in 2002.

The headquarters moved to Eastwood from Triumph Road in Lenton in the early 2000s, but Accell had already sought planning permission for 125 homes on the site.

A bike centre devoted to the brand opened in Nottingham city centre in December 2022