Features

COVID-19: How is Coronavirus affecting UK BMX Shops?

Coronavirus COVID-19 is having an effect on all industries, including our beloved BMX industry. With events being cancelled and 2020 product shipments subject to ongoing delays, the impacts are being felt across our little world.

We had to speak to the retailers. BMX shops are the backbone of the UK BMX scene – we support them and they support us. Here’s a snapshot of the current situation according to some of England’s best BMX shops.

UPDATE 23rd March: most BMX shops are now closed. You can still order online – check with your local / chosen shop

Do these guys a favour – if you’re in need of something for your bike, a new T-shirt or some BMX entertainment to get through all this, you know what to do. All these shops are running online mail order businesses.

ENTITY BMX SHOP, BOURNEMOUTH

“All seems quite relaxed down here. Customers are still using the skatepark and coming in the shop, they might not be spending much money but that’s understandable, we are all in the same boat.

Entity is a small business and we support the BMX community! I’m still sending out parcels and doing repairs for customers whilst keeping the shop as clean and hygienic as possible.

We are encouraging customers to take necessary precautions when arranging sessions.

Respect other people’s concerns, and don’t judge others who choose to self isolate during this period. Wear pads and protection when riding! The NHS have enough on their plate and any efforts to prevent injuries should be taken.

Avoid hosting group sessions, yes go riding with ya mates, just give em space (standard skatepark etiquette)

Wash your hands after a session, and if your pads stink, time to give them a scrub too!

“Wear pads and protection if you go riding! The NHS have enough on their plate and any efforts to prevent injuries should be taken”

No hi-5s (saddens me this one) stick to elbows if you’re super stoked.

If you feel unwell, just stay at home.

Keep on having fun, keep on riding/filming and keep tagging the shop in your posts, helps us keep the stoke ALIVE!

The DVD/VHS player is always on in store if you need to take a break from all this!

Any info/help you need, get in touch.”

–Matt Nicklen, @entitybmxshop

ALANS BMX, WIGAN

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by AlansBMX.com (@alansbmx) on Mar 15, 2020 at 6:20am PDT

“Not sure what to do for the best but thought it was better to take precautions sooner rather than later in an attempt to flatten the curve and show an example to others. We did consult staff and they did all have holidays due so we made the decision Sunday afternoon. Our location does meet we get a lot of passers by in the shop on the way to their train and my wife is the primary carer for her 87 year old mother which is why we suspended cash payments last week due the risk associated with that.

This isn’t political – I think everyone knows my politics – it would be the same with any government that I feel isn’t doing their best to protect their citizens. If you look at the France and Italy models – then South Korea – you can see which one we would be better following. My son is a teacher in Seoul and they seem to over the worst of it only by enacting strict measures. People here carrying on as normal who are young and fit so unlikely to die from it are still going to put those less healthy at risk.

It is especially a worry for a fragile industry like BMX which most of us are living on a week to week basis. Luckily we have a strong mail-order.

So far feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. As you may now I am a big advocate of co-operation within the industry and in wider society. This has also give me some time to set up and contribute to local groups where I live to help anyone who needs it.

Our online shop is still open.”

–Alan Woods, @AlansBMX

WALLER BMX, SHEFFIELD

“Quick update. We’ve found the skatepark has been quieter than usual but this is mainly due to parents not bringing their kids to the park and trying to avoid gatherings.

The 18-25 year olds don’t seem too fussed and are riding just like normal as we have them asking about bike night which we host on Tuesday nights.

We’ve introduced that anyone entering the skatepark must wash their hands before touching anything.”

–Jack Waller, @wallerbmx

CRUCIAL BMX, BRISTOL

“We’re open as normal at Crucial BMX however we have been severely affected by the panic and uncertainty around Corona Virus. Retail sales, our phone inquiries and online have slowed at a time when we normally see an increase due to the lighter evenings rolling in.

Until instructed, or we feel the safety of our staff and customers might be at jeopardy we will continue to serve the best BMX parts in-store and online. Should we going into a lockdown situation, the first procedure would be to close our retail store to the public while we continuing to process online orders (subject to delivery services being available).

“Phone inquiries and online orders have slowed at a time when we normally see an increase due to the lighter evenings rolling in”

These are difficult times for all independent BMX shops, from Brexit to Corona, this is just another setback for the industry to deal with. When people panic they are not thinking about BMX – stockpiling toilet roll and hand-wash seems to be the priority.

BMX events are being cancelled left, right and centre so it seems likely that the 2020 BMX Racing National Series and regional racing will be postponed, local skateparks are on the brink of closure for public safety while the thoughts of an empty city resembling something out of S.K.A.T.E seems appealing to some…

That is everything I know dude! We got team riders out in Barca that have been told its a €3000 fine if caught out with no good reason!”

–Scott Summerhayes, @crucialbmxshop

DEAD SAILOR BMX, TRURO

“It’s a real weird one. In store we’ve been dead until yesterday when we had a rush on bikes!? Even had a doctor in buying one for his son in case the schools shut.

Online has ramped up over the weekend which is a massive relief at the moment. People seem to be getting the things they need now in case we all get locked down. DVD sales have definitely increased haha!