RETAILERS RETAILERS
Can you give us a little background on Flying Dutchman and yourself? Flying Dutchman was started around 10 years ago by Harry Walton in Camden, following his belief that there was a need for bikes that can do more than the weekend spin with friends - just like how the Dutch live by bike the way the majority of London live by car. Both Harry and I have never learned to drive and we have always lived by bike, so when I came into the business three years ago it was amazing to meet someone so like-minded when it came down to alternative transport. We needed more space, so a year ago we expanded to West London in Notting Hill with Flying Dutchman West.
What type of consumers do you target? The majority of our customers are families and people sick of being stuck in traffic. We stock and specialise in cargo and family bikes from midtails and longtails that can carry one to three children, all the way up to large box bikes and trikes that can carry two to six children, and commercial cargo bikes to replace the vans clogging up our streets.
What makes your business unique? We are, and have always been, advocates for bikes that can do more. There are only four members of staff across the two stores, but you will find it hard to meet more enthusiastic and knowledgeable people about bicycles that can replace the day-to-day trips to the supermarket and picking the children up from school.
How has business and the industry been for you in 2023? Definitely a slow start. Obviously the rises in bills hasn’t helped people find spare money for a weekend bike for fun, but when it comes down to what we mainly do its been okay. I think the main issue was the late start of spring and summer, but once the clouds cleared a bit things have been really good. It’s our first year with the West London store so there’s also an element of people finding out that we exist.
What are your plans for 2023 and beyond? Currently, we are working hard on our website to show off all of the amazing stuff that we do - that needs more work but is getting better every week. We are always on
15 26 | October 2023 September 2022
www.bikebiz.com
www.bikebiz.com
Store manager of Flying Dutchman West, Rich Armstrong
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