A NEW community bike hub has opened in Winchester.

Mayor of Winchester Cllr David McLean and the bishop of Basingstoke David Williams cut the ribbon and blessed the opening of Bespoke Biking in The Brooks Shopping Centre.

The not-for-profit social enterprise is located in the lower parking level and is run by Heather Evans, whose passion for cycling has turned an idea which began two years ago as a single room in Winchester’s Tourist Information Centre into a fully-fledged cycle centre complete with its own workshop and sales area.

The hub will allow customers to have all their cycle needs catered for, whether they want a rental for a day, a quick tune-up, or a new set of wheels, right in the heart of the city.

Heather thanked all of the people and organisations that have supported the shop over the past two years.

These included Winchester City Council, who rewarded the shop with a £4,000 grant to help with the cost of tools and other specialist equipment, and The Brooks for giving them their unit.

She said: “It’s a huge relief , because it’s finally all rolling out and we made it. I’m thrilled. Having a shop presence is going to make all the difference.”

Cllr McLean said: “In my short time as mayor I have seen this grow from a little room in the Tourist Information Centre to this fine emporium. Winchester is open for business and this just proves it.”

Former mayor Cllr Jane Rutter, who was having her bike serviced at the centre, said: “ I think it’s fabulous. As a cyclist myself, anything we can do to encourage cyclists and cycling itself is great.

“ I would like to see an improvements to and around the cycle paths to and around the city.”