Yesterday one of our two local independent bike shops closed.
I'll be honest, I have mixed feelings. I prefered the service and stock at Nevis Cycles where we bought both our mountain bikes.
And now they will face some stiff competition.
Alpine Bikes has bought the Off Beat Bikes shop. They're a much bigger business, ninteen years old with seven stores around Scotland. So the team at Nevis Cycles face a challenge.
At least it's not another empty shop on the Fort William high street. And if it drives up the standard of kit and service on offer in the Outdoor Capital of the UK, then that has to be a good thing.