Our Derby Hub is closing

Some difficult news to share

It is with great sadness that we announce the closure of our much-loved Derby Hub – the community bike workshop that has transformed the lives of thousands of people.

The post-COVID years have been highly challenging for the cycle industry, with many businesses forced to close. This is a tough time for charities too. Life Cycle spans both worlds.

Ed Norton, Life Cycle’s CEO said:

"The dedication and passion of our incredible staff, freelancers, and volunteers – as well as loyal partners, customers, and donors – has brought us this far. But our Derby Hub has faced financial pressures for some time. The newly announced policy to raise employer National Insurance contributions has significantly added to these pressures.

"Combined with complications around our workshop lease renewal and the high costs of renting alternative premises, this has left the Derby Hub in an untenable position. We must cease operations in December 2024.

"Making this decision was incredibly tough. The closure will leave a gap in Derby’s cycling community, especially for people who face additional barriers to cycling. We’ll be very sad to say goodbye to the amazing people and organisations who have been with us on our mission. It’s been an incredible 11 years.”

Celebrating 11 years of life-changing work

The Derby Hub was founded in 2013 to recycle and refurbish broken and unwanted bikes, returning them to the community and helping more people access the benefits of cycling. The bike workshop served the whole community but used grant funding to support people experiencing additional barriers, such as refugees, prisoners, and people on low incomes.

In the last five years alone, the Hub has helped over 3,000 people including Yosief, a local refugee:

"When I first arrived in Derby, they welcomed me with a smile and a helping hand, and they offered me a road bike, which changed my life. Cycling has enhanced my physical health, mental well-being and helped me overcome culture shock by allowing me to make friends and integrate into the community.”

In 2021, the Hub became an accredited City & Guilds training centre for bicycle mechanics – a testament to the team’s skills and commitment to excellence. The Derby Hub was known as a warm and welcoming place, with a team who would go over and above to help local people.  

"Excellent in every way: The staff are great, the stock is great, what they do as a charity is great, the world needs more like this. I won’t shop for a bike, or a service anywhere else. Excellent!” – Drone Swarm (via Google Reviews).

Thank you to all who supported us

We would like to extend special thanks to our staff, volunteers, freelancers - and Foundation Derbyshire, Cycling UK, the Big Lottery Community Fund, British Red Cross, Derbyshire Refugee Solidarity, Derby City Council, Sustrans East Midlands, Cycle Derby, and the University of Derby.

They have all provided funding, partnership, and support - making a significant contribution to the Derby community by reducing traffic pollution and helping local people to access the joys and freedoms of cycling.

Our next steps

While this chapter closes, Life Cycle will continue its mission to transform lives through cycling in the Southwest and at HMP Fosse Way.

Help us transform lives through cycling

If you’d like to support us to continue changing lives in the Southwest, we'd be so grateful if you would donate money or donate a bike. Thank you for helping us continue our mission - we couldn't do it without you!