AN HISTORIC name in cycle manufacturing has entered voluntary liquidation after more than 80 years of trading.

Ellis Briggs Cycles Ltd, of Shipley, is the oldest custom-built frame builder in the UK, but has struggled to compete with its rivals in recent years.

Its bespoke frames have competed, and had success, in the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, World Championships, the Tour de France and British National Championships.

Founded in 1936 by Mr Leonard Ellis and Mr Thomas Briggs, the pair had a vision for creating high-quality lightweight racing frames.  

From day one they put the investment into making the Ellis Briggs workshop one of the most advanced of its time and the business exported hand-made and much sought-after products around the world, particularly into the USA and Canada.

It traded for 80 years before entering liquidation in 2016 when it was bought by the current director.  

On April 6  the directors of Ellis Briggs Cycles Ltd passed an extraordinary resolution to wind-up the business and enter into a Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation (CVL).

Yorkshire insolvency practitioners and business recovery specialists, Walsh Taylor, have been appointed to handle the liquidation of the assets of the company after it was unable to meet its debts.

Philip Davies, MP for Shipley, said: “I’m extremely sad to hear this.

“It’s an integral part of Shipley community for so long and it’s very worrying and bad for people who work there.

“It’s getting increasingly difficult for bricks and mortar retailers to compete with online retailers.

“This is an issue I raised in the House of Commons last week when I asked what can be done to level the playing field between retailers and those operators who still pay business rates.

“It’s very sad and I hope everyone affected finds alternative employment as soon as possible.

“I hope this highlights the points I have been making to help shops compete.”