A LONG-established business in Bradford came to the fore and won the Retailer of the Year award at the 2022 Telegraph & Argus Retail, Leisure and Hospitality awards on Sunday night.

Pennine Cycles, a bicycle shop based on Thornton Road, won Retailer of the Year, sponsored by Mitie.

Paul Corcoran, managing director of Pennine Cycles, said: “It means everything to us to win this award.

“We’ve had great support from customers over the years.

“We’ve been in business for 76 years but with out our loyal customers we’d be nothing.

“We provide personal service and we’re passionate about what we do.”

In the criteria for Retailer of the Year, this award recognises any retailer, large or small, independent or national, that is making a big noise in the district.

The judges were looking for evidence of what sets the business apart from the competition, either in terms of achievements, best practice, customer feedback and staff involvement.

Pennine Cycles is a long-established and recognised independent bicycle retailer in Bradford, starting up in 1946.

After the war in 1946, Johnny Mapplebeck and Geoff Whitaker came home to Bradford and wanted more than to return to their old jobs, they had fallen in love with cycling in Italy and decided to open their own bike shop.

That is when Whitaker and Mapplebeck (cycles) Limited was born.

At this time, they began to build their own steel frames and during the 1950s they created the ‘Pennine’ brand of frames.

Soon after they began trading under Pennine Cycles.

Over the years, the cycling industry changed and Pennine Cycles evolved.

Johnny owned and worked in the bike shop until he was 80 when he finally decided to retire.

It was at this time Paul, who was manager of the business, and his wife Sandra bought Pennine Cycles.

Born and raised in Leeds, Paul sold his car when he was 20 years old and bought a Pennine bike to commute to work and get fit, it was here his love of cycling began.

The bike shop is an integral part of the local community and as well as local customers they have a UK and global customer base.

Whether customers are looking to buy a child’s first balance bike, a commuter bicycle, a mountain bike or a road bike, Paul and Sandra Corcoran, the owners, are proud to offer a personal service to all.

Cycling accessories are also available in the shop, alongside bicycle servicing and repairs.