Mud Dock Cycleworks, the Bristol-based institution that was one of the first to bring the concept of the bike shop/café combo to the UK, is set to close its doors after more than three decades in business, promising big discounts on remaining stock during its final few days of trading. Mud Dock Café is unaffected, and will continue as normal after the bike shop shuts at the end of August.
Jerry and Beverly Arron opened Mud Dock in 1994, and claim to have sold more than 15,000 bikes over the past 32 years. With countless tales of trouble and strife in the bike industry recently – affecting brands, retailers and the media alike – it’s perhaps refreshing to hear that Mud Dock is shutting up shop simply because the founders wish to retire and are “…ready to swap selling bikes for spending more time riding them”, according to a press release sent to road.cc this afternoon.
“We’re fortunate to have worked with some of the best people and brands in the industry”, says Jerry Arron.
“Back in the ’90s, this was just a dream of two 20-something bike-loving design escapees from London! Our then-unique take on how bicycle retail could change, coupled with the new sport of mountain biking and its speed of innovation, produced the most exciting times.
“For more than 30 years we’ve been helping Bristolians enjoy life on two wheels – something that’s been good for them, good for Bristol and good for the planet. I’m happy with that legacy.”
Formerly graphic designers, the Arrons set about refurbishing the building that would become Mud Dock in 1993 “with plenty of energy and enthusiasm, but meagre funds and little experience of retail or catering”. Mud Dock’s mountain bike team won the national championships in 1997, and in 1998 the café was named Café of the Year by Roy Ackerman.
As well as selling and servicing bikes, Mud Dock also played host to plenty of social and bike industry events over the years. Members of the road.cc team recall bicycle-themed birthday bashes for former colleagues, and have attended a number of product launches and industry meet-ups at the venue.
Before closing its doors for good at the end of August, Mud Dock will be selling off its remaining stock, promising “some extraordinary deals”.
“I guess we’ll be selling everything off at prices less than we were selling them for thirty years ago!”, says Jerry Arron.
Mud Dock adds that all types of bike from top-end carbon racers to e-bikes will be on sale and that “everything must go – and go quickly.”
Mud Dock Café – which is on the second floor of the building above Mud Dock Cycleworks – has recently extended its opening hours, and will continue trading when the bike shop shuts.
Feel free to share your Mud Dock memories in the comments
1 thought on “Iconic Bristol bike shop Mud Dock to close after 32 years, with café set to continue trading”
Back in the mists of time, I was meeting up with Mrs HawkinsPeter for some drinks etc. near to the Mud Dock. I tried locking up my unicycle, but just had a small motorbike disk brake lock, so I think I put that round the wheel and semi-hid it round the back somewhere. When I returned later on, it had disappeared, so I assumed it had been nicked.
Fast forward a few months and we went into the Mud Dock to have a look at bikes, and I spotted my unicycle up on the wall. Apparently, someone had spotted it and taken it for safe-keeping. I spoke to one of the staff and managed to convince them that it was mine (I think I mentioned the unusual bottle holder that I’d fixed to it) and rode it off into the sunset. Or it may have been drizzle, it was a long time ago.