“It’s s*** you can’t trust anybody to do the right thing”: Independent cycle shop forced to massively discount custom bike frame after being “completely stuffed” by customer who failed to pay for it + more on the live blog

If only Louise Haigh had repeatedly kicked her partner… Or been arrested for numerous sexual assault charges Or been found to have frequently bullied her staff Then maybe she’d still be in her position.

— Marina Purkiss (@marina-purkiss.bsky.social) 29 November 2024 at 11:45

If like Grant Shapps, you also didn’t receive a BBC news alert about Louise Haigh resigning from the post of Transport Secretary for some reason… well, you know it now.

Haigh, the Sheffield MP who after becoming a cycling convert earlier this year hinted at long-term funding for cycling and walking this month, has announced her resignation this morning after a spent conviction over a misplaced phone was brought up following reports from Sky and The Times yesterday.

She wrote in her letter to the Prime Minister: “As you know, in 2013 I was mugged in London. As a 24-year-old woman, the experience was terrifying. In the immediate aftermath, I reported the incident to the police. I gave the police a list of my possessions that I believed had been stolen, including my work phone. Some time later, I discovered that the handset in question was still in my house. I should have immediately informed my employer and not doing so straight away was a mistake.”

When questioned by the police in the aftermath, she said that she was advised by her solicitor not to comment during that interview and that she regrets following that advice. She later pleaded guilty to making a false report to police at a magistrates’ court, six months before becoming an MP in the 2015 election, and received a discharge - the “lowest possible outcome”.

> Is Labour’s shadow transport secretary cycling’s latest convert? Louise Haigh says e-bikes “make all the difference”, months after backlash over controversial cycling comments

Haigh, the youngest-ever woman to be appointed to the Cabinet, mentioned that the Bill  bringing the railways back into public ownership received Royal Assent and became an Act of Parliament yesterday, calling it a “once in a generation reform to our railways which will change our country for the better”.

Cycling UK commented on the news, saying: “Thank you Louise Haigh, for your support for all things active travel. Your commitment has been deeply appreciated. Wishing you all the best in the next chapter after stepping down - your impact will not be forgotten.”

Some reactions to this development from social media…

Owen Jones (journalist): “Louise Haigh was one of the only Labour ministers doing something worthwhile.

“Who knows why her spent conviction suddenly re emerged, but needless to say Starmer allies will be delighted she’s gone.

“Haigh already faced being purged for rightly slamming P&O Ferries.”

Karl Hansen (journalist): “Louise Haigh has accomplished more in her brief than any other government minister, bringing rail and bus services back into public ownership. It's a shame that she is resigning over something so trivial.”

Sangita Myska (journalist): “The way Louise Haigh MP is being treated by parts of the established media and political classes over a minor spent conviction is like watching a modern day witch trial.”

Peter Smith: “Good grief. Louise Haigh has resigned. Admirable in many ways but unnecessary and a waste of a huge political talent.”

David Osland (columnist): “Johnson and Sunak stayed in office as prime minister and chancellor despite convictions over Partygate. That puts Louise Haigh’s ouster from the cabinet for a minor offence before she became an MP in perspective… I wish I were more confident that Louise Haigh's sudden departure from the cabinet had nothing to do with her entirely legitimate criticism of P&O Ferries.”

> Transport Secretary wants end to "perverse half cycle lanes" and hints at long-term funding for cycling and walking

The above statement is in reference to Haigh’s recent criticism directed at P&O Ferries, calling them “rogue operator” last month and urging people to boycott the shipping operation. However, when its parent company DP World threatened to pull out from a major government investment summit in response, Starmer pulled support for her, saying Haigh’s comments were “not the view of the government”.

People have also noted Haigh’s former role as Vice Chair of Labour Friends of Palestine and her criticism of the Israeli regime in the past.

An uncannily on-point story for this Black Friday — the only thing is that this discount isn’t born out of a place of corporate greed or any capitalist shenanigans.

Ricky Feather, the craftsman behind Feather Cycles from York known for making custom frames and winner of Bespoked Bristol, has shared the story of how he was duped for the third time this year by a customer who failed to pay for the frame, after all the fabrication was completed.

Despite having a pre-fab payment system in place, Ricky thought he would start building the frame as it was for someone he knew, giving them the benefit of the doubt. His goodwill didn’t pay much dividends unfortunately, as it marked the third time he was left “completely stuffed” this year.

> Meet the Maker: Ricky Feather video

“This frame is a perfect example of why around two years ago I was forced into a corner to not start any work without full payment for fabrication,” he wrote on social media. “It was a decision I didn’t take lightly as I really feared it would affect business.”

“The decision came after I was left broke, three Christmases in a row due to customers not paying invoices on completion of their frame.

“Luckily, my customers have been really understanding of the situation. Without cash flow, it’s impossible for small businesses to exist.

“Over the last 15 years, I have overcome a lot of hurdles and have had to make changes accordingly. It’s been tough, but I’m super stubborn and don’t let anything stop me. After all, I have no degree or qualifications to fall back on, no money sat in a pot, this is it for me. For nearly three-quarters of my working life, all I have known is Feather Cycles. I work way too much. It affects me both physically and mentally, it affects family life, even on holidays I don’t relax. It’s the first thing I think about in a morning and the last thing I think about at night.

“For the third time this year, I have been completely stuffed by a customer. I started this frame without the fab fee being paid, I gave it the benefit of the doubt as it was for someone I know and thought he was good for it.

“I want to use this as an opportunity to point out how important it is for independent businesses to be paid when invoices are raised. I don’t care if it’s me or the local seamstress, I’m speaking for all of us. I’m talking for everyone who builds bikes, it’s an incredibly hard business to sustain no matter how talented or resilient you are.”

> No discounts! Bike shops boycott Black Friday as majority of independent bike shops 'believe event negatively impacts their businesses'

Feather Cycles is now selling the frame at a massive discount, if anyone would like to purchase it and have the remaining work on it be finished by early spring. Ricky wrote: “It would normally retail for £4260 plus paint. £2500 plus paint and it’s yours.

He added: “It has tons of extras, including integrated headset, carbon ISP, T47,integrated flat mount bosses, hooded dropouts and custom stealth Di2 routed rear dropout. I can make an ISP topper tailored to your position on the bike, 0-25mm setback. It is designed around the new Columbus integrated cockpit (not included in the price).”

Several cyclists commented on Ricky’s post, offering him consolation. One person wrote: “There are some real tossers around but thought the cycling fraternity were ok. How wrong I am. Hope it works out on this frame for you. It’s s*** that you have to go through this. Your work is just the best and worth every penny,” while another added: “It's s*** you can't trust anybody to do the right thing.”

Here’s the dimensions for the frame if anyone’s interested in a little Christmas N+1 gift for themselves (or someone beloved). According to Ricky, the frame should be good for 5’8” - 5’10”-ish…