Dales Bike Centre
In the heart of Swaledale, nestled between Arkengarthdale and Wensleydale, the Dales Bike Centre delights everyone who visits, whether they enjoy biking or not! Our expansion project included a new-build bike hire and workshop hub plus a bright, spacious and modern extension to the existing café.
Although intimate and cosy, the original café only offered around 20 covers and as the popularity of the Bike Centre took off it quickly became evident that demand was beginning to outstrip supply. The compact kitchen area also struggled to cope with customer numbers and as the café and Bike Centre’s reputation spread it became clear that catering for the growing number of guests was becoming increasingly challenging.
| Type: | Cafe Extension |
| Client: | Dales Bike Centre |
| Location | Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority |
| Status: | Completed |
Cue the new café extension that not only accommodates 70 covers but also includes a fabulous servery and kitchen area where Brenda and her team create the most delicious offering of cakes, paninis, soups, all-day breakfast, oh and did we mention the cakes?! In fact, the official name of the café is Café and Cakery!
Using materials that are sympathetic to the original buildings, the extension has a sky garden roof and air-source heating system. With an expansive glass wall with bi-fold doors, coupled with brightly painted furniture, the new café area is light and incredibly welcoming. It’s the place were people return to time and time again for a meal, or just a coffee, a natter and to enjoy the sociable atmosphere, and, naturally, to savour the cakes!
The project also involved the design of a new stunning timber-clad bike hire hub and workshop, which helps to satisfy the increasing demand for e-bikes which have taken off dramatically. The outer area includes a large courtyard area providing much-needed space for bike preparation, storage and washing down. This also creates a cycle/pedestrian-only zone giving an open feel to the space. Additionally, there are showers for day visitors and more parking. Furthermore, this development offers capacity to cater for the growth in cycling groups in their 50s to 70s who have more free time.
Stu and Brenda, who own the Dales Bike Centre, have an enviable business model whereby although they are primarily a bike hire and repair outlet, many of their customers have no interest in cycling. The Bike Centre attracts guests from all walks of life and all ages, some visit to enjoy the outstanding refreshments, others call in as they take in a local walk and enjoy the great outdoors, whilst of course many are there because of the infinite cycling opportunities on the doorstep across the Dales’ landscape. In addition, for those who wish to stay for a night or more, there is bunk and breakfast accommodation.
The new extension and bike hire hub and workshop have delivered a greatly enhanced visitor experience and helped introduce many people to the joy of the Dales’ heritage and countryside. As well as catering for visitors to the Dales, the Bike Centre has the local community firmly at its heart. Residents flock to the extended café to meet up with friends and family and the Centre also hosts several local community groups, including Reeth Fire and Rescue Service Crew and Reeth Young Farmers.
Throughout the year, there are numerous biking events, including the famous Ardrock Enduro Mountain Bike Festival. Welcoming around 4,500 riders, the new café extension and Centre facilities are well equipped to support the event.
There are further expansion plans in the pipeline, the first stage of this will see four timber-glad glamping pods being added to the suite of accommodation.
We have loved working on the Dales Bike Centre project, proven by the frequency that our staff return as customers. It’s a venue that has successfully explored and implemented a business strategy that has a diverse range of customers and does not purely rely on a single target market. Uniting a mix of demographics and interests the Dales Bike Centre appeals to everyone, offers fantastic employment opportunities in the community, makes a positive impact on the area, boosts the local economy and delivers some of the best mountain biking in the country, all supported by amazing refreshments ……………. and did we mention their cakes?!
Find out more about the Dales Bike Centre at Dales Bike Centre
