London’s oldest worker-owned bike cooperative has been saved by the generosity of members of the public after a £40,000 crowdfunding campaign hit its target in less than a week.
Brixton Cycles – named ‘London’s best small bike retailer’ by the London Cycling Awards – officially launched its campaign on crowdfunder.co.uk on October 22 and hit its target just before 7pm last night.
The campaign’s public launch was preceded by a private preview to the shop’s nearest and dearest, on Wednesday 21, which generated more than 25% of funds towards the total.
The campaign now has a new target of £80,000 with 28 days left to go.
The cooperative estimates the total cost of securing, renovating and moving into a new space as between £120,000 and £150,000.
The initial crowdfunding target of £40,000 was the minimum Brixton Cycles’ needed to proceed with phase one of the move, however, support is still needed to help cover their total moving costs.
Up until the £40,000 mark, the campaign was all-or-nothing, all funds raised from this point will be secure and will definitely be received by the team.
The more money can be raised, the better the new shop will be and the sooner it will be able to open in a new home.
The secret of the community-focused business’s crowdfunding success is thought to be the outstanding reputation it has established serving south London’s cyclists and the Brixton community over the last 32 years.
A launch party for the campaign held at Brixton East on Thursday night attracted more than 200 guests.
The shop has also had great support from its extended networks, with suppliers (such as Specialized UK and Ison Distribution) donating brand new bicycles and parts to raise money for the campaign.
Businesses (such as Brixton Brewery and Cupped) have offered their time and wares, and fellow biking groups (including Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op) have sent out personal appeals to their networks, requesting support for Brixton Cycles’ campaign.
The campaign has also received the endorsement of Green Party leader Natalie Bennett, bicycle icon Keith Bontrager and award-winning actor Michael Smiley, among many others.
Brixton Cycles longest-serving coop member, Lincoln Romain, who has been with the shop for 26 years, said: “The generosity shown so far has been overwhelming!
“We’re humbled by the awesomeness of everybody who’s supported us – from the smallest donation to the largest.
“We’ve had loads of pledges from non-cyclists, who want to support the cause and what we stand for – that’s amazing!”
“But this is just the beginning. We still need help to secure our future premises and to continue our presence in the community. We don’t want to just survive, but to thrive!”
The crowdfunding campaign is live on Crowdfunder.co.uk until November 25. To donate visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/save-brixton-cycles
Picture courtesy of PYWong, with thanks
