A LOCAL charity’s bike shop is on the move to much larger premises in Ross-on-Wye.

As part of the town’s Enviroability project, Bob's Bikes, which sells refurbished bicycles, has just moved into much larger premises on the Wolf Business Park.

Bob Davies, who started as a volunteer with Enviroability, a charity which helps people from disadvantaged groups with real work opportunities and experiences after retiring ten years ago from PGL outdoor pursuits and took up cycling as a hobby.

Bob explained that he knew the basics in keeping a bike maintained, but working on second-hand bikes was a new venture for him, but he quickly learnt his way round bicycles of all sorts of varieties.

Over the past decade the Bob’s Bikes has moved around town, taking advantage of different properties as they become available.

Bob said: “There is a lot more to fixing second-hand bikes than I realised. The bikes that have been donated have often been sitting unused in people’s sheds for more than a decade. Others have just been outgrown by their owner.

“Its nice to get them refurbished and give the bike a new lease of life. Any bicycle that is too far gone will be recycled in other ways.

“The new workshop and retail area is an ideal location for repairing and restoring of bikes for the financial benefit the charity.”

Bob repairs and refurbishes donated bikes, and this leaves the team at Enviroability to sell them at affordable prices.

On display at the new premises is a wide range of over 70 bikes which are suitable for both adults and children. Bob has been known to tailor bikes to meet individual requirements.

Bob's Bikes
LARGE DISPLAY: The management team at Enviroability with some of the bikes for sale, Bob Davies, Paula Evans, Stacey Donachie and Daniel Lister. (Tindle)

The larger premises also means that the team behind Enviroability now has the space to sell items of furniture that have been reconditioned at its workshop by individuals and groups, that had previously been marginalised, but have now become accepted and integrated, by learning new skills and boosting their self-esteem.

Charity furniture
FURNITURE DEPT: The young team with some of the recycled, refurbished items are Nathan Jones, Harvey Sayce and Libby Eden. (Tindle)

The bike shop, probably the biggest second-hand outlet in Ross at Hildersley House, Gloucester Road, is currently open on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9am to 4pm but with additional volunteers the charity hopes to open six days a week. A small range of furniture is currently on offer as the team refurbishes donated items.

If you would like to volunteer for Enviroability helping the team to sell bikes and furniture they would love to hear from you. People can drop in at the charity’s other store in the Old Mill in Brookend Street, or by calling 01989 763388 or emailing [email protected].