SHOPPING centre bosses have taken the wraps off a unique bid to tackle the menace of cycle thefts in the city.
Crowngate Shopping Centre has opened a new secure cycle storage and repair pop-up shop for bicycles, full of the equipment needed for maintenance and repairs whilst cyclists are out and about.
Funded with £2,500 from Worcester City Council and £1,000 from West Mercia Police, the empty unit close to the Angel Place entrance will boast ground hoops for secure lock-up of bikes, dedicated CCTV coverage, and power points for charging e-bicycle, alongside a space for inflating tyres and tightening seats and handlebars.
Crowngate Shopping Centre provides 24-hours-a-day security with an on-site patrol team, so cyclists can rest be assured their bikes are safe and in good hands.
The new lock-up is being delivered in partnership with West Mercia Police, whose records show that 350 bicycle thefts were recorded in South Worcestershire last year, with the majority in Worcester.
This represents an increase of 83.2 per cent compared to 2019, hence the need for action to be taken to ensure bicycles are secure.
Centre manager for Crowngate Shopping Centre, Michael Lloyd, said: “The arrival of the cycle storage is a fantastic way to encourage alternative methods of transport into the city, as well as satisfying the demand for secure cycle parking within Worcester.
“This is a creative use of a void retail unit, should it become tenanted then we would pick up the cycle storage and relocate it into another empty unit.
“Bike Worcester have been instrumental in helping us to ensure we have the right location and level of security, we welcome them as partners on this venture.
“We’re hoping to offer other services to the cycling community in the coming months, including marking, advice and repair shops.
“We’re committed to supporting our local stakeholders and the environment in any way we can.
A ‘Design a Bike for the Future’ competition for children up to the age of 16 to win £1,000 to spend on bicycles for their whole family will be launched in the coming weeks.
Visit www.crowngate-worcester.co.uk or www.facebook.com/crowngateshopping for more.
