Press release: Witcomb Cycles

Press release
For immeditate release

Witcomb Cycles will be present at this year's Cycle Show in Earls Court as part of ambitious plans to rejuvenate the business.

Witcomb Cycles is the only company in London (and one of the very few in the UK) retaining the skills and craftmanship to build steel bicycles by hand. Capitalising on 80 years of experience in frame-building, Witcomb is about to embark on a new exciting venture.

Barrie Witcomb, the master frame-builder, is joining forces with leading designer Tony Malone and his associates to create a new range of bespoke bicycles, bringing together the best of British craftsmanship and British design. This will allow customers to order bicycles hand-made in the great Witcomb tradition and have them personalised and made even more unique with an exclusive livery, designed according to their specifications.

Future plans include the creation of a cycling club and the resurrection the Witcomb Racing Team which served as a starting point for the likes of Phil Liggett, David Burwood, and Richard Williamson. An owners' club will be placed under the control of Ernie Witcomb, the founder of the company, who is still going strong at 89.

The stall at the Cycle Show will be an opportunity for the brand to unveil the new service and to renew contact with its many fans. Several of Witcomb's concept frames will be on display, including a revolutionary prototype white carbon bicycle.

Tony Malone said: "For me, designing bicycles presents an exciting challenge and many opportunity for good design. I am very honoured to be working with such renowned craftsmen as Witcomb Cycles and to present examples of our new designs to the public and the rest of the trade at the cycle show. I see my role as helping Witcomb develop to its full potential but retaining the existing values of the business."

Witcomb Cycles will be on stand i7 at the Earls Court Cycle Show.
www.cycleshow.co.uk

Notes to the Editor:

Witcomb Cycles is an old south London business. The company has been based in Tanners Hill, Deptford since its creation by Ernie Witcomb in 1949. Ernie's father, Tom, who was a steel worker in the local dockyards, started hand-making bicycles in 1928. A Witcomb bicycle was the last British machine to compete in the Tour de France in 1958.

Barrie Witcomb started his apprenticeship under the guidance of Malcolm Barker in 1958 at the age of 15. He has worked all is life with Witcomb Cycles developing his unique skills. He is also a former racing champion and a mechanic for British Cycling Federation's teams in many prestigious international races. Along with many others, Barry has trained renowned American master frame-builders Richard Sachs and Peter Weigle.

Tony Malone BA (Hons) MCSD MISTD FRSA (dip) is leading a graphic designer. Working closely with Barrie, Tony heads the design department, designing livery and working on
special projects. He is a very keen cyclist with a track record as a road safety campaigner. Tony is also creative director at Design for Diversity, the only creative agency in the UK to integrate creative design, marketing, equalities, diversity and accessibility.