A York café, bike shop and workshop will close at the end of this month.
Bicis y mas, one of the city’s few vegetarian cafés, and the bicycle repair and sales business are soon to shut up shop.
The retailer, which has been trading for three years on Walmgate, announced the decision on its Facebook page:
Hot food will cease to be served after August 6th but drinks and cakes will continue to be served until we close.
Workshop services will continue throughout August as well as a sale of all bikes and accessories and by appointment throughout September.
Customers dismayed
Run by Jane and Ellis Thackray, the Bicis y mas team thanked their customers for their support, and said that new challenges awaited.
“Our ‘new venture’ is retiring, travelling, cycling and gardening!”
Jane Thackray told the York Press that retirement was the primary reason for closure.
But the internet had made difficult for retailers, and “the final nail in the coffin was the increase in business rates this year”.
Customers were dismayed by the news. “This is sad in so many ways,” commented Chris Cunningham on Facebook.
“Bicis y mas was a wonderful community hub, produced a terrific veggie breakfast and had a magic bike workshop.”
Robyn Jankel agreed: “Oh my gosh this is really sad news. I love the veggie breakfasts and the Buddha bowl was delicious.”
“Thanks for the advice, support , the caffeine and the chat,” wrote Jonathan Moore. “Walmgate will be much less without you guys.”
City centre shop to close as owner says ‘York is changing’