Bath charity Julian House is set to close its social enterprise, the Bike Workshop, later this year, blaming rising costs and a difficult trading climate.
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The initiative, based on Corn Street, was launched in 2011 to help raise money for Julian House by repurposing second-hand and donated bikes to be sold and providing bike repairs.
The charity has said it will continue to deliver its charitable services for people who are homeless, vulnerable or at-risk.
These include rough sleeper outreach, supported accommodation for people recovering from homelessness, refuges and safe houses for people experiencing domestic abuse and prison resettlement accommodation in Bath.
The workshop, which will close in October, also hosted the Build-a-Bike scheme, delivering training for Julian House clients with a history of homelessness, offending, substance misuse or long-term unemployment.
Julian House has been vocal about the financial pressures it is facing in a climate of rising costs and public sector budget cuts. The increase in employer National Insurance contributions has added £165,000 to the charity’s costs this year alone.
This has been intensified at the Bike Workshop by a decline in interest and sales in refurbished bikes, following a boom during the Covid-19 pandemic.
On closing the Bike Workshop, the charity plans to focus on delivering other activities that can provide the best outcomes for its clients in Bath and across the South West.
Helen Bedser, Chief Executive of Julian House, said: “We have thought long and hard and concluded that now is the time to close our social enterprise, the Bike Workshop in Bath.
“We are proud of the impact we have had over those years: supporting people recovering from trauma to develop their skills, encouraging people to get out on their bikes and being part of the circular economy in Bath.
“We would like to thank our committed staff and volunteers who have been the lifeblood of the Bike Workshop, as well as everyone who has supported us by either donating a bike or through their loyal custom.”
The closure comes at a time when Julian House has launched an appeal for donations, warning that funding for its services across the South West is at risk while demand is higher than ever.
