Evans Cycles back in the saddle a year on from London Riots

Last year staff at Evans Cycles were counting the cost of a devastating night of violence after the shop was ransacked by looters.

But today business is booming as the shop surfs the wave of enthusiasm powered by Britain’s Olympic cycling team’s success.

The Chalk Farm branch lost around �75,000 in stock when a masked mob smashed its windows and stole designer bikes on the night of disorder last year.

Looters also snatched a cash box from Chalk Farm Cars, damaged Domino’s Pizza shopfront and looted independent LA1 Clothing and Sainsbury’s as they swept through Chalk Farm and Camden Town.

But thanks to gold medallists Bradley Wiggins, Sir Chris Hoy and Victoria Pendleton, business is up by about 20 per cent for the high-end bike shop, with road bikes and hybrids racing out of the door.

One customer, who had previously settled for a �150 model, traded it in for a �1,000 speed machine in a bid to copy his cycling heroes.

Manager Barry Godin, who arrived two weeks after the London riots, said: “There was a lot of clearing up and regaining the customer’s confidence, but things are going really well at the moment.

“With the weather, the Olympics and people increasingly wanting to avoid the overcrowded Tube, it’s the perfect time for us.”