New owner of Green Machine, Horwich, is excited for new venture

Cycle enthusiast had John Spencer had to make the heart-breaking decision to sell Horwich-based business Green Machine on grounds of health.

But now a Bolton man is gearing up to take on the business.

Neal Taylor says he is  excited as well as 'a little terrified' to take over a popular bike shop in Horwich.

Neal, 41, has lived in Bolton since 1987 in the Hulton area and has a vast experience of working with bikes over his career.

He is now beginning on a new role as owner of the Green Machine Bike Shop on Lee Lane.

John opened Green Machine in Horwich in 1991, and he is hoping that it can continue to be a bike shop when it changes hands.

John, the previous owner of Green Machine

Neal says he is excited to continue the work John began as well as introduce new intiatives.

Neal said: "I felt like I needed a change in career, as I wasn't feeling satisfied with my work in engineering project management any longer.

"I'd always talked about having a bike shop as a retirement job, and how the Green Machine was in a ideal spot.

"When it was advertised as being for sale, I started exploring it as a serious option.

"I want to maintain the high quality of service that is the corner stone of the business, and expand the service to include E-bikes by investing in training and equipment.

"I want to be a bike shop for everybody, whether a beginner, a child or a keen racer.

"We are going to be diverse with our ranges to cover all disciplines of cycling, for both accessories and bikes.

"I also want to be able to be a cycling hub, a place for cyclists to start and end group rides, and to offer hot drinks and cakes.

"I hope that by next spring to have given the store a lick of paint, and to have started an evening social ride from the store.

"Before taking on the Green Machine, I had experience of working in the cycling sector from my time as a student.

ALSO READ: Cycle enthusiast's heartbreaking decision to sell business after more than 30 years

"I have worked at Halfords on the cycle desk, at both Manchester Road and Middlebrook, as well as Parkers Ride and Drive, and when I lived in Sheffield at a store called the Ozone.

"Whilst I have been working in industry, as a service engineer, process engineer, project engineer and engineering project management, I have always worked on my own 'fleet' of bikes, as well as maintaining friends bikes.

"I have always kept up to date with the latest technologies and the cycling world and ride whenever and whatever I can.

"I am quite excited to be taking on the shop, as well as a little terrified.

"Thankfully my whole family is supportive of the venture, as well as our friends.

"I hope that I will live up to my ambition of being as well respected as John, as the name and its history are an important part of the shop."

Neal has been the owner of Green Machine for just over a week now and is looking forward to welcoming loyal customers back as well as inviting new customers too.