Couple open bike repair service in Romford

Gary Kerr has always had a passion for bikes and cycling 

A couple have opened a bike repair service in Romford after their work stopped due to the coronavirus pandemic.

GK Cycles was set up after Gary Kerr’s work as a black cab driver stopped in lockdown.

His wife, Lorraine Kerr, was then furloughed from her part time job as an Adminstrator. She was also managing a long-term health condition and looking after grandchildren.

Gary had previously worked as a Metropolitan Police Officer for 26 years and in the army, Scots Guards, for nine years.

Whilst in the police force, he studied for three and half years. Then he took exams to become a Licensed London Black Taxi Officer leading him to his job as a cab driver.

Due to the change in circumstances, having always had a passion for cycling, Gary studied and passed a test to earn his professional Cytech qualification(for advanced cycling repairs).

Gary said: “There was no work in London and I didn’t qualify for the assist payment (self-employed furlough scheme) so I thought what am I going to do?!

“My wife got made redundant so I thought what about doing this for a job. What about trying to repair peoples bikes and get them serviced?!

“The local shops in Romford had all shut down. I got a couple of friends who run bike shops and they’re currently booked up until October so I thought there’s a little gap in the market in the Romford area. I thought I’d try to tap into it.

“I’ve seen alot of bikes that have been in sheds. They’ve come to me seized up and I’ve got them working.

“It’s nice to see people being able to get back at it, exercise and try to keep healthy.”

Lorraine said: “I am managing the admin side of things. It’s a learning curve and we have never done anything like this before, but we both LOVE IT!!!!

“You get to meet all sorts of people and every day is different, it’s nice to get people up and running and back on their Bikes.”

GK Cycle Services are offering free cycle health checks until the end of August for anyone needing their bike checked over.

Priority slots are given to NHS Staff but anyone is welcome to book.

To find out more information, head to the GK Cycles facebook page.

Alternatively, call GK Cycles on 07581015003 to book a free bike check.

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