South West dealer shuts up shop

After more than 63 years of trading, Gloucestershire lost one of its oldest businesses at the end of March with the closure of Peter Hammond Motorcycles.

Dave and Trish Hammond sadly called time on the family business that was founded by their father, Peter Hammond in 1959. Trish and Dave took over in the late 1980s, and with Trish keen to retire and Dave looking to pursue other ambitions, they reluctantly decided to close the doors.

The shop, still based in its original setting in Watermoor Road, Cirencester, has, over the years, been a part of the town’s fabric, and for many generations it has been their first experience of twowheeled freedom.

It started from very humble beginnings with one machine loaned by BSA and the business run from a small, converted bakery. Over the years, the company grew rapidly by purchasing two adjoining properties allowing for a large showroom with a comprehensive second-floor parts area. The expansion enabled the business to hold many franchises ranging from BSA and Triumph in the early days, to Honda (37 years), Suzuki (44 years) and then Yamaha during the motorcycle glory years of the 1970s and 80s. In recent times, the business has been successful as a Yamaha Premier dealer, a franchise it relinquished at the end of 2021 after a 49-year partnership with the other family dealerships, the cost of implementing the manufacturer’s visual identity programme initiated a rethink on the way forward.

The longevity of the staff and a reputation for ‘Good Old-Fashioned Service’ has been very much at the heart of why the business has enjoyed such longterm success. Dave and Trish have been ably assisted by Andy Peachey (60 years employed), Ray Daffon (44 years), Joe Kirton (34 years), Stuart Wallis (22 years) and the ‘youngster’ Tom Aldis (6 years).

Although closed, the business is now liquidating more than 60 years of stock – from British spares dating back to the 1960s and classic Japanese spares for Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha, to current Yamaha parts and more.

Contact sales@hammondmotorcycles.co.uk

Roly Capper closes

ROLY CAPPER MOTORCYCLES, based in Leek, Staffordshire, closed its doors permanently on 11 March after nearly 60 years in business. Owners David and Yvonne Swain had hoped to sell the business as a going concern on retirement, but instead the building has been bought by a London-based property developer.

The company hit the headlines in 2009 when more than 800 bikers supported the pair’s fight against Staffordshire County Council, which had threatened the future of the business. It came after they had started using council land next to the shop as a parking space and storage area. A recent social media post read: “We would like to thank all our local customers who have supported us over the years. As of Saturday 11 March, the business will be closing its doors for the last time. It has been a very emotional time for us, and we would like to say a big thank you to everyone who called in to see us. We are going to miss you all.”