A MUCH-LOVED cycling hub in a Cheshire town has closed just one year after it was launched.
Husband and wife Kay and Craig Tierney quit top jobs to open the unique fitness centre, Apus Peak, where people could meet, shop, eat and chat.
The closure was announced in an emotional message on social media: “Knutsford, fellow cyclists and all the beautiful people we have met along the way, Apus Peak has closed its doors and we will miss you all.
“Thanks for amazing memories.”
Sadly, this is the third business in Knutsford to cease trading in recent weeks.
Copper 29, a wine bar and bistro on Princess Street shut in December.
Petite Pomme, a patisserie on Regent Street also closed down recently.
Knutsford barista Mark Lee-Kilgariff, who runs Tatton Perk’s two coffee shops, said: “Such a shame. I’m afraid this is just the start of it.
“Hard times to come for small businesses. Wishing you all the best.”
Customers say they are ‘very sorry’ about this ‘sad news’.
One resident said: “Such a shame, you were so generous, hosting art and photography shows.”
Apus Peak offered a community space for everyone to get active with an indoor cycle class, maintenance workshop, a range of the latest bike clothing and accessories, yoga studio and a café.
Kay, 37, a former hotel commercial director, said last year: “We are both keen sports people and after spending so much more time cycling out in the fresh air with our family during lockdown, it didn’t feel right to go back to the industries were in before.
“We’ve put all our passion and love into this instead and it has been absolutely brilliant.
“I came from hospitality which I love and I just want to make people comfortable around sport.”
Craig, 49, a former operations director, said: “It has been a lot of hard work but the energy within the place is absolutely fantastic.”
The pair teamed up with five passionate cyclists to run the pioneering venture.
The couple, from Lymm, have four children, Oliver, Aaron, Harry and Niamh, and did all they could to make families feel at home in the hub.
They transformed the old Laura Ashley building in Tatton Street with support from property developer Bruntwood Works.
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