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12
Aug 2022
Prologue opens 'luxury showroom' for bikes in Harrogate
Performance cycling business Prologue is to open the bike equivalent of a "luxury car showroom" in Harrogate tomorrow.
The showroom will display some of the finest quality bikes on the market, ranging in price from £3,000 to £15,000.
The showroom is based in Wellington House, the former hotel on Cold Bath Road.
John and Rachael Reid opened Prologue in another unit in Wellington House in 2014 — the year the Tour de France came to the Harrogate district.
Since then Prologue's distinctive yellow branding has become a feature of Cold Bath Road. It has a shop selling cycling gear and clothing, a workshop, a bike fitting area and a café open to everyone.
But it doesn't sell many bikes simply because there isn't space.
The new showroom, in the former White Stone Ski and Sports Store, will address that by stocking up to 40 bikes.
The white lines of a road have been painted in the middle of the showroom and bikes will be displayed there, as well as hung from the walls to create a high end feel.
Mr Reid said:
Prologue is expanding on Cold Bath Road.
Harrogate's cycling hub
Scottish-born Mr Reid, who previously worked in software sales, opened Prologue eight years ago when he was looking for a change of career and lifestyle.
A keen cyclist, he and his wife, who used to work in the same building on Cold Bath Road when it was home to Harrogate Interiors, funded the business themselves.
They now employ eight full-time staff and several part-time and the shop only closes three days a year.
The business has benefitted from a surge of interest in performance cycling and British success in the Tour de France but the couple have worked hard to create a social hub as well as a business.
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They quickly forged links with local clubs Harrogate Nova and Cappuccino Cycling Club, whose members often converge outside. They also host talks on subjects such as nutrition and training and have even hold film screenings.
A launch event for the new showroom at Prologue tomorrow will feature a bike belonging to Tom Pidcock, the Leeds cyclist who represented Team Ineos, the leading British cycling team, at this year's Tour de France.
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