What do you think will happen to the UK bike retail industry?

[Smokin Joe]

Appealing though the latter type was / is, they could sometimes stray into Smith & Jones Hi-fi shop territory

They probably did in some instances, but I was lucky with the two near me in east London who were never anything but helpful and friendly even when starting out as a rookie.

Rory O' Brien in Manor Park and EG Bates in Plaistow, both shops long gone, sadly.