Who are they and where are they based?
Manchester Bike Kitchen are a not-for-profit community organisation established in 2021 as a Community Interest Company (CIC) whose mission is to teach and support people in becoming proficient in bike riding and maintenance. They operate a main base as a ‘pop-up’ every weekend at Stanley Square in Sale Town Centre in Trafford.
What do they do and why?
The team behind Manchester Bike Kitchen are bike enthusiasts with backgrounds in delivering community initiatives. In early 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, as the demand for bikes and bike repairs rose substantially, they recognised the importance of affordable bikes for everyone and bike maintenance skills.
They have a number of volunteers, young and old, who come along to support the project and develop their bike maintenance skills.
They offer bicycle repairs, sell new and recycled bikes, and hold workshops and training courses to upskill cyclists to safety check and undertake basic repairs to their bikes.
Their Recycle Project has expanded quickly thanks to grant support from Recycle for Greater Manchester (R4GM). They host a series of ‘pop-up’ bike repair events in Manchester, Salford and Tameside where the public can bring their bikes for a free safety check, and basic repairs utilising salvaged bike parts from donated bikes, with no charge to the customer.
“The GMCVO social investment loan has enabled the project to not just start up, but grow quickly. We have serviced over 200 bicycles at affordable prices, recycled over 500 bicycles and taught over 80 cyclists how to maintain their bikes” – John Dwan, Director
What funding and support did they receive?
Manchester Community Bike Kitchen received a social investment loan from GMCVO for £17,000 which enabled them to invest in specialist equipment, set up a website and social media accounts, undertake marketing, and help to become sustainable as an organisation.
The investment team at GMCVO supported them to develop their business plan, to set budgets and milestones, and ensured their plans were deliverable in a cost-effective way.
What impact has the funding had?
Without the loan, they would have struggled to fund their set-up costs and to grow and sustain their great work. The project is now established and has a really bright future!
Everyone knows the importance of an active lifestyle; cycling is a great way to keep healthy, especially when on a recycled bike! Visit their website to find out more: www.mcrbikekitchen.co.uk
This investment was funded by The Growth Fund; a partnership between The National Lottery Community Fund and Big Society Capital, delivered by Access through a range of social investors. It makes up to £50m available to support charities and social enterprises to grow and create social impact in their communities. The Growth Fund uses a combination of grant funding, made possible thanks to National Lottery players, and loan finance from Big Society Capital and other co-investors, to address specific gaps in the social investment market.
