Village coffee stop and bike shop is business of the year!

A BUSINESS based in Whitley has been named as Chippenham Constituency Small Business of the Year, in a competition run by MP Michelle Donelan, to mark the annual Small Business Saturday event.

Spindles Coffee Stop and Bike Shop opened in Whitley in the Covid-19 pandemic in July 2021, and is an expansion of Spindles Corsham. The bike shop serves riders across Wiltshire and beyond, with the Coffee Stop encouraging riders to take a break for coffee and homemade cake on their circuit and get their bike fixed.

“Starting up during Covid was always going to be difficult, but the selection of businesses on the premises complement each other. The café is growing and is now serving some hot food and providing pantry staples for local residents. We also have several exciting events in the planning for our customers, cyclists or families, businesses and community groups and some more lively themed parties.

“Our customers come from far and wide! Villagers to long distance riders, walkers and workers, and those driving past who are intrigued by the setup. We strive to support other local companies. Our delicious cakes come from Bunch of Cakes in Melksham, our remarkable accountant is SPS Accountancy in Whitley. We use local tradesmen when we can and work with community organisations.

“Being named Chippenham Constituency Small Business of the Year is empowering and means the world to us as we’re still a young, emerging business. The shortlist was a selection of excellent companies that we wouldn’t have imagined we could compete with. This is a testament to our small team of hard-working staff. It shows our customers support our vision and it encourages us to keep going and build on the services we offer. The relationships we’ve built through being here have been invaluable, and we can’t wait to make more connections, far and wide, as we grow.”

Local residents nominated their favourite small, local or independent business from the constituency. The nominations were then put into a poll online, where residents could then vote for their favourite business. The nominations consisted of all manner of businesses in the community – from shops, to services, to pubs and restaurants. Businesses were nominated for a whole range of reasons, such as they provide residents with their favourite products and services, and as they go that extra mile for their customers.

Michelle Donelan met with Spindles bikes and invited them to Parliament for afternoon tea in the new year. The MP said, “Small businesses are truly the backbone of our economy and I encourage everyone to get out and about and explore our many brilliant small businesses we have right across the constituency. Spindles are such an asset to our local community. Whenever I visit the shop, I am always made to feel welcome and I am met with beaming smiles. It was a pleasure to visit the winners, Spindles Bikes, and congratulate the team on all the work they do.”

Wiltshire councillor for Whitley, cllr Phil Alford said, “I am pleased that Spindles Bikes and Coffee shop has been crowned the winner of Michelle’s competition to mark small business Saturday. Spindles are an asset to the local community here in Whitley.”

Pictured: Karen Baker, Coffee Stop owner; Tom Skinner, master frame builder, Spindles; Amy Whittle, Coffee Stop director; Caitlin Tinnion, Coffee Stop manager; Laurie Smith, barista and Michele Marshall, barista with Michelle Donelan