'Such a shame' as financial pressures force closure of Derby charity

Derbyshire Live readers are shocked and saddened to hear that a charity branch that has backed thousands of Derby cyclists for over a decade has been forced to close due to financial struggles. Life Cycle, a charity that promotes cycling and careers in the industry, has confirmed its closure through a heartfelt statement from its chief executive, citing persistent financial pressures as a key reason.

The charity, which established its branch near Derby Railway Station, 11 years ago, also stated that the recently announced policy to increase employer National Insurance contributions has "significantly" increased financial pressures. Coupled with issues surrounding complications around its workshop lease renewal and the high costs of renting alternative premises, it has all left the hub in an "untenable" position.

Over the past five years alone, the Derby Hub has assisted more than 3,000 individuals. One such individual, Yosief, a local refugee, recounted his experience: "When I first arrived in Derby, they welcomed me with a smile and a helping hand, and they offered me a road bike, which changed my life. Cycling has enhanced my physical health and mental well-being and helped me overcome culture shock by allowing me to make friends and integrate into the community.”

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The charity, which was initially established in 1999, has aided more than 87,000 individuals in reaping the health, environmental, and social advantages of cycling. The organisation also holds the Robin Corbett Award for prisoner reintegration, demonstrating its commitment to transforming lives through its work in prisons like HMP Fosse Way.

Commenter Spondonian remembers: “A few years ago I decided to bid farewell to several of my bikes and, after I was told of this charity and its ethical work, I donated them. This was mostly as I no longer felt safe to use the roads due to the speed and poor driving of many drivers. I decided to walk or use a bus for local journeys where practical. The mechanical education and training 'Life Cycle Hub' has provided over the years has changed many lives and deserves to get premises rent and rate free as part of the city's future environmental offer.”

Slydogontheside agrees: “Such a shame to see this charity go. I have donated several cycles over the years to this excellent scheme. To encourage cycling you must have outlets like this one and not only promote them as the way it has been set up, it is a win, win, for everybody involved. They will be sadly missed.”

Elucidator adds: “Surely the City Council has underused premises around the city suited to the needs of this charity - there is no commercial demand - a subsidised lease (i.e. free) could be arranged to enable this organisation to contribute to the health and economic objectives that the City Council are committed to.”

Mildinfarction asks: “Maybe there is a generous benefactor in the city that could throw them a lifeline, sponsor the company, offer them free space? The first of many down to the huge increase in the minimum wage and NI cost of employers. The exact opposite of what should have happened. This was a fantastic charity, offering hope to ex-prisoners and many others.”

Beaufort1 sees the other side of the argument: “Being serious, and without acrimony, how exactly do we finance the services we all want without measures that are painful? I agree that the measures were not ideal, but all the parties avoid income tax rises like the plague. What’s left? The big companies are adept at structuring their finances beyond the reach of the UK government. If we want a health service that can treat people in a timely fashion, if we want cases to appear before the courts in months not years, if we want more prison spaces, an effective border force and services for the elderly, then the government has got to raise substantial amounts of money. There would be less need for charities if we hadn’t had a dozen years of cuts, infighting and Brexit. The fact that people are using food banks in a civilised country is testament to the blundering regime that has just been replaced..”

Fraseram disagrees with the government’s solution: “This is just one of many businesses that will close due to the increase in Employer NI, a tax that should not even exist anyway. In what rational universe do you actually tax jobs and job creation? Literally everything about our society is upside down and runs counter to all sense and decency.”

AndyTopliff says: “Such a shame, this worthwhile venture has to close, and here we are with our council squandering over £9 million on the Nottingham Road/Derby Road (Chaddesden) cycle lane.”

Scott2 agrees: “It's a fantastic facility, it's such a shame it's closing. I used it for any repairs, and they did loads of work with the prison too, giving people useful skills.”

CMG adds finally: “The ‘cost of everything, value of nothing’ society in action: getting thousands of people cycling, whilst training and rehabilitating prisoners is worth millions. Surely a private sponsor can step in?”

Are you sad to see this worthwhile charity go? Have your say in our comments section.