Micromobility developing as Scottish Govt. plans electric scooter trials
- 17 jobs secured by the Somerset-based business
- Local retail, repair and servicing facilities
- Stores managed and staffed by local people
- Wide range of top brands of ebikes, escooters and accessories
On Wednesday (24 June), the Somerset-based firm Pure Electric will be opening new stores in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
This is part of an ambitious growth program with 9 other stores opening across the UK in the space of a few days, with European growth plans also being developed.
Peter Kimberley, Chief Executive of Pure Electric: “Our ambition is to be the largest e-bike and escooter retailer in Europe. We’ve got a fantastic team and demand is growing every day. Opening these stores is an important milestone for us.”
The business is the brainchild of former Hargreaves Lansdown pensions director Adam Norris, who launched his escooter business in 2018, before diversifying the company into e-bikes as well this year.
Norris recently handed over the role of CEO to Peter Kimberley but continues to work in the business full time, focusing on its growth strategy, its customer engagement and developing corporate partnerships, including Cycle to Work.
The store openings
The stores have been taken over from the Cycle Republic brand, which was owned by Halfords and which was being closed down. The stores are employing local colleagues who are all former Cycle Republic employees; they will offer a full range of retail, repair and servicing facilities. Pure Electric’s stores will stock a wide range of e-bikes, escooters and accessories from leading manufacturers.
Escooter trials
The store openings coincide with Department for Transport (DfT) consultations to fast-track trials of escooters in towns across the UK.
In response to Covid-19 and the need to introduce transport alternatives to public transport and private cars, the DfT is inviting applications from any town across Britain to operate escooter trials over the next 12 months.
According to the National Transport Survey, 57% of all car journeys are for distances of less than 5 miles and nearly a quarter are under 2 miles.
With public transport compromised due to Covid-19 infection risks. E-bikes and escooters are the perfect alternative for many of these journeys.
Growth plans
Pure Electric is already the UK’s leading e-mobility retailer. The firm is developing a network of stores across the UK, with more to follow. It is also set to open retail outlets across Europe, with stores planned in France and Spain.
Store opening details
Edinburgh: 71 Morrison Street, EH3 8BU
Glasgow: 107 Bothwell Street, G2 6TS