A NEW retailer has ridden into town after setting up shop in one of the Chantry Centre’s vacant units.

Hampshire eBikes has launched a pop-up shop in the town’s shopping centre, which opened to the public on Sunday, June 28. The shop showcases Mark2’s range of sports and leisure eBikes alongside a selection of beautiful Danish eBikes called Batribike.

The in-store team has great knowledge of the premium quality electric bikes and staff will be on hand to offer advice and answer any questions customers may have.

Both bike brands purchased from the Chantry Centre store will be supported and serviced from the Mark2 headquarters, which is due to open on Portway East within the next couple of months.

Ed Thomas, Hampshire eBikes owner, said: “We chose the Chantry Centre for our pop-up shop as we wanted to take advantage of the current interest in eBikes and cycling in general and make sure we could offer bikes to anyone currently looking in the Hampshire area. The Chantry Centre has a good central location and allows us to show the bikes to those that prefer to see the real thing offline.”

The news comes just a fortnight after high street stores starting reopening after an enforced shutdown during the coronavirus lockdown, and borough council leader, Councillor Phil North has welcomed the addition of a new store in the Chantry Centre.

He said: “It’s very exciting to see Hampshire eBikes opening in the Chantry Centre, adding real variety to the centre’s current retailer offering.

“Cycling has become increasingly popular during the lockdown period and it’s great to see a local business promoting sustainable transport options in Andover.

“We’re really pleased that Hampshire eBikes has taken the opportunity to use the council’s easy-in, easy-out pop-up scheme and we wish them all the best with making this a success.”

Test Valley Borough Council has ambitious plans for the future of the Chantry Centre as part of the town centre redevelopment project. In the meantime it is operating an ‘easy-in, easy-out’ scheme for local retailers who may wish to trial a short term residence in a retail unit and raise their profile in the town before making a longer term commitment.

For more information, contact Colin Hares on 01264 368000 or email chares@testvalley.gov.uk

To find out more about Hampshire eBikes, go to www.hampshire-ebikes.co.uk/

Hampshire eBikes is also offering Lifestyle Card holders £150 off the Mark2 range.