It is with a heavy heart that we report the administration and liquidation of Moore Large, a major cycling distributor in the UK. After more than 70 years of providing quality bikes and accessories to cycling enthusiasts across the country, the company has sadly collapsed, leaving many to wonder what went wrong.

As part of the liquidation process, around 35,000 bikes, valued at £25 million, as well as cycling accessories including clothing and helmets, will be auctioned off in the coming weeks. For cycling enthusiasts, this presents an opportunity to potentially secure some big-name bikes and accessories at a great price. The auctions will be handled by Nottingham-based auction house John Pye & Sons, who have been appointed by the administrators, FRP Advisory, to ensure the highest level of efficiency and return for creditors.

It’s heartbreaking to see a long-standing company like Moore Large come to this end. The company had previously stocked an array of brands, including Forme, Lake, Microshift, Barracuda, and Vitesse, all of which are likely to turn up in auction lots. However, significant discounts following the Covid boom were a key factor in the brand’s collapse, according to company director Adam Briggs.

“Big demand led to a big increase in supply,” he said. “Then the supply caught up, and lots of stock arrived in the first quarter of 2022. There was a year’s worth of bikes arriving in the UK at the same time, which meant there was a massive oversupply. That triggered significant discounts at every level between 30% and 50%. People were still buying bikes, but not at a fast enough rate for us to cover our costs.”

It is a difficult time for Moore Large’s staff, and we sympathize with those who will lose their jobs due to the company’s liquidation. Currently, a skeleton staff is being kept on at the Derby-based company to deal with the administrative process. Our thoughts are with them during this challenging time.

For those interested in bidding on the bikes and accessories, John Pye will gradually add the stock to their website, with online auctions commencing on Friday, March 24th. Home delivery is available for all lots.

We wish Moore Large’s staff and customers all the best during this challenging time. It’s never easy to say goodbye to a beloved brand, but we hope that the legacy of Moore Large and its contribution to the cycling community will be remembered for years to come.

If you are interested in this auction visit https://www.johnpye.co.uk/moorelarge/