Metropolis Barnet are closed

Off-topic
1

A sign of the times? I can’t imagine for a site like that their rent was affordable.

https://www.metropolismotorcycles.com/pages/barnet-closed/ducati-barnet-closed-for-business.htm

It is with sadness that due to disappointing trading and rising costs in an increasingly competitive market, we have had to close the Barnet Branch of Metropolis Motorcycles Ltd. The Vauxhall branch remains open.

Be assured that the Barnet team members have either been offered the chance to relocate to our Vauxhall branch and where that hasn’t been possible we have ensured that they have been provided with the right support to enable them to have found suitable re-employment.

The Vauxhall Branch of Metropolis Motorcycles will be able to provide continuity of service for you and maintain and support the service requirements of your machine.
We are sorry to have to had to take such action that affects our staff, customers and community alike.  The closure in no way reflects the dedication and passion that our staff have put into serving our loyal customers over many years. We are thankful for their hard work and are grateful for your custom and look forward to greeting you at Vauxhall in the future.

2

I’ve never been to that store but it’s still sad to hear that stores are still closing down.

3
I've never been to that store but it's still sad to hear that stores are still closing down.

Me neither. I've used the Vauxhall one many times and have no complaints. It's sad to hear of job losses.

Surely motorbike sales, servicing and accessories sales are growth market. You would need to understand the story at this particular shop more before accepting generalisations like “disappointing trading”. Maybe the landlord has doubled the rent.

4

Mike the boss of that store got a bit fed up with the commute so took up head of Ducati dept at On yer Bike which is down the road from him. The mechanics got work at KTM easily enough. I got my ducati Scrambler from him at Metropolis and way back in 2005 when he was a bike salesman at what was once Colin Collins in Letchworth I bought an SV650s from him. 

5

Colin Collins that was a dealership with some questionable business decisions and activities.