Government urged to 'salvage' Raleigh's name

A council is planning to ask the government to step in to buy the Raleigh name with the historic Nottingham bicycle firm in administration.

Raleigh, which began in 1887, became the world's largest bike company, employing more than 13,000 people at its peak in the 1970s.

But this month, its Dutch owners Accell UK & Ireland appointed administrators.

Broxtowe Borough Council leader Milan Radulovic told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) he plans, alongside Raleigh, to approach the Secretary of State for trade and industry to "salvage the legacy name".

In the past half a century, the firm's Triumph Road site which once had about 8,000 workers, closed in 2002 with manufacturing moving overseas.

Raleigh was bought by Accell Group for about $100m (£62m) in 2012.

The Dutch company's chief executive Jonas Nilsson said its financial situation was "deeply sad and frustrating".

It comes after a difficult period for Raleigh, which saw redundancies in 2024 and losses of £30m in accounts released the following year.

Radulovic said council officers were in contact with the company to discuss how the cycle brand could return to Nottinghamshire at a site in Awsworth, potentially with a Raleigh museum to honour its heritage.

Broxtowe Borough Council had been Raleigh's landlord after it was based in Durban House in Eastwood following restructuring in 2024.

Radulovic said, at this stage, it is "just an idea," but the authority should be looking at "constructive ways" to bring business to Broxtowe.

He said: "It needs government intervention.

"We need the government to start supporting British industry, instead of allowing it to be sold up and broken up overseas.

"The government has a major opportunity to work with the local authority and Raleigh, one that would last generations to come and bring jobs into this country – that's what patriotism looks like."

The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade told the LDRS it could not comment on any purchase, but a government spokesperson said: "While this is a commercial decision for Raleigh, we understand that this will be a concerning time for workers and their families.

"A broad range of support is available for those affected. Acas can also provide employees and employers with free, impartial advice on workplace rights, rules and best practice."

A statement from Broxtowe Borough Council said: "Cycle manufacturing in Broxtowe goes back to at least 1878 and has been a key part of the borough's heritage.

"Therefore, the council are committed to taking any action that could maintain the legacy of the brand in the local area and bring economic activity to hard-pressed areas like Eastwood."

Accell's administrators were approached for comment by the LDRS.

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