A Lake District bike hire shop plans to expand, thanks to the growing demand for e-bikes.
Forestry England has applied to the Lake District National Park Authority for planning permission to extend the building at Grizedale Bike Hire in Ambleside to provide additional space for the storage of e-bikes and an indoor space where customers can be briefed.
A planning statement says: “The current site constraints are that with the developments in e bike technology the demand to hire these has grown significantly.
“Because of the need to charge these bikes the current facility is not suitable for the size of fleet required by current and future tenants. In addition, it will provide an indoor space where customers can be briefed at the start of their hire experience in times of poor weather.
“The design also responds to Forestry England’s’ aim to attract and encourage those less active visitors who might be encouraged to explore more of the forest through the aid that an e-bike provides.”
Planning documents said the proposed extension was set at a right angle to the existing building with the aim of creating a sense of enclosure around a three-sided courtyard.
