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Convent Close, WOLVERHAMPTON, WV2 4QX

Wolverhampton is almost deserted due to lockdown regulations and closed shops during the coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic.

There are fewer and fewer "real" bike shops about these days and this is one of the very best. Don't be misled by the modest frontage; the shop is spacious and is absolutely crammed with equipment at all price levels. The mannequin clothed in occasionally varying cycling gear has been a feature of Snow Hill for many years, and he is joined at present by a Fred Williams tandem. Fred was a professional road racer in the 1940s and 1950s. The service provided by this shop's enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff is outstanding in every way (but expect some bike banter when they get to know you!). I recommend it 100%. http://www.fwcycles.co.uk/ No I haven't been paid to say all that! The shop is at No 37, part of a Grade II listed row of Georgian buildings originally built in the mid-late 18th century as three storey town houses. http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-378575-36-and-37-wolverhampton

This top class bicycle shop is in Snow Hill. I have found the service and everything about this surprisingly well stocked business (it is not as small as its frontage suggests) of the highest quality. The shop is at No 37, part of a Grade II listed row of Georgian buildings originally built in the mid-late 18th century as three storey town houses. http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-378575-36-and-37-wolverhampton

Wolverhampton is almost deserted due to lockdown regulations and closed shops during the coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic.

The last of the real bike shops is now "by appointment only". Fred(dy)'s has been trading since 1950, but current retail conditions make it unviable to operate a full time open fully stocked fully staffed real bicycle business. I bought my last bike here, and they had no trouble matching an online price and I had some discount on accessories too! What is missed is the mannequin who always stood outside the door in various brands of cycling gear. https://www.fwcycles.co.uk/ Image] This building and others off to the left are Grade II listed, and date from the mid-18th century. Image]

The last of the real bike shops is now "by appointment only". Fred(dy)'s has been trading since 1950, but current retail conditions make it unviable to operate a full time open fully stocked fully staffed real bicycle business. I bought my last bike here, and they had no trouble matching an online price and I had some discount on accessories too! What is missed is the mannequin who always stood outside the door in various brands of cycling gear. Image] https://www.fwcycles.co.uk/ This building and others off to the left are Grade II listed, and date from the mid-18th century. Image]

Grade II listed. Nos 28-37 (consecutive) Snow Hill. No 37 (Williams) is the green fronted one at the end. The blue "Eurobeauty" is at No 32. Built originally as a row of three storey town houses, probably in the 1750s, they were later transformed into shops. By 1996 they were in a dangerous state of dilapidation, only two still being occupied. A complicated and dedicated programme of restoration resulted in the re-opening (by Lord Montagu) in 2000, and immediate re-occupation by businesses. Please read the full story here: http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/listed/snowhill.htm

Off to the left, the whole Georgian row has been restored (1996-2000), is occupied, and is Grade II listed as a result. Presumably these two were considered too far gone or altered to include. Both were originally fne Georgian town houses (middle to late 18th century). Later the ground floors were converted to shops and (the corner one) a coaching inn (The Coach and Horses - then renamed The Pied Bull). This was without its top floor and roof for many years, but rebuilding and renovation is now under way, though this appears to have been suspended. Above the fish bar, just the windows seem to have been made secure. I look forward to a pair of smart properties to photograph in 2013 or 2014, which will complete the repairs in Snow Hill. Past Temple Street is the boarded up Netto store (closed circa 2008) which was formerly Rackhams until they pulled out in the 1980s. The upper floors were occupied by the city archives department until 2009.