They were the must-have bike of the 1970s and 80s, and the machine every kid begged for at Christmas. But now the legendary firm behind them has been plunged into administration. And it has sparked a wave of nostalgia for a British name that once ruled the pavement.
Raleigh, the Nottingham bike maker founded 139 years ago in 1887, has been placed into administration by its Dutch owner, the Accell Group, and faces probable closure. Paddy McGuinness used his Radio 2 show to remember the machine that started it all for him. Paddy said: "My first Raleigh bike was a Raleigh Boxer little thing, bright yellow. It was like a mini Grifter. I thought I was king of the streets."
In 2024 the Bolton presenter cycled 300 miles from Wales to Scotland on a Chopper for Children in Need, raising £8.8m for the charity. He said: "As a kid, I didn't have much and used to be really jealous of my mates riding around on those bikes.”
View 5 Images
Bob Monkhouse and Anne Aston with programme prizes, including a Raleigh Chopper bike 'The Golden Shot' TV Show UK - 1970(Image: ITV/Shutterstock)
