A PARALYMPIAN and a government start-up scheme are backing a traditional bike business in Flixton.

That Tiny Bike Shop, on Carrington Road, is owned by Darren Lea-Grime and sells a range of new and used bikes as well as parts and accessories.

The shop, which is already a favourite of Paralympian cyclists including Jon-Allan Butterworth, has been able to open thanks to funding from the government's national start-up programme.

Darren has already secured a number of local contracts for his store servicing fleets of school and club bikes and he is planning to run workshops and classes for basic bike maintenance and repairs.

Paralympian cyclist and customer Jon-Allan Butterworth said: “This is a lovely little shop, with a great look and positive professional approach.

"Watching Darren deal with customers reminds you that the traditional approach to customer service is what smaller independent shops is all about."

The loan came from Business Finance Solutions (BFS), the North West delivery partner of the government’s national £310m Start Up Loans programme and a lending partner of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

Darren said: "Without the loan and support from BFS That Tiny Bike Shop simply would not be here.

"I’m investing my own savings into the new venture too but I needed the extra funds to make sure the shop was fitted out properly and that we had the right kind of stock that we know people are crying out for.

"What we want to do with our new shop is to go back to basics and help people to find and maintain the ideal bike for them."

Before starting the business, Darren worked within learning disability services for 13 years before training as a mechanic before going on to work in bike shops and on cycles for Sport Trafford and members of the British Paralympic squad.

He decided to set up the shop because the large cycling shops mainly focused on higher end bikes whilst abandoning the cheaper second hand bike which people often use to get into cycling.