Sudbury business owner’s bike repair side gig DBG Cycle Repairs takes on life of its own

A solo bicycle repairs service – set up originally as a side project to another business – has taken on a life of its own, with both ventures now flourishing side by side.

DBG Cycle Repairs, in Sudbury, has been ramping up its client intake in recent weeks, as demand rises with the increase in cycling due to the warming weather.

Dorrien Bree, who founded the business with Sharon Buckler, is no stranger to the trade, with more than 20 years of experience repairing and servicing bikes.

However, it was only last year that he began formally operating at Stour Valley Business Centre – at the same location as his other venture, DB Gunstocks.

Dorrien explained that, due to the complexity of securing the licences for that business, which makes parts for air rifles and pistols, he needed a way to supplement its income.

“I’m a qualified cycle technician and I’ve been doing it since 2004,” he said. “It was always a sporadic background job.

“When we started the gunstock business last year, because of the lengthy delays for our firearms licence application, we breathed new life into the cycle repairs.

“I had a good existing reputation anyway and I know a lot of people at Sudbury Cycle Club, so the cycle repair business has become a monster of its own.”

Dorrien stated that the gunstocks business was also building momentum, after obtaining its registered firearms dealer (RFD) licence.

Although only a two-person operation, with no plans to add more staff, he is confident both ventures will be able to co-exist because of their seasonal nature.

“We expect the cycle repairs to take off in the summer and then the gunstocks business will take over in the winter,” Dorrien said.

“They are suited to the two halves of the year, so we think it will work well like that.”

DBG Cycle Repairs and DB Gunstocks are open to customers by appointment only – search either name on Facebook to learn more.

They also have a stall at Sudbury market on the first and third Thursdays of each month.