Much loved dealership completely cleared out after sudden closure – with second site suffering similar fate weeks later
A HUGELY popular motorcycle dealership has been completely cleared out following their sudden closure.
Blade Motorcycle Group announced last month that its Swindon branch, located on Elgin Drive, had been shut down for good.
In mid-January, we reported how the motorcycle shop, owned by the Heritage Automotive Group, had announced its closure after it became “unfeasible to continue” following “ongoing financial challenges”.
Established in 1995, the dealership represented eight motorcycle brands, including Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Suzuki, Triumph, and Yamaha.
It also provided servicing to many of the brands mentioned above.
In a statement, a spokesperson said: “We want to let you know that Blade Motorcycles Swindon has now closed.
“This decision was not made lightly, while our passion for motorcycles and our dedication to serving you remain unwavering, the ongoing financial challenges of maintaining the Swindon site have made it unfeasible to continue.
“We understand this news may be unexpected, and we truly appreciate your understanding.”
Since this message, the Swindon unit has been completely stripped with all traces of Blade Motorcycles removed.
But now, just weeks later, the company has suffered a new blow after its Oxford Harley-Davidson branch in Abingdon closed down as well, as confirmed in a report by Visordown.
This has sent ripples through the bike community on social media, with many customers left bitterly disappointed.
One wrote: “Sad times, so unique walking around all the different makes. Wish you better times on your other sites.”
Another commented: “Sad news for you and us.”
A third said: “Was this down to the rent again as with every other business in Swindon?”
Following the closure of the Oxford site, the Blade Group will continue with five dealerships across the UK – including two in Cheltenham.
The Cheltenham office will receive all orders currently made by customers at the Oxford dealership.
In a statement, Blade Group also confirmed that all of its “planned activities” linked to the Oxford dealer for 2025 will go ahead.
This comes as Suzuki announced it’s axing thirty dealerships across the UK in a huge cull.
The huge cutback will see the company’s number of dealerships drop from 129 to around 100.
The beloved Japanese brand broke the news to affected retailers in January – with UK boss David Kateley believed to have called every dealer individually.
Last year, Suzuki announced plans to cull four of its best-loved motors, Ignis, Jimny LCV, Swace, and the Swift Sport – as it paved the way for its first EV model.
Just before Christmas, bosses announced that the Swift Sport would be celebrated with a Final Edition model before being scrapped.
Production of the standard Swift Sport will cease this month.