‘It has really shown me how kind humans can be to one another,’ said cycle-loving owner Tom Overton
LOYAL customers of The Bike Lock in Windsor Place have been offering support after it suffered two break-ins in a month.
The cafe and bike storage centre has received cash, home-made cakes, and messages from well-wishers.
In the two break-ins, thieves smashed through the shop’s lower windows, stealing hundreds of pounds from the cash register and several bottles of wine; but they failed to get through to the secure bike storage space.
Owner Tom Overton has had to pay £2,000 for window repairs and has increased security by installing internal CCTV motion sensors and external floodlights.
But loyal customers stepped forward in solidarity. One regular, an elderly woman, dropped off £20 to contribute towards the window repairs. Another had already been giving donations for four months so Tom’s staff could enjoy some Christmas presents. They have since become a close friend of the team.
“Everyone has been so nice about it, and I know that Tom was really torn up about the break-in, but everyone has been really great,” said 23-year-old staff member Alice Daniels.
After the first break-in on New Year’s Eve, a staff member from the nearby Big Moose cafe showed up at the café first thing in the morning to offer a hug and a tin of cakes, with a handwritten note that read “Thinking of you”.
“These moments remind us why we do this, if we didn’t have the people, we wouldn’t be where we are, it’s what makes us continue to grow,” said Tom.
The father of two teaches a masters course at the University of South Wales and spends the rest of his time at The Bike Lock, so the break-ins have been a blow for him.
“It’s hard to sleep at night not knowing if it will be broken into or not, but after last week’s break-in I had a call at four in the morning to let me know that it had happened,” he said.
Tom, 52, from Solihull, founded the social enterprise, with over 50 bike storage spaces, an events room, showering facilities and study spaces; in 2022 to provide a welcoming hub for cyclists in Cardiff city centre.
“Cardiff already has a relatively high bike crime rate and level of pollution, so if I can provide a safe space for bikes and promote being active, then it could help make the city safer and healthier,” he said.
Tom has cycled his whole life, professionally and as a hobby, and cycles to Queen’s Street markets every morning to pick up the cafe’s fresh produce for the day.
“I come here all the time to do some studying, I have even been to a church event that was held here, and everyone has always been so kind, chatty and welcoming,” said regular customer Grace Prangley.
“We aren’t driven by money, we think, how can we look after you and help you, so that you will want to come back, to help our business and use our space,” said Tom.
After the most recent break-in, Tom expressed his sympathy for the thieves, recognising the struggle that some people may go through to get money.
“I want to help people. But I don’t want it to become a prison. The glass windows we have are welcoming – it represents who we are. Wooden boards or shutters would project a negative picture,” said Tom.
For us, it’s all about the people – if you are homeless or lonely or just sad, we will grab you a coffee and we will look after you, said Tom.
