Shopping

The best news is that it’s affordable. Husband-and-wife team Tom Morris and Sian Emmison have just opened up a shop in Islington’s Arlington Way (tucked behind Sadler’s Wells) specialising in old-fashioned city bikes – sourced from the UK, USA and, mainly, Holland – including its own eponymous bicycle brand. Having established Bobbin in the summer of 2007, the artists realised the concept was an instant hit: a certain tribe of London cyclists was crying out for the sturdy but classic city bicycles at good prices and soon the pair were doing a roaring trade through their website and Clerkenwell studio, selling hundreds in the first year of business. Now, you can lust over the fine selection of the classic bicycles, from just £230 for a Bobbin ‘play bike’ to the more stylised Dutch Gazelles for £430, in the compact new shop decorated with quirky line drawings of customers. Many models are unisex and most styles arrive in an eye-catching range of shades, from poppy red to grass green. Chic accessories also feature including rain ponchos (£38), old-fashioned bicycle horns (from £5) and Bern helmets (£40). Bobbin also offer a test-drive service for customers – make sure you book an appointment a few days in advance, as they’re in high demand.
Bobbin Bicycles, 19 Arlington Way, EC1R IUY (0207 253 1058/www.bobbinbicycles.co.uk). Angel tube. Tue-Fri 11am-7pm, Sat 11-6pm.
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