Bob Jackson to close after all

Heard some disturbing news on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2367389 ... 3886003184

Damn shame........

Re: Bob Jackson possibly closing down? I hope not...

What does it say? It's a private group so I can't see.

They've had one of my frames for a respray since early August :cry:

Re: Bob Jackson possibly closing down? I hope not...

jimprince":2nqq4gtq said:

What does it say? It's a private group so I can't see.

They've had one of my frames for a respray since early August :cry:

Click to expand...

I’d give them a call if I were you..

Re: Bob Jackson possibly closing down? I hope not...

Ok thanks will do. You're right it's a damn shame, too few places like that left :-(

Re: Bob Jackson possibly closing down? I hope not...

That’s sad news if true?

Re:

i spoke to them about 2 weeks ago regarding a frame respray via my shop, they told me they currently were not taking any more frames on until the "to do" frames they have there have gone down a bit, they didn't mention anything and when i asked when i should send it up to them they aid call in a couple of months. i'll see what i can find out.

Re: Bob Jackson possibly closing down? I hope not...

Yep, it's on their website. A real shame as I was waiting for their backlog to clear so I could get a frame to them for respray.
Was also looking at getting myself a nice Olympus Road in 853. With Jackson's gone there's no one left who will build a steel frame for reasonable money.
Everyone else seems to charge a (comparative) fortune which I can kind of understand in the case of the very small volume "artisan" builders who do lots of fancy lug work or other individual touches and are usually custom built. However, others that are turning out standard frames like Jackson's and charge nearly double what they do are taking the mickey.
I was under the impression that Jackson's did contract work for other people (I know they definitely do paint for other builders) so I wonder what's going to happen there?

Mark.

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What a shame but I guess they can't go on working forever if there's no one to replace the old hands.

Re: Bob Jackson possibly closing down? I hope not...

They certainly used to paint for Orange or at least some of the specials... and also Ellis Briggs, plus a number of small independent frame builders..

I've been painting stuff for years.. and I looked closely at what they do and I couldn’t compete with their pricing. When you actually break it down into man hours the profit margin on frame re-sprays must have been super tight.

Re:

got a response this morning:-

Hi Jon, Yes it's true.

After 85 years of frame building & restorations Bob Jackson Cycles will be
closing it’s doors for the very last time
on the 18th December 2020, We are very much an ageing work force and over
the years have not been able to find
younger members of staff to train up and move forwards. After what has been
a very crazy year for all of us we have
decided it’s time to hang up our welding torches and spray guns for the last
time and enjoy some retirement while we can.

All current orders and work with us will be finished as promised, Any
customers who still need our services ( No Chrome Plating)
will need to have their frames with us by the 7th November, Frames after
this time will not be accepted .

On a personal note all at Bob Jackson Cycles now and in the past would like
to thank all our customers for their business
over the last 85 years, We are sorry it has come to this but nobody can stop
the passing of time and everyone is entitled to
enjoy a few years of retirement.

Thank You,
All At Bob Jackson Cycles