E-BIKE FIRM SECURES DEAL FOR NEW FACOTRY

E-bike and e-scooter firm Beryl has secured £2m to develop a new factory in Dorset. The firm, which operates hire schemes in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, is looking to begin work on the manufacturing hub in Poole later this year.

It added that its plans, which have received the boost from Midlands-based finance firm Frontier Development Capital (FDC), would help it to create jobs and apprenticeships.

London-headquartered Beryl describes itself as the only micro-mobility transport device business in the UK that designs and builds its own technology.

The company said the facility would help put it “at the forefront” of research and development in the industry, providing greater capacity to work on “the next generation” of electric bikes and scooters.

Chief executive and founder Philip Ellis said the investment would be “crucial” in helping the firm to encourage more people to take up sustainable modes of transport.

Mr Ellis added: "We’re already recognised for meeting exceptional standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency, and the investment will also allow us to take this to the next level by boosting our UK manufacturing capacity and contributing to UK industry.”

FDC investment manager Andy Green added: “Beryl is a true UK success story and a business with a clear mission. The team has continued to adapt, growing from an accessories brand to a leading manufacturer and tech firm that’s meeting a real demand for sustainable travel across the country.”

Beryl’s micro vehicles have a self-contained suite of onboard sensors designed to alert the firm to the real-time status of the rider and the device. In addition to Dorset, the firm also operates hire schemes in Cornwall, Solent, the Isle of Wight, Norwich, Watford, Hereford, the Isle of Wight, Hackney and Greater Manchester.

The firm recently agreed a contract with Brighton and Hove City Council to deliver the city’s new bike and e-bike share scheme.

Since its first bike share scheme was launched in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole in April 2019, Beryl has facilitated almost three million journeys across nearly 10 million kilometres.