The company was bought by a Netherlands-based firm in 2012.

13:00, Thu, Aug 6, 2026 Updated: 13:01, Thu, Aug 6, 2026

bike maker

The company was 139-year-old. (Image: Joseph Raynor/ Nottingham Post)

The company behind a Nottinghamshire-based bikemaker, which was founded 139 years ago, has filed to appoint administrators.

The boss of owner Accell Group, the company that owned Raleigh, said it was a "deeply sad and frustrating situation."

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Accell UK and Ireland, part of Netherlands-based Accell Group, filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators as the wider group kickstarted insolvency proceedings. The boss of Accell said that it had “tirelessly explored” every option for the future of the cycling business.

The company bought Raleigh in 2012 for around 100 million US dollars (£74 million), adding to its roster of bike brands throughout Europe, including Haibike, Winora and Ghost. Raleigh was founded in Nottingham in 1887 and was well-known for its Chopper model, which featured extended handlebars and is now part of its “retro” range.

It no longer manufactures bikes from Nottingham and its head office has moved to Eastwood, Nottinghamshire, while the company has shifted to selling electric bikes under Accell’s ownership.

Accell went through a restructuring in February, securing additional funding from shareholders and lenders and reducing debts. The company has now initiated insolvency proceedings in the Netherlands.

Accell’s chief executive Jonas Nilsson said: “This is a deeply sad and frustrating situation given all the hard work and everything we have achieved, with the support of shareholders and lenders, to restructure Accell’s operations and finances.

“It is an especially difficult moment for our employees, creditors, customers, suppliers, and partners.

“Every realistic option for the future of the business has been tirelessly explored, and none have resulted in a solution to continue the Group in its current form.

“Our immediate focus is to support an orderly process, provide clarity wherever possible, and work with the relevant court-appointed administrators to preserve viable activities and employment where circumstances allow.”