Mountain biking enthusiast reveals plans for 46-acre bike park in Cumbria

A £35k biking facility is set to open in Cumbria after securing a loan through the government’s national £310m Start Up Loans programme.

The owner of Gnar Bike Park, Ben Eggleston, plans to use a personal investment of £29k and £6,500 secured through Business Finance Solutions, the North West delivery partner of Start Up Loans scheme, to bring his idea for a 46-acre mountain bike training facility to fruition.

Once up and running, Gnar will offer bike hire services and daily tickets for customers looking to ride the trails. Additionally, the company will provide servicing and mechanical expertise, training events, coaching courses and parts and retail sales.

The Start Up Loaning cash will be used to cover the cost of the groundwork machinery that will complete Gnar’s track and access road.

In the future, Ben intends to expand the business further by establishing a mountain bike racing league, new on-site food and drink outlets and woodland cabin accommodation.

Commenting on the launch, he said: “This support from BFS has enabled me to be able to build on a 30-year passion for mountain biking and to create an incredible leisure facility in the beautiful Cumbrian countryside.

“Gnar will be the the only UK bike park to offer an American style riding experience on trails that will allow visitors to enjoy and improve their mountain biking experience.”

He continued: “Cycling is continuing to grow in popularity with all ages and we and the team at BFS can see that the size and scale of the project creates huge potential to expand the park’s services and facilities in the coming years.”

Before Gnar Bike Park, Ben worked at Centre Parcs Whinfell Forest as the head of the holiday site’s Cycle Centre.

Alex Mearns, a loan officer with Business Finance Solutions, said: “Cycling and mountain biking in particular has enjoyed a real renaissance in this country, becoming a way of life for millions of people.

“Indeed, we are seeing a growing number of cycling related businesses coming to us for finance to support that trend – from a cycle themed café to this great outdoor facility.”

Alex added: “Ben has both the passion and the expertise to make Gnar a huge success and at BFS we have been delighted to support a venture with such growth potential that looks set to become a great addition to the Cumbrian leisure industry.”

Business Finance Solutions, a lending partner of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, is part of the Manchester Growth Company.