Sheffield businesses rocked by £30,000 e-scooter theft reveals ambitious plans for the future

Owner of Yorkshire Electric Scooters, Gordon Riley, 49, had not been gone for ten minutes after closing for the day before thieves allegedly struck at the Attercliffe-based shop on 13 November, stealing tens of thousands worth of electric scooters and leaving his business’ future up in the air.

Derbyshire-based Gordon said: “The insurance claim went through. It wasn’t as much as I anticipated but it keeps us in business.

"The support was incredible, I’ve had over 200 people contact me.”

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Gordon started the business with redundancy money from his previous job at Hewlett-Packard.

He added: “I’m really humbled at everybody coming forward with information.”

New security measures are in place and the shop’s first member of staff started work last week. Electric bikes will also soon be available at the store.

Gordon said: “We’re hoping we’re going to be busy over Christmas.

"I’ve done quite a bit of advertising and people know a lot more about us now.”

Despite their increasing popularity, it is still illegal to ride e-scooters on public land. But trials are taking place to see how safe they are and measure the potential impact on road users.

Gordon said: “We’re hoping to open the North’s first riding academy so we can have educated and safe riders on the road and hopefully get rid of this reputation it has of irresponsibility.

"When we first put our business plan together it was for commuters and students. We’re looking to get it more mainstream and waiting for the laws to change.”

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.