An independent café that had become a huge hit with cyclists has announced its shock closure.
Apus Peak was based close to the entrance of the historic Tatton Park in Knutsford and had become a popular hotspot for walkers, families and cyclists. The cycle café was launched in August 2021 by husband and wife team Kay and Craig Tierney, spurred on by more people getting into cycling, walks and the great outdoors during lockdown.
But the owners made a shock announcement on Instagram over the weekend saying that they had "closed its doors and will miss you all". As of Sunday, the large café and cycle shop in Knutsford lay completely empty inside except for the café furniture.
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The Instagram post said: "Knutsford, fellow cyclists and all the beautiful people we have met along the way... Apus Peak has closed its doors and we will miss you all.
It signed off saying: "Thanks for the amazing memories". No further explanation was given for the closure.
The post sparked a huge outpouring from "gutted" cyclists and customers who had regarded it an essential part of Knutsford life. Former Knutsford Mayor, councillor Andrew Malloy, even likened it to a "bereavement".
He wrote: "It felt like a bereavement when I heard Apus Peak had closed. I have spent so much time there over the last few years.
"Will miss the place dearly. I wish you all the best for the future."
Also posting on Instagram, jcthirteen said: "More than gutted to hear this news. Thank you for being there and for what you did so well, superb environment and concept on many levels."
23Frazer added: "I'm devastated to be reading this, you provided a real treat which we normally only get to read about in Cyclist." Tariq Razzaq wrote: "Really sorry to hear... You were the light in Knutsford for the cyclists."
The café and cycle hub was opened in the large former Laura Ashley store on Tatton Street, just yards from the main town entrance into the vast Tatton Park country estate. It had become a go-to stop off for those wanting coffee, cake or a slice of home-made pizza when visiting the National Trust park from this side of Knutsford and also offered bike services.
The café was borne out of the Tierneys' passion for cycling, and offered services and bike repairs as well as exercise classes alongside the main café space with home-baked cakes, hot drinks and a bar menu. They also installed a pizza oven to make a daily menu of freshly-prepared hot treats for customers too.
Kay had told the MEN last year the motivation behind launching the cafe, which was launched in August 2021 with support from landlord Bruntwood Works.
She said: "I wanted to make people feel comfortable not only in the surroundings, but comfortable around sport.
"We wanted to create somewhere that people feel relaxed but where the coffee and service was spot on, but where they're encouraged to try out cycling. To encourage people even after lockdown to keep on exercising."
The MEN has contacted the Tierneys and Bruntwood Works for further comment about the closure.
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