Fowlers of Bristol

General information

Fowlers started life way back in 1926 when Frank and Alice Fowler first opened their cycle shop. The Great War had ended only eight years earlier and the General Strike was in full swing. The average wage was £2 a week and a new motorbike would set you back less than £20.

A few months after it was founded, Harold Fowler joined his parents, introducing motorcycles (which were his passion!) into the business and beginning a family dynasty which continues to this day.

Harold, or Harry as he was known to his peers, was a well-known scrambler (Moto-X rider) and Trials rider in the 1940s and 1950s, with many trophies to his name. A much-respected industry figure, he worked 6 days a week right up to his death in August 2006, aged 94. The dynasty is maintained with Harry’s daughter, Stephanie, who is now joint Managing Director, and his grand-daughter, Sasha, who is Fowlers’ Wholesale & Marketing Manager. “It’s a family business and very much the better for it”, Harry used to say.

Today, the company is a multi-franchise dealership selling, servicing and repairing new and used motorcycles and scooters as well as retailing clothing, helmets, accessories and spare parts. A separate division of the company is a trade-only distribution business, which all adds up to a multi-million pound company - a far cry from the embryo business established more than three-quarters of a century ago.

Although Fowlers is one of the longest established businesses in motorcycling, it is far from rooted in the past. Stephanie says, “Our loyal customers and friendly and knowledgeable staff are Fowlers’ greatest assets, which is why the company invests a huge amount of effort in continuously monitoring and improving customer service and thorough staff training. There is also a keen recognition of the need to keep abreast of the times and take advantage of the latest technologies and trends."

These philosophies are immediately evident when you visit the spectacular new showroom in Bristol. The cutting edge, dream dealership seems a very fitting way to take Fowlers’ vision to the next generation.