Michael Campbell spent more than 30 years as a pastry chef, creating the delicious and delicate patisserie and desserts that ended up on the plates of diners at London's high end hotels and restaurants.

But the Richmond father-of-two has hung up his chef's hat and plunged into an entirely new venture as a mobile bicycle mechanic.

The pandemic put an end to Michael's pastry chef days, and prompted him to branch out into something new.

"I worked at Honoré Patisserie in Isleworth," he explains.

"We supplied all the main hotels, casinos and restaurants in central London, as well as sporting events such as Goodwood and events at the Arsenal Emirates stadium."

But when the pandemic took hold, the thriving trade in posh pastries died, and in February Michael was made redundant.

Find Mike on our online business directory here.

"The whole time I was a chef I had been fixing people's bikes. I would do it in my lunch hour, I was bike mad.

"Everyone I knew said 'Why don't you set up as a business?'"

Rather than rent a workshop, Michael, who lives in Kilmorey Road, St Margarets, had the idea of setting up as a mobile service.

He used his redundancy money to buy a van, creating a mini workshop in the back of the vehicle.

"So I can go around to people's homes and fix up the bikes in their front garden or the back of the van.

Instead of having to take your bike to a shop or workshop and leave it, you have the convenience of the mechanic coming to you."

He will do everything from mend a puncture to strip down and rebuild a bike from scratch.

During lockdown, Michael's business got off to a flying start.

"More and more people have dusted off their old bikes from the garage and tried to get back on them.

"It seems that England has become a bit bike crazy. We are becoming a nation of cyclists.

"Bike shops have sold out of bikes and sold out of parts and there is a four week way list in many just to get your bike fixed.

"That's where I come in because I can go round the next day."

One couple had kept their bikes under cover in their back garden for 15 years.

"I was wondering if I could help them but after two hours they were on their bikes riding," Michael said.

Fix, don't throw away

Michael has a clear philosophy - to fix things up whenever possible rather than replace them.

"I know some people just replace parts. I am much more inclined to adjust, clean up and repair to get more life out of bike parts.

"I would rather fix a puncture in an inner tube than throw it away.

"Obviously cycling is more environmentally friendly than cars. But even cycling can be a lot more sustainable."

Read more: What the £2 billion 'walking and cycling revolution' means for Richmond

Michael is confident there is a good business in bikes for the forseeable future.

"I think people now are way more hesitant to use public transport and I think they are going to get into cycling.

"It's just fun. You can ride to work and it's more enjoyable.

"A little bit of exercise a day you get the endorphins. There is a feelgood factor, which you simply don't get on a train or the tube."

[i]We have produced features with all of these well-known faces and businesses in Richmond. Click the links below to read them.

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The newsreaders of Richmond Talking Newspaper

Artisan stallholders at Duck Pond Market

Police chief Sally Benatar on her love for the job

Richmond Nub News aims to support every part of the community – from cafes and shops, individuals and charities, clubs and sports teams.

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