Cycle specialist from Newmains shortlisted for industry's top mechanic award
A bike repair specialist from Wishaw has been shortlisted for an industry award.
Connor Mooney, who runs Cairney Cycles in Newmains, has been at the forefront of a number of community cycling initiatives in North Lanarkshire over the last few years.
He launched his own bike repair business in 2020 after being told there was a three-month wait at Halfords, where he had previously worked.
Connor, 32, is now looking forward to the BikeBiz finals ceremony in Birmingham later this year, where he is in the running for the Bike Mechanic of the Year Award.
BikeBiz delivers trade information to the entire cycle industry and has been running for over 25 years. BikeBiz offers a Daily Newsletter, delivering breaking news direct to readers' inboxes and is the dominant site for trade readers and those with a professional interest in the cycling industry.
They cover everything from product updates to marketing messages and serious industry issues.
The Lanarkshire man will be joined in the finals by fellow Scottish entrants – FEL, a Scottish environmental charity, based in Forth Valley has been shortlisted for their cycle advocacy award, the winner will be decided by judges vote only, and Pedal Power in West Calder who are in for the Independent Bike Dealer of the Year Award.
Connor runs cycling repair programmes, teaching young people how to repair and maintain bikes.
His ambitions for a dedicated facility in the local area haven't yet been fulfilled due to a shortfall in funding required to get it off the ground, but he's hopeful that will happen in the future.
He said: 'I'm self-employed and I work in partnership with Newmains Community Trust but we don't have a facility there.
'If we're training young kids then there needs to be somewhere for them to work at.
'It is difficult, getting volunteers and people to support what we're trying to do, longer term. You've got to have a passion for it. But we're getting there.
'Things are going really well, all the work we're doing with the schools is really good. I do really like what I do.'
He hopes that his customers from over the years he's been in business will cast their votes for him.
'I had to put in a submission for the awards. It's exciting to be in the top six, on the shortlist. I'll be going down to Birmingham for the awards in October. It will be good for networking on the industry side of things.
'I'm trying to promote the Scottish entries in the awardsas well, a shout out to Pedal Power for being shortlisted in the Independent Bike Dealer of the Year award category, and FEL Scotland who are shortlisted for the Cycle Advocacy Award.'
*Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald Scotland
2 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Highland Fuels buys Carnegie Fuels in start of 'new chapter'
It said of its acquisition of Brechin-based Carnegie Fuels: 'This carefully considered partnership represents the coming together of two respected, values-led businesses with deep roots in the Scottish energy sector. 'The decision by the Carnegie family to entrust Highland Fuels with the future of the business follows an extensive sale process. Highland Fuels was selected as the preferred partner due to a strong cultural alignment, shared ethos, and a longstanding reputation for service excellence and community focus.' Highland Fuels became employee-owned in August 2023, and this played a key part in the deal, with the Carnegie Fuels leadership highlighting the importance of ensuring the employees of the Brechin-based business were "looked after" by a new owner. Commenting on behalf of Carnegie Fuels, Kevin Carnegie said: 'This [employee ownership] was a key factor in our decision. We wanted to ensure that our team, many of whom have been with us for years, are looked after not just today but into the future. Joining an employee-owned company like Highland Fuels gives them that stability and a real stake in what comes next.' Highland Fuels said: 'Carnegie Fuels has built a legacy of reliability, trust and local service - qualities that strongly reflect Highland Fuels' own values as a customer-centric and employee-focused company.' It added that, as part of the transaction, Carnegie Fuels would 'continue to operate under its established name and management structure', with Ryan Carnegie appointed as director and Kevin and Rosie Carnegie 'supporting a smooth transition'. Read more Highland Fuels describes itself as 'Scotland's leading independent fuel distributor', operating 11 depots, 16 petrol stations and a fleet of 50 road tankers serving the country. It has 260 employees based across operations which stretch from Lerwick in Shetland to Manchester. Stephen Rhodes, managing director of Highland Fuels, said: 'This is a very positive step for both businesses and for the communities we serve. We're honoured to be continuing the Carnegie legacy and welcoming the team into the Highland Fuels family. This partnership is built on shared values and a commitment to long-term success." He added: "This transaction lays a strong foundation for operational continuity and sustainable growth, delivered with a focus on people, communities, and service excellence. Highland Fuels and Carnegie Fuels share a deep-rooted commitment to professionalism, integrity and reliability. By uniting the strengths of the two companies customers can be confident in a trusted energy partner that is well equipped to meet Scotland's evolving energy needs - today and into the future.'
The Herald Scotland
2 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Drinks giant acquires stake in former football star's firm
The purchase of the majority stake in Innate-Essence is the latest diversification by Barr beyond its core fizzy drinks specialism, with Innate-Essence joining a portfolio which includes MOMA oat milk and Funkin, the cocktail puree and ready-to-drink brand. Read Scott Wright's story here Allan Dowie, left, and Benny Higgins. (Image: Wbg) A former bank chief and adviser to a First Minister has been appointed as chairman of a Scottish accountancy firm. Wbg has appointed Benny Higgins, the former Tesco Bank chief executive who advised Nicola Sturgeon on the new national investment bank, to the role. Currently chairman of Glasgow-based investment firm N4 Partners, whose seven-figure investment last year made it the majority shareholder of Wbg, Mr Higgins succeeds Lorna Jack as chairman of the accountancy firm. Having overseen a series of acquisitions, the opening of a new office network and the rebranding of the companies within the group structure to Wbg, Ms Jack, former chief executive at The Law Society for Scotland, current chairman of Highlands and Islands Airports, vice chair of Scottish Funding Council and honorary consul for the Netherlands in Scotland, steps back from her role as Wbg chair to become a member of N4's advisory board. Read Brian Donnelly's article here Ross County chairman sells three firms to Mitsui of Japan GEG and Ross County chairman Roy MacGregor, left, during a Scottish Cup fourth round match away to Hamilton Academical in January 2023, in Hamilton. (Image: Roddy Scott - SNS Group) The chairman of Ross County Football Club has sold off a significant chunk of his Highland business empire.
Glasgow Times
12 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Renewables and fossil fuels not ‘either-or', says Reeves after Trump comments
On a visit to Lossiemouth on the North Sea coast in Moray, the Chancellor described oil and gas as 'incredibly important for the UK and our energy security'. Her appearance in Scotland followed a five-day visit from the US president, who called on the UK Government to 'incentivise the drillers, fast'. Chancellor Rachel Reeves said 'oil and gas is going to play an important role in our energy mix for decades to come' (Jane Barlow/PA) Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social: 'North Sea oil is a treasure chest for the United Kingdom. 'The taxes are so high, however, that it makes no sense.' Asked whether she would 'unlock' the 'treasure chest', Ms Reeves told the PA news agency: 'Oil and gas are incredibly important for the UK and our energy security. 'And oil and gas is going to play an important role in our energy mix for decades to come. 'It's why, alongside the private sector, we're investing in carbon capture and storage, which is absolutely essential for supporting energy intensive industries. 'But it's not either-or. 'At the same time, we're investing in clean homegrown energy, including at Berwick Bank in Scotland, which will create thousands of new jobs and power millions of homes. 'And that's what we need to do to make sure that our economy has this energy security that we need, that we bring down bills and bring more good jobs to Scotland.' US President Donald Trump was critical of wind farms during his visit to Scotland (Jane Barlow/PA) Berwick Bank in the North Sea has this week received a green light from the Scottish Government. The proposed wind farm, off the coast of East Lothian, could add more than 4.1 gigawatts of capacity, which according to developer SSE Renewables is enough electricity to power more than six million homes annually. But Mr Trump criticised existing wind farms during his visit, when he said: 'When we go to Aberdeen, you'll see some of the ugliest windmills you've ever seen, the height of a 50-storey building.' Gesturing with his hands, he added: 'You can take 1,000 times more energy out of a hole in the ground this big.' Conservative shadow Scottish secretary Andrew Bowie has written to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, calling for a review of policies affecting the oil and gas industry. 'As President Trump has said, the UK's 'very high' tax on oil and gas companies is a deterrent to investment,' he wrote. Following his flying visit to Aberdeenshire with President Trump earlier this week, I've written to the Prime Minister urging him to heed the calls of all those he met on the EPL, overturn ban on licenses, ensure a future for our region & secure Britain's energy 👇 — Andrew Bowie (@AndrewBowie_MP) August 1, 2025 'The extension of the energy profits levy (EPL), coupled with uncertainty around future licensing and investment signals, has created a climate of instability that threatens jobs, innovation and the region's economic resilience. 'President Donald Trump's remarks during your visit – calling Aberdeen the 'oil capital of Europe' and urging the UK to 'bring it back' – reflect a sentiment shared by many in the region. 'May I urge you to consider the president's call to 'incentivise' domestic production of hydrocarbons? 'Oil and gas still have a vital role to play in our energy mix and economic future; British people would rather see the UK benefit from domestic exploration and drilling than import more from Norway and Qatar.' The West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine MP added: 'Will you urgently call a meeting in Downing Street to conduct the review in partnership with industry leaders, our world-leading supply chain business, and the local workforce to ensure a coherent and sustainable path forward?'
