Raleigh

Returning to England from abroad, Sir Frank Bowden was informed by his doctor that he was ill and may only last 6 months unless he took up exercise. His doctor recommended he take up cycling and Sir Frank Bowden purchased a bike from a small firm of cycle makers on Raleigh Street in Nottingham. Within a short period Sir Frank Bowden had recovered and became increasingly interested in cycling. Impressed with his bike, Sir Frank Bowden bought an interest in the company who made it which at the time was producing three bikes a week. In December 1888 The Raleigh Cycle Company was founded as a limited liability private company. It grew rapidly and within a few years was a large public company capitalised at £100,000 equivalent to about £5m today.