As 2007 has rolled on, we’ve felt increasingly discomfited. Something was missing, some regular occurence that we’ve grown used to has become wayward. But we couldn’t put our finger on it until a press release dropped into the Inbox Of Doom this morning and we suddenly realised that – shock! – not-quite-ubiquitous-yet bike shop chain Evans Cycles hadn’t opened any new stores for over two months!

This was clearly just a blip, though, for the latest announcement is that the Evans troops are tightening their grip on the north of England with the opening of a second store in Manchester. The new 3,000sq ft store, opening on 9 November, is located in Manchester’s new, yet strangely-named, Chill Factore centre.

In a similar vein to Xscape and the like, Chill Factore is based around an indoor real-snow ski slope – this one is, apparently, the UK’s “longest and widest” (which must surely make it simply the biggest, we think) indoor slope at 180m long and 100m wide. The slope includes two beginners’ areas, a luge track and children’s snow play area. Plus, of course, a bunch of restaurants and shops in the “Alpine Village”.

“Chill Factore is an exciting destination and it’s great to be part of it ” says Store Manager Marc Theunissen. “Our product range really complements the adrenaline filled atmosphere of the centre. We’ve got an exciting store layout with the latest mountain and road bikes, plus plenty of bikes for the family as well.”

The new Evans store will be open seven days a week, and until 8pm on weekdays. All the usual workshop facilities will be available as well as mountain and road bikes, accessories and clothing. And there’ll be store opening offers and discounts – have a look at www.evanscycles.com/chillfactore for details.