Triumph reveals new factory visitor centre

TRIUMPH today revealed its new visitor centre, a £4million development at its factory in Hinckley, Leicester.

The Triumph Factory Visitor Experience will be open to the public five days a week, free of charge, from November 1.

It features the world’s rarest collection of Triumphs according to the firm, including the TR6 ridden by Steve McQueen in The Great Escape.

There will be eight themed areas showcasing the British marque through its 115-year history and today, plus a ‘Triumph 1902 Café’ – named after the year the first Triumph motorcycle was produced.

Entry will be free to the public while guided tours will be £15 and held four days a week.

Triumph owner John Bloor made a rare public appearance to open the centre at a preview event this evening. 

He said simply: "I would like to thank you all for coming along this evening and please enjoy yourselves. Thank you very, very much."

He was welcomed on stage by his son Nick Bloor, Triumph's CEO, who said: "Together we now have this great pleasure to officially open the new Triumph Factory Visitor Experience."

Triumph brand manager Miles Perkins said the opening of the centre marked a “pivotal year” for Triumph, in which it had signed a deal to supply engines for Moto2 from 2019.

He also pointed to record sales growth and a new partnership to build mid-capacity bikes with Indian firm Bajaj, the world's third largest motorcycle manufacturer.

Triumph said in a press release: ‘Triumph Motorcycles has opened the doors to an immersive new Visitor Centre that will allow fans to go behind-the-scenes and journey through a 115 years of motorcycling excellence.

‘Based at the brand’s headquarters and UK manufacturing facilities in Hinckley, Leicestershire it is set to open on 1 November. The Triumph Factory Experience is free to visit and will showcase an exclusive collection of never-before-seen exhibits centred around the design, engineering and manufacture of Triumph’s most iconic models.

‘Among the most exciting exhibits will be the most famous movie Triumph of all time – the Triumph Bonneville on which Steve McQueen attempted to jump the border fence in The Great Escape, which has been lovingly restored to working order.

‘Elsewhere, the two-wheeled stars from road, track and screen include the very first Triumph No1 from 1902, the Speed Triple ridden by Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible 2 and the latest race engine prototype for the 2019 Moto2TM championship.

‘Visitors will be able to book a guided tour of the Hinckley factory, which is at the heart of motorcycle manufacturing in the UK and is the spiritual home of Triumph. This extensive behind the scenes tour of the engineering and manufacturing facilities will give an unprecedented insight into Triumph’s unique and leading approach to designing and building motorcycles.’

Paul Stroud, Triumph’s Chief Commercial Officer, said: “We are very proud and excited to be able to invite Triumph and motorcycling fans from around the world to come and experience our brand first-hand, here at the factory where every Triumph starts its life.

“With so many important and rare bikes on display, the Visitor Experience will be a must for motorcycle and movie fans alike, but also an opportunity to help us celebrate our proud heritage and our passion for building great motorcycles. We hope this rewards and inspires every fan of the brand, and ignites a love for Triumph in a whole new generation.’’