Evans Cycles chief executive Andy King has left the business after just 18 months in the saddle.

According to the Press Association, the cycling retailer ousted King after he failed to meet business targets.

King was only handed the role in November 2016 and told Retail Week last July that he was focusing on improving product ranges, enhancing the customer experience and driving its multichannel expertise in a bid to pump up profits.

The former Dobbies Garden Centres boss was drafted in to replace Nick Wilkinson, who had presided over a slump in operating profit in its 2015/16 financial year.

Accounts filed at Companies House revealed operating profit fell to £2.2m in the year to October 29, 2016, down from £4m the prior year.

However, it is thought that King has struggled to rejuvenate the retailer’s fortunes, prompting owner ECI Partners to replace him with restructuring expert Alan Fort on an interim basis.

Evans Cycles said: “After leading Evans Cycles for the last 17 months, the decision has been made that Andy King will step down as CEO of the business.

“The board and the business’ main shareholder, ECI Partners, remain excited by the many opportunities that exist for the business to further consolidate its unique position as the leading independent specialist bike retailer and are focused on further enhancing Evans’ multi-channel proposition to cyclists across the UK.”

Fort previously spent four years as chief restructuring officer at Jessops before taking on a similar role at beds specialist Dreams.

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