Originally Posted by Makoa
Try to go for the LBS if you can. They will be your friend for the life of the bike, and longer. They might even have used or new-old bikes in stock for great prices.
Can you buy used bikes from your LBS in England?
In the USA, the local bike shops usually have good used bikes that they get on trade-in that you can buy for very reasonable prices. Often, the shops will offer warrantees and service on the used bikes they sell.