Published October 16th, 2009
Brompton’s founder receives the Prince Phillip Designers Prize 2009
Andrew Ritchie the founder of Brentford based Brompton bicycles has received the Prince Phillip Designers Prize 2009. Brentford ward councillor Andrew Dakers who has used a Brompton as his main mode of transport for over four years (see photo) has sent Mr Ritchie a message of congratulations.
Andrew Ritchie has dedicated himself to perfecting the design of a single product – the Brompton folding bicycle. In the process, he has made it an international success story and built a business which has grown by 25% for the last three years. The Brompton sells in more than 30 countries, contributing to sustainable transport by getting riders out of their cars.
Its success is based on the ingenuity of its folding mechanism, its balance between functionality, durability and comfort, and a consistent 20-year commitment by Andrew to refining the product and its 1,200 parts – many of which are unique to Brompton. The business still dedicates 50% of management resource to design and development to keep itself ahead of growing competition in the fast-evolving folding bicycle market.
Published October 14th, 2009
Fire safety update - Brentford Towers
After the initial scare of the BBC News reports, the good news is that barely any of the concerns they raised turned out to be true. The scare was prompted by Hounslow Homes unfortunately responding the BBC’s Freedom of Information (FOI) request incorrectly. Hounslow Homes have now improved their procedures to stop this happening in future and have assured local councillors that fire risk assessments and checks are being undertaken regularly.
Andrew is now ensuring that work is taken on the following issues:
- all doors to residential properties are fire proof, smoke alarms in individual flats are mains powered with battery back-up - Hounslow Homes, the Fire Service and local councillors need residents support in making sure this work can be done;
- fire safety signage is improved in communal areas and in flats;
- ‘gas risers’ are changed to electric facilities for cooking by National Grid.
The webcast of the scrutiny meeting on Wednesday 14 October where Hounslow Homes and the Fire service answered questions, will be online shortly. The general conclusion of our investigations however is that fire safety is well managed in the Towers!
