EXPLORING THE REAL STREETS OF BELFAST

From 1 October 1973, the Northern Ireland Fire Brigade, under the administration of the Northern Ireland Fire Authority, became the one amalgamated Fire Brigade for the whole of Northern Ireland, thus consigning the Belfast Fire Brigade along with the 3 other Northern Ireland fire brigades to the pages of history. George Morrison, who previously held the position of Fire Force Commander of the Northern Ireland Fire Authority, became the first Chief Fire Officer of the Northern Ireland Fire Brigade (NIFB).

I just noticed that one of the fire engines was supplied by Browns a company that I had not heard of before.

Here is how the company described themselves a few years ago:

“Where would we be without the wheel! Ten thousand years of human achievement are encapsulated in one simple concept. At Browns Coachworks Ltd, we do not try to re-invent the wheel, but we use our experience to adapt and develop it to meet the changing needs of our customers throughout the world. Our family have been coachbuilders in Ireland for more than five generations and we have been keeping our customers’ wheels in motion for over 150 years. This means that today we have an enviable reputation for the design and quality of our modern coachworks and by combining our past heritage with contemporary design, we are able to offer our customers the very best in bespoke vehicle engineering solutions. So whether a public authority, a private/public company or a discerning enthusiast, Browns Coachworks can deliver the vehicle for your needs.”


JUNE 2010:

BROWNS Coachworks is to expand its workforce and manufacturing complex at Moira Road, Lisburn in response to an influx of orders worth £15m from sources throughout the United Kingdom. Orders from Sellafield Nuclear Power Station, Merryside Fire and Bedfordshire & Lutton Fire & Rescue Service are among the present orders.

Brian Brown, Managing Director, said: "We have a very healthy order book of potentially 15 million which should take the company through until 2012. With many contracts still to be awarded I am very confident more orders will come our way. My very dedicated staff and employees have worked tirelessly over the past two years in research and development of our life saving vehicles which now has given us the edge over our competitors."

16 October 2013 [BBC]

A County Antrim company that includes the Royal Family among its clients has gone into administration. Browns Coachworks Limited - a family business with a factory in Lisburn - has been operating for about 150 years. As well as being coach builders, it makes fire engines and horse boxes.

In 2009, the firm built a horse box vehicle for the Princess Royal, who had previously visited their premises on Moira Road. At the time its workforce was said to be about 60 people. The future is uncertain after administrators were appointed last week, but the company remains open.