Bicycle manufacturer plans new Ashford factory

Brompton, the manufacturer of the folding bicycle, has taken the first step towards creating a revolutionary new factory in Ashford, Kent, by announcing its intention to submit a planning application for the development.

In order to support global demand, as cities move away from car culture to healthier walking and cycling strategies, Brompton has set its sights on a new home, situated between leading cycling cities of London and Paris.

The factory, which is being supported in principle by Ashford Borough Council, will enable Brompton’s future growth ambitions as they continue to transform the way that people move in cities around the world.

The new factory will be constructed on stilts over a floodplain, which will provide an opportunity to restore the wetland and promote walking and cycling for the local community in this unique, natural setting in the heart of Ashford.

The innovative scheme will house a production facility and will become the Brompton Global Headquarters, and by 2027 the company expects to employ over 1,500 staff.

Once fully operational, the proposed development will result in around 4,000 jobs being supported locally, including supply chain jobs, jobs supported by the spending of staff and the factory operation itself.

Will Butler-Adams OBE, CEO at Brompton said: “As we face climate change, combined with poor mental and physical health in our cities, where most of the world population live, we need to adapt. There has been a global realisation post-pandemic that we need to change how we live in our cities, to design them around the people that live in them, not the automobile. Brompton has a large part to play in supporting that transition, but we need to have more space to innovate and create the products of the future. London was the inspiration for the Brompton and our success is in large part is due to our diverse and skilled staff who continue to nurture and develop our company.”