FWP's historic home captured by popular artist

01 Aug 2024

FWP Artist

A popular Lancashire artist has created a striking image of a historic building in Preston city centre to celebrate its remarkable story.

David Robinson has gained a growing reputation for his stunning illustrations of Lancashire landmarks and famous people.

His latest work features no7 Ribblesdale Place, in Preston’s Winckley Square quarter, which has been the home of leading architecture, design and masterplanning practice FWP for more than six decades.

The property has a fascinating history. It was the home of Avice Pimblett, a pioneer of women in civic life and campaigner on the needs of women and children.

She was a woman of ‘Preston firsts’. She was the first woman town councillor, its first woman alderman and first woman mayor.

Avice also had a major impact on the lives of Prestonians, concerning herself particularly with women and children’s social, educational and welfare issues. A blue plaque on the side of the office recognises her place in history.

David was approached by FWP to create the illustration of the building. He has a close working relationship with the practice and its design team.

He designed a striking montage of Preston’s landmarks, famous people and characters as part of FWP’s major makeover of the Charters Restaurant at the Royal Preston Hospital.

The artwork was endorsed by Preston-born Nick Park, who gave permission to include one of his most famous creations, Wallace and Gromit, as a thank-you to NHS staff for their efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic.

David is currently working to create unique artwork for the new £1.4million digital and creative centre at Preston College, which has been designed by the award-winning team at FWP.

In the past his high-profile illustration work has included capturing Preston North End’s Deepdale stadium, FWP led on the redevelopment of the ground, and the city’s striking bus station.

The artist handed over his illustration of FWP’s office to its managing director, who is also called David Robinson. It now has pride of place in the practice’s conference room.

Artist David, who is also known as Dave Rob, said: “It was a pleasure to capture this building for FWP as a piece of artwork.

“Built in what was Preston’s most desirable neighbourhood, the home of Avice Pimblett, a true pioneer and for the past 60 years FWP’s address in the heart of the city’s business district, it has a fascinating history.

“A lot of my work is centred around architecture and special buildings, which Preston has in abundance.

“We are very lucky where we are in terms of what we have in Preston, landmark buildings such as the bus station, Miller Arcade, The Harris – all beautiful, but also the parks and gardens and places like Winckley Square, Avenham and Miller Parks.”

Prestonian Dave, who has recently started working with the National Trust capturing some of its amazing buildings, has created illustrations for a wide range of clients including Transport for London. House of Fraser, The BBC, The NHS and the University of Central Lancashire.

He said: “I really enjoy collaborating with the FWP team on jobs such as the Royal Preston Hospital montage and the art I’m creating for Preston College. The office picture project came out of the strong working relationship we’ve developed.” 

FWP managing director David said: “Dave Rob has done a tremendous job capturing our office in all its glory and the illustration, which now has pride of place in our conference room, is a real talking point among our team members and visitors.

“We’re all very proud of where we work. With its terrace and gardens overlooking Avenham Park and the river and its position in the Winckley Square conservation area, it is a very special place.

“It has been our home for more than 60 years and even has its own historian who has researched the building’s fascinating past.

“We are honoured to have the plaque recognising the many achievements of Avice Pimblett on our building and pleased to play our part in making it happen.”

Latest news

1

New India branch campus on the horizon for Lancaster University Keir Starmer meets Indian PM and included Prof Simon Guy Lancaster University. Pic Simon Dawson

New India branch campus on the horizon for Lancaster University

09 Oct 2025

2

Best events and talented students complete finalists list for Lancashire Tourism Awards 2026 Best Events and Talented students on Lancashire Tourism Awards finalist list

Best events and talented students complete finalists list for Lancashire Tourism Awards 2026

09 Oct 2025

3

East Lancashire Learning Group named UK digital transformation leader in CIO 100 Awards Andrew Dewhurst with the award win

East Lancashire Learning Group named UK digital transformation leader in CIO 100 Awards

09 Oct 2025

4

PHX Training appoints new business leader in Blackpool Jason Davenport PHX Training

PHX Training appoints new business leader in Blackpool

09 Oct 2025

5

Velocity seals Airbus extension worth up to $54m Velocity Composites Has Announced Its Entry Into The Us Market

Velocity seals Airbus extension worth up to $54m

08 Oct 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th
Ai 10.10.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
10 Oct 2025 - 10 Oct 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West

Strathmore Hotel, Morecambe, LA4 5AP

08:00 - 10:00

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials
EventBrite NORi - 15th Oct 2025 Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials

Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Teams, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine
LBV Advert_Autumn Reset 1200 x 630px.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine

The Artistry House , Preston , PR1 3JJ

17:30 - 19:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (26).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

October Freelancer Meet-Up
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

October Freelancer Meet-Up

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 09 Jan 2026

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre

The Small Business Academy, Blackpool, FY4 5JX

09:30 - 15:30

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues
EventBrite NORi - 22nd Oct Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
22 Oct 2025 - 22 Oct 2025

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues

Online - Teams, Leyland, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin