Fire Damage at the Reliant Works, Tamworth

Description:In 1966 a fire tore through the fibreglass shop at Reliant's factory at Two Gates, Tamworth. The damaged buildings can be seen in the background.


The Reliant Motor Company was formed in 1935 when Mr T.L. Williams decided to build his own three wheeled vehicle in his back garden at Kettlebrook, Tamworth. In 1973 Reliant introduced the most famous of their three wheelers, The Reliant Robin.


Reliant production was based in Two Gates at Tamworth for 65 years, until December 1998 when the factory was closed for the last time and production moved to a new purpose built factory at Burntwood, Cannock.

The company hit difficulties in the 1990's and, in October 1990, called in the receivers. Then in April 1996 Reliant was bought by a consortium of Businessmen and production was finally resumed. Production of the Robin continued at Reliant until February 2001, when the last Reliant Robin was collected by its' owner. However in April 2001 B & N Plastics was granted a licence from Reliant to continued making the Robin, with production beginning at the end of that month.