A well known local firm which provides structural engineering services celebrated 25 years of business this month.

David Goodwin-LFP Ltd started out in 1976 and has become a household name to home owners, surveyors, architects and builders in the area, who regularly call on its services.

Director David Goodwin said: "I set out on my own 25 years ago because I was fed up of being part of a large firm spending most of my time hiring and firing.

"I wasn't doing any actual engineering or hands on work."

The company has spent 23 of its successful years in Ewell where it has been part of the street scene in the High Street.

Mr Goodwin added: "Ewell has been a splendid place to work because is has a real community feeling. Twenty-three of my 25 years have been spent in the village although we moved from number seven in the High Street to 24."

On December 6 the seven staff members, who all live locally in Epsom and Sutton, played host to a party at the Wheatsheaf pub, in Kingston Road, Ewell.

The directors, David Goodwin, Graham Fryer and Nigel Scott, invited a selection of clients and past employees, to join the festivities and thank them for their loyalty over the years.

A spokesman for the company said: "A number of the guests had used our services for between 20 and 25 years.

"The business, which recently merged with Lewin, Fryer & Partners of Hampton, is now assured a great future and we hope that another 25 years are ahead of us."

December 14, 2001 15:30