3 minute read
Five Minutes With
Rory Pratt, of Pratts Pods Ltd
WL: Hi Rory, to start with then, just what is Pratts Pods? RP:Pratts pods are a local family run tech repair company situated in the centre of Wokingham. We fix all makes and models of phones, tablets, laptops/MacBooks, games consoles.
WL:When did all this start? RP:I started fixing tech about 13 years ago now.
WL:At what age did you realise you had quite a gift for taking things apart and fixing them? RP:When I was younger I broke an awful lot of phones and iPods, I was very clumsy! When I got my first job my parents told me that they wouldn’t replace them anymore and that I had to sort it out myself. As I couldn’t afford to replace my iPod at the time I pursued the idea of repairing it instead… Then Pratts Pods Ltd was born!
WL:We are in your lovely repair shop here at Elms Walk in the centre of Wokingham, are there other locations and do you have plans for expansion? RP:We have huge plans for the next year, including a new location, online store, a device trade in website and we have just secured full Apple certifications meaning we are now the ONLY Apple independent repair provider in Berkshire with access to their parts, tools and training programs!
WL:That is a lot going on! What is happening at the new Carnival hub, I hear you have an innovative idea? (This is actually at the library within the new building) RP:Yes we have decided that we want to give something back to the local community and something we have noticed we do an awful lot of is tech tips and help for the non technically minded so we decided to host FREE tech advice/ training sessions for all that need them!
WL:Also are you about to be involved with local schools? RP:We have recently started working with a few local schools and hope that now we have Apple’s manufacturer certification that we should be able to support a few more.
WL:On a more personal level, what are your ambitions for the future? RP:For me it’s all about changing the industry, too long this industry has been ruled by poor quality parts, shoddy workmanship and dishonest repair shops. It’s my mission to change this and ensure that people get good honest advice, quality parts and amazing workmanship when dealing with technical problems and repairs. son is a train enthusiast, so we have recently started building a model railway which is really exciting. My family and music are my passions.
WL:And, one last question, as you are right at the heart of our Wokingham community, what is the best thing about living and working in Wokingham? RP: I have lived in Wokingham my whole life, I met my wife here and we raise our children here too. For me Wokingham is all about family and community, as a small town you get to know the people around you and support each other when needed, a bit like we are doing with our free group sessions at the library.
WL:Thank you very much for your time, Rory, you certainly do have a lot in the pipeline for the near future, and we wish you all the best.
Pratts Pods Ltd 01183047777 Unit 13 Elms Walk, Wokingham, RG402FE www.prattspods.co.uk www.microsolderingrepairs.co.uk www.facebook.com/prattspodsltd
WL:What do you do in your spare time? If you have any! RP: I have very little free time between the two businesses and spending time with my kids but my
