Not so, there was a "W. Richards" (William Richards) of Preston that was the brother of Westley. William sold rifles & guns under the name W. Richards 44 Fishergate, Preston, Lancashire.
W. Richards also maintained premises in Liverpool.

There were Belgian knockoffs that were marked variously "W. Richards" but never with the full Preston or Liverpool address and not with Birmingham proof marks. The Belgian ones are usually pretty easy to spot.

I have a W. Richards .577/.500 double rifle that is a legit Preston marked rifle.

- Mike