The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) arranged the visit as part of its industry and parliament programme. The aim is to show MPs the role, value and importance of merchants in delivering for their customers and communities
Gideon Amos, a qualified urban designer and chartered architect, is the Lib Dems’ housing and planning spokesman in the House of Commons. He was welcomed by David Young, Bradfords’ chief executive; Jason Morris, regional director; and Brett Amphlett, BMF. Touring the branch, Mr Amos was shown examples of the everyday trade essentials and value-added products available to Bradfords’ customers in Somerset and neighbouring counties.
The MP also heard how merchants and their SME trade customers have managed in recent times with higher prices and rising fuel, employment and other costs.
“Having trained as an architect and worked on building sites myself, it was a pleasure to visit Bradfords Building Supplies to meet the staff,” said Mr Amos.
“I want to thank David, Jason and their team for the benefits Bradfords, still a family firm, bring Taunton including employing some of our ex-servicemen and former Royal Marine commandos.
“I was keen to hear about their new approaches to helping nature and reducing emissions and pollution. We all want our buildings to tread lightly on the land and it was great to see how Bradfords are seizing the business opportunities that creates.”
David Young told the MP that merchants and local housebuilders want ministers to set out a properly-structured, costed and long-term plan to build 3.5 or 4 million new homes in England over the 10 years – rather than scratch around trying to build 300,000 homes per year.
Gideon Amos heard that to do this, barriers must be removed – notably the capability and capacity in local planning authorities – and the long-standing problem of phosphate and nitrate pollution. Mr Young expressed his frustration that new homes in many districts are held up by nutrient neutrality rules. Turnover of companies in affected areas is typically down between 8%-10% that regrettably has led to redundancies for SME builders, he added.
Mr Young said he recognised that Gideon Amos and his Lib Dem party colleagues were alive to the problem – and urged both DEFRA and Natural England to resolve nutrient neutrality quickly – so Taunton businesses and those in the wider Somerset economy can create jobs and growth – and desperately needed homes for sale or rent are completed for people to move into.
“We were pleased to welcome Gideon today and show him how Bradfords has evolved since we began in 1770,” said Mr Young. “It is great to have our MP take an interest in merchants like ours and offering his professional insight and local support to help Somerset businesses to keep going.
“Running a successful business is far harder than it was back then. The brake on local housing delivery caused by nutrient neutrality over the last 5 years is a case in point. Every day it remains unresolved makes it more difficult and time-consuming to be a financially stable business, offering good jobs, and paying our way as a good local employer”.
Gideon Amos met Steve Hoggart to present him with a long-service award and thank him for helping SME builders and allied trades for 30+ years. Mr Amos also met Jadon Sigobodhla, a Level 2 customer service practitioner apprentice, who started in the branch last year.
