How builders’ merchants are managing to supply the materials and products needed in the drive to build 1½ million new homes — despite difficult headwinds and cost pressures — was top of the agenda during a recent constituency visit by Imran Hussain MP.
The MP for Bradford East visited Joseph Parr in Broomfields to see how the merchant helps his constituents build new homes and improve existing ones — especially to make them warm and comfortable. His visit came not long after Joseph Parr recently celebrated its 10th anniversary in the city since opening on Manchester Road on the site of a former car dealership.
Mr Hussain, former Deputy Leader of Bradford Council, was welcomed by Managing Director Michael Beaumont, Branch Manager Jack Morris and Brett Amphlett of the Builders Merchants Federation, with the visit arranged by the BMF as part of its industry and parliament programme which aims to show MPs the role, value and importance of merchants in delivering for their customers and communities.
Touring the 2-acre site, the MP saw the everyday trade essentials and value-added products available to Joseph Parr’s customers in Bradford and the surrounding area. Furthermore, many of the materials and products required to build much-needed extra homes come from quarries, brickworks, sawmills and factories in Yorkshire.
Commenting, Michael Beaumont said: “We were delighted to welcome Imran Hussain and show him how Joseph Parr is investing in our people and in Bradford. It is great to have our MP take an interest in a local merchant and offering his advice and support to help us to succeed.
“Nonetheless, key decisions lie ahead. Merchants and local SMEs would prefer to see ministers set out a structured, fully-costed and long-term plan to build 3½ or 4 million new homes in England over the next decade — rather than juts promise to build 300,000 homes per year in the short term.”
Michael continued: “I am glad Imran was able to see our Volvo FM Electric 6×2 rigid that was part-funded by a grant from Bradford City Council. Despite the additional weight of the batteries, we actually see a slight payload advantage over the traditional 26-tonne diesel trucks we also run.
“Regulations affecting commercial transport are changing and we want to ensure Joseph Parr is ahead of the curve when it comes to cleaner, greener HGVs. The well-documented energy price shock in the Middle East may hasten the adoption of electric lorries. We are proud to be the first.”
Concluding his visit, Imran Hussain MP said: “It was a pleasure to visit Joseph Parr who have been serving the Bradford community so well for the last decade. I want to thank Michael and his team for providing a friendly, knowledgeable service to the building trade in and around our city, and for taking the time to explain to me the challenges they face in today’s market.
“I was keen to learn how they are getting on with their 100% electric Volvo HGV, believed to be the first used by any builders’ merchant in the country. It is encouraging to see independently-owned firms take bold steps like this — especially given the high petrol and diesel prices we have seen.”
The Labour MP’s visit ended with discussion on efforts being made by Bradford City Council, West Yorkshire Combined Authority and other commercial partners to regenerate the city. Municipal leaders want to capitalise on the momentum following its status as last year’s UK City of Culture — and confirmed Whitehall commitments on Northern Powerhouse Rail.
Joseph Parr is in Broomfields in the ambitious Southern Gateway project. Much of Mr Hussain’s constituency is made up of land on which old, traditional industries have gone — leaving a de-industrialised landscape that can be totally redeveloped with modern office & retail spaces, new housing and digital & learning hubs.
