The MP for Stretford & Urmston visited Henshaws Roofing & Building Supplies. The visit coincided with their 40th anniversary since opening in Stretford.

How builders’ merchants are preparing to supply the materials and products necessary in the government’s drive to build 1.5 million new homes was the topic of conversation during a constituency visit by Andrew Western MP last Friday.

The MP for Stretford & Urmston visited Henshaws Roofing & Building Supplies to see how the merchant helps constituents to build new homes and improve existing ones - especially to make them warm and comfortable. 

He was welcomed by Adrian Shelley (Managing Director) and Brett Amphlett (BMF). Touring the branch, he was shown examples of the everyday trade essentials and value-added products available to Henshaw’s customers in Greater Manchester.

Western is a strong advocate of the Labour YIMBY movement - “Yes In My Back Yard” - that actively encourages more homes to be built as a way to ease intergenerational unfairness and grow the economy.

Concluding his visit, Andrew Western MP said: “It was a pleasure to visit Henshaws who have been serving the community so well for the last four decades. I want to thank Adrian and his team for providing such a valuable, friendly and knowledgeable service to the building trade. I was keen to discuss the prospects for local housing provision”.

Adrian Shelley, Managing Director, commented: “We were delighted to welcome Andrew Western and show him how Henshaws has evolved since we began in 1985. It is great to have our MP take an interest in a local merchant like us and offering his insight and support to help Manchester businesses to succeed.

“Running a successful business is far harder now than it was when Henshaws started. The burden of regulation and taxation on today’s owners makes it more difficult and time-consuming to be a financially stable business, offering good jobs and investing in Greater Manchester.”

This visit was another arranged by the Builders Merchants Federation 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 helping to grow local economies.