A SOMERSET MP took something of a busman’s holiday by visiting a Taunton building supplies firm.

Gideon Amos (Lib Dem, Taunton & Wellington) discussed building industry supply chains and trading prospects for 2025 during a trip to Bradfords Building Supplies.

As a qualified urban designer and chartered architect, Mr Amos was returning to his roots with the visit, highlighted through his role as the Lib Dems’ housing and planning spokesperson.

At Bradfords, he was welcomed by chief executive David Young, regional director Jason Morris, and Brett Amphlett from the Builders Merchants’ Federation.

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The MP heard how merchants and their SME trade customers have managed higher prices and rising fuel, employment and other costs in recent years.

“Having trained as an architect and worked on building sites myself, it was a pleasure to visit Bradfords Building Supplies to meet the staff,” he said.

“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.”

Mr Amos presented Steve Hoggart with a long-service award

Mr Young told the MP merchants and house-builders want ministers to set out a properly-structured, costed and long-term plan to build up to 4 million new homes over the next decade.

He said to do this, barriers have to be removed – notably increasing capacity in planning authorities – and the long-standing problem of phosphate and nitrate pollution tackled.

Chief executive Mr Young said: “We were pleased to welcome Gideon today and show him how Bradfords has evolved since we began in 1770.

“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 five 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.”

During his visit, Mr Amos met Steve Hoggart and presented him with a long-service award, thanking him for helping SME builders and allied trades for more than 30 years.

He also met Jadon Sigobodhla, a Level 2 Customer Service Practitioner Apprentice, who started at the Taunton branch last year.