How builders’ merchants create local jobs and supply the materials needed for more energy-efficient homes was the focus of a constituency visit by Hannah Spencer MP last Friday.
The MP for Gorton and Denton visited Henshaws Roofing & Building Supplies in Denton, their third branch in Greater Manchester, that opened a month ago. Spencer heard how the merchant transformed an empty building, previously occupied by a company that repaired fire engines, by converting it into a thriving new merchant branch that now employs seven people.
Spencer was welcomed by Rachel Shelley (Marketing Manager), Kevin Doyle (Branch Manager) and Brett Amphlett (Builders Merchants Federation). Touring the 1½ acre site, she saw the everyday trade essentials and value-added products available to Henshaws' customers in Gorton & Denton. Henshaws' expertise is in building and roofing materials - so improving existing buildings and carrying out home energy upgrades is important to the business.
Spencer, who won her seat after a by-election in February 2026, left school at 16 and completed a National Vocational Qualification to become a plumber around 2008. Later, she completed training to qualify as a gas engineer and a plasterer. She is well known locally as "Hannah the Plumber".
Rachel Shelley, Marketing Manager, commented: "We were delighted to welcome Hannah Spencer to our new Denton branch. It isn't every day you get to meet an MP who has actually worked in the trade, so it was a genuine pleasure to show her around and talk shop."
"We were proud to explain how Henshaws has grown since 1985, the jobs we have created locally, and our work to help customers choose more energy-efficient and responsibly sourced materials."
This visit included discussion on making homes more resilient against overheating following the heatwaves of recent weeks. Protecting homes from flooding and the need for water conservation were also topics singled out during the visit as requiring more awareness by the public.
Henshaws supports the BMF's "BM Careers" initiative which helps reach local talent and showcases the wide range of rewarding careers available in the building materials supply chain.
The visit was arranged by the Builders Merchants Federation 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 helping to grow local economies.
