Historic Cheltenham business welcomes MP
By Sarah Wood | 15th January 2025
Max Wilkinson, MP for Cheltenham, visited a well-known local business to find out more about supply chain in the construction industry.
The MP visited George Bence & Sons, a long-established Cheltenham business, to find out how the building materials supply chain is evolving to support housebuilding and existing homes, see how it helps constituents build new homes and improve existing properties, and find out its trading prospects for 2025.
Touring the branch, he heard how merchants and their SME customers have managed in recent times with higher prices and rising fuel, labour and other costs.
Max Wilkinson MP said: "It was a pleasure to visit Bence Builders Merchants to see how they trade sustainably, while serving their traditional housebuilding and repair and maintenance markets.

"It is heartening to see a local family-run business, that this summer marked its 170th anniversary, facing the future and keeping up to date with the needs of its trade customers and property owners.
"I want to thank Paul and his team for helping SME builders and DIY enthusiasts with their building and home improvement projects, and for giving me the chance to see for myself their contribution not only to Cheltenham's economy, but also more widely around the Cotswolds.
"I was particularly concerned to hear about the pressures being faced by the business and the impact that is likely to have in the coming year.
"I share Paul's concern about the increased cost burden being faced by small businesses - not least the increase in Employers' National Insurance Contributions. That will certainly make the lives of many SMEs much more difficult, particularly after years of economic turbulence."
Paul Bence, managing director of George Bence & Sons, explained that his is a sixth-generation business, founded in 1854, and owners naturally want to pass their firms onto their children. But he said changes introduced in the autumn Budget will make that harder.
He added that some employers may choose to defer or cut planned investment, review stock levels and staff numbers (especially apprentices) and look at opening hours.
Paul said: "We were pleased to welcome Max today and show him how Bence Builders Merchants has evolved since we began in 1854. It is great to have our MP take an interest in local firms like ours and offering his insight and support to help Gloucestershire businesses to keep going.
"Running a successful business is far harder than it was back then. 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 paying our way as a good local employer".
The 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 communities.
The Builders Merchants Federation, which represents more than 1,000 merchants, manufacturers and distributors, predicts a huge impact on the future of private businesses. Seventy-five per cent of its members are family-owned, small local independents with an annual turnover of less than £12.5 million.
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