BY IAN WILLIS PICTURES BY CHRIS BOOTH
THE MP Park
How Paul Howell has made Aycliffe Business his home
NEXT DOOR
When Paul Howell describes the last year as “ a challenge ”, he knows he will probably be quickly installed as the bookies ’ favourites for the Understatement of the Year award . After successfully wrestling the seat from Phil Wilson in the December 2019 elections , MP for Sedgefield Paul was just three months into his tenure when the pandemic hit – and all of a sudden the goalposts had moved .
But with so much water under the bridge since then , Paul is now focused on playing his part in helping businesses throughout his constituency get back on their feet .
With his constituency office based in the heart of Aycliffe Business Park – at Sydney House , part of the former Newton Press buildings – the 61-year-old has 500 businesses and 10,000 employees on his doorstep and , after a career spent in local manufacturing businesses , he hopes to use that experience to understand and help these enterprises in his patch .
“ It ’ s been a challenge , put it that way ,” he responds when asked to sum up the last year .
“ But I wouldn ’ t swap it for the world . It ’ s been an amazing opportunity and it is a privilege to represent these people . The tenacity and determination many of them have shown in such difficult times is testament to the type of people we are .
“ It ’ s been hard to speak to people directly , in the old fashioned face-toface way , and we ’ ve all become reliant on talking to people on social media or Zoom calls .
“ It ’ s like a vicar being unable to get to his flock , and for that reason it is difficult to ascertain the general feeling of the business community . Some businesses have been unable to operate , others have diversified , and then some like 3M have found themselves incredibly busy . Each business , no matter the sector , has had its own challenges as a direct result of the pandemic .
“ Some have praised the help they ’ ve had by having access to Government grants or furlough money , others who have missed out have a different perception .”
And while he is keen to get his doors back open to speak to those in Aycliffe , he assures the rest of his constituency that they won ’ t be left out .
“ As we hopefully get back to some sort of normality , I ’ ll do all I can to support all the businesses I represent . I ’ d ask people to remember while Aycliffe is a beating heart , I have Sedgefield Net Park and businesses from Thornley in the north to Hurworth in the south to listen to as well . The range of locations and types of businesses is fantastic and inspirational but none more so than those on Aycliffe Industrial Park .
“ I ’ ve always said that the best way to learn about a business is to go into it . That ’ s what I ’ d like to do when regulations allow me to , and if any business would like
Sedgefield Conservative MP Paul Howell has based his constituency office at Sydney House , the former Newton Press buildings named after Syd Howarth , on Aycliffe Business Park .
a visit please get in touch and let ’ s get these opportunities in the diary .”
The Ferryhill-born Conservative is fiercely proud of his roots , and there is genuine excitement in his voice when pushed to give his thoughts on the recent good news about the freeport on Teesside and Treasury North moving to Darlington .
He went on : “ I have to applaud the Tees Valley mayor , Ben Houchen , for the work he has done in bringing investment to the area . Not just the freeport news and the Treasury North , but the airport is another great example of a project he has delivered
20 | Aycliffe Business