MPs are given stores briefing at Morrisons (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

MPs are given stores briefing at Morrisons

9:50am Thursday 9th February 2012 in Business By Chris Holland

Parliamentarians from around the UK had a close-up look at the operations of Bradford-based supermarket Morrisons as part of a programme to familiarise MPs and peers with how the economy works on the ground.

Morrisons chief executive Dalton Philips briefed the party of 11-strong cross-party group of MPs, an MEP and a peer, which included Bradford East Liberal Democrat MP David Ward, in whose constituency Morrisons is situated, and Pudsey Conservative MP Stuart Andrew. They visited Morrisons ‘Store of the Future’ in Kirkstall, Leeds, followed by lunch at Morrisons’ head office on Gain Lane, prepared by executive chef and head of innovation Neil Nugent.

They also saw an ‘M-Kitchen’ operation where Morrisons chefs experiment with new dishes and products.

The group also toured the Farmers Boy food manufacturing factory at Dudley Hill, Bradford, which employs more than 1,500 people packaging products such as bacon, cheese and manufacturing sausages, pies and fresh and cooked meat products.

The visit run by the Industry and Parliament Trust, which seeks to build closer links between parliamentarians and companies around the country.

David Ward said: “It’s a fantastic idea and enables politicians to escape the Westminster bubble and see how businesses operate. I was proud that the group visited Morrisons, which is a national success story and shows Bradford in its best light.

“We all had our eyes opened by the sheer scale of Morrisons operations which is staggering . While most see it as a supermarket, the whole company comprises of a wide range of operations such as logistics, manufacturing and farming on a large scale.

“Although I regularly visit firms in my constituency, I'm hoping once I’ve been in parliament a bit longer, to undertake one of the IPT’s work placement programmes, which provides the opportunity to experience life in a company from the shop floor to the boardroom.”