A business dating back to 1873 and now playing a major part in the HS2 rail project was visited by Bolton MP Yasmin Qureshi recently.

Ms Qureshi was given a tour of the manufacturing facilities.

Originally formed by John Booth in 1873 as a family-run blacksmiths, specialising in small engine repairs and machining, Booth Industries became pivotal in establishing national standards for fire protection doors.

The HS2 contract commissioned Booth Industries, one of over 2,500 companies working on the project, to provide 303 fire protection doors between cross passages, creating a safe means of escape in the event of fire.

This contract has enabled the business to extend its main manufacturing facility with a new purpose-built wing, complete with improved welfare and testing facilities, whilst also creating new skilled local jobs in the process.

Ms Qureshi MP said: “It was great to learn about the work Booth Industries does to support Bolton’s local economy but also its role supporting infrastructure projects like HS2. Small and medium sized enterprises make up such a large part of the economy but some are in danger of being left behind under this Government’s poor economic plans.”

“Booth Industries is a real local success story which shows there is a place for well-paid, green, industrial jobs in Bolton and throughout Britain, but to encourage others to do so, we need a government which is willing to encourage enterprise and business activity, and one which gives a hand up to small businesses.”

Mike Jenkinson, managing director of Booth Industries, said: “We were delighted to welcome Yasmin to our manufacturing facility here in Bolton and show her the work we are doing to support large infrastructure projects across the country, including HS2.

“The skills required to deliver our projects are highly specialised, requiring a range of high-value skills from design and engineering to manufacture, testing and project management. Since winning the contract with HS2, we have invested in both our facilities and our people, creating a range of new roles including apprenticeships and graduate jobs, and opening a new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility that not only provides valuable additional capacity but also forms a key part of our carbon reduction roadmap

“It was a pleasure to share our story with Yasmin, from our strong history of innovation and heritage supporting infrastructure projects around the world, to our role in the local community and our plans for the future."