SHADOW Foreign Secretary William Hague stressed the importance of the hire industry to the economy when he opened a new depot in the region.
Richmond MP Mr Hague opened Yorkshirebased SHC Hire Centre’s depot in Northallerton, North Yorkshire.
SHC, a family-run business which supplies hire equipment to commercial and DIY markets, already has depots in Skipton, Ilkley and Ripon.
Mr Hague said it was good to see a company which was bucking the trend by expanding.
He said: “The rural nature of North Yorkshire means service industries, such as the hire sector, play an ever-more vitally important role in the economy.
“In straitened circumstances, many people will choose to hire over buying.”
SHC managing director Claire Gains said the firm was delighted to be creating jobs during tough trading conditions.
The company employs 30 people and the new depot has created three jobs.
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