The haulage entrepreneur swapping freight for essential supplies

A County Durham haulage and freight businessman has turned his hand to delivering medical supplies and food products during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Paul Barker has joined forces with local logistic companies as an LGV driver delivering food and medical supplies to distribution centres throughout the UK.

His company, Transport & Warehouse Solutions (NE) Ltd based on the Drum Industrial Estate in Chester-le-Street, provides a general haulage and freight service throughout the UK and in most countries around the world, plus a secure warehouse storage facility alongside a range of forklift truck driving training courses.

Paul said: “This is challenging time for all businesses, and the pandemic has stopped many services in their tracks, but it hasn’t stopped the need for the delivery of much-needed food and medical supplies throughout the country.

“I can’t gain access to any of my customers’ premises to carry out training and clients that require cargo movements throughout the UK and Europe are on shut down until further notice, so it makes complete sense to put myself to good use and help others during, and beyond this pandemic, while also maintaining some revenue for my business.”

Being made redundant after working for a freight forwarder firm for over three decades spurred Paul to start his own business last year. He used his notice period to go on as many training courses as possible and focus on launching the business.

He said: “As a small start-up I was able to respond quickly to the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, which has affected entire industries and has changed how businesses everywhere operate. Transforming and pivoting to a new direction is the only way many companies will survive.”