Published in the Solihull Observer 28 February 2026
There are moments in the life of a Member of Parliament that quietly reaffirm one’s confidence in our country and its future. My visit to the Norton Motorcycle factory in Solihull was one such occasion.
As the MP for Solihull West & Shirley, I am acutely aware that our constituency sits within a proud tradition of British manufacturing. It is one thing to speak in generalities about industry and innovation, yet quite another to stand on a factory floor and witness the fusion of heritage and modern engineering that defines Norton’s revival.
Founded in 1898 by James Lansdowne Norton, the company became emblematic of British ingenuity. From early pioneering machines to triumphs at the Isle of Man TT, and through the introduction of the celebrated Featherbed frame and the iconic Commando, Norton’s name became synonymous with excellence, daring and technical refinement. It is a story interwoven with Britain’s wider industrial narrative.
And so, when Norton went into administration in 2020, it was a bitter blow for British manufacturing. However, fast forward six years and it has risen from the ashes. Acquired by TVS in 2021, this iconic brand is now based right here at Solar Park in Solihull.
What impressed me most during my visit, however, was not nostalgia but renewal. Backed by substantial investment from the world’s third-largest motorcycle producer, Norton is charting a confident course forward. The new generation of machines, including the Manx R superbike, the Manx road model, and the Atlas and Atlas GT, reflect a commitment to precision engineering, design integrity and technological sophistication. This is British manufacturing, not as a museum piece, but as living enterprise.
For Solihull West & Shirley, this is of profound significance. Advanced manufacturing sustains skilled employment, supports apprenticeships, and strengthens local supply chains. It anchors prosperity within our community while projecting British craftsmanship onto the global stage. In an age often characterised by economic uncertainty, such investment offers both reassurance and ambition.
Norton’s resurgence invites reflection on a larger truth. A nation’s prosperity rests not solely on financial services or digital innovation, important though they are, but also on its capacity to make, design, and engineer. Industry is a bedrock of Britain’s national strength.
As I left the factory, I felt a renewed sense of optimism. Here in Solihull, an historic British marque is being shaped for the twenty-first century. It stands as a testament to what can be achieved when global investment is matched by local skill.
