Hi there Brain and welcome
The people here are amazingly helpful and if you've any question later on about woodworking I'm sure someone will help ...... I'm realively new to this as well and this forum has been an invaluble aid (thanks to all)
anyhow back to your question regarding suppliers in the north west
My first batch of hardwood involved a trip to yorkshire as I was struggling to find someone local at first ........ However I've found a couple of places resently
the first is Page and Taylor in Preston...........
HERE
I've only been once so far and the service was good but I was only buying pine for a quick job I had to do ....... They do Hard wood as well but I've not look at that shed yet
The second one is
Hoghton Timber
Unit 3-4, Higher Walton Trading Estate, Cann Bridge St, Higher Walton, Preston, Lancashire PR5 4DJ
Tel: 01772 323566
This one has no website and is inbetween Preston and Blackburn
When I phone them the stated that they only do hard woods (I was looking for pine at the time). I've not been to this on yet but I will be doing at some point as I drive past it everyday to and from work
Ohter than that try geting a few numbers from the yellow pages and give a few a ring
Hope this is of help
Ian
P.S. Chris if you see this can you add the page and taylor link to the map please