House prices rose by 1.2% in May, according to Nationwide, the second increase in three months and the strongest increase for 19 months - another sign that we may be making tentative steps towards recovery. 

Building materials company blames "weakness" in market for drop to £72m and predicts trading conditions will remain tough into next year. 

The Garden Industry Manufacturers Association (GIMA) has had to make extra places available for this year's GIMA Awards dinner as demand has outstripped supply. 

A Bayer Garden spokesperson has confirmed to DIY Week that Tommy Gill, head of Bayer UK and Ireland, has resigned from the company with immediate effect. 

The pound has risen to its highest point above the dollar in almost six months, another indicator, slight as it may be, that the worst may be behind us. 

£18m investment sees DIY giant enter the furniture market, stocking sofas, beds and white goods. 

Prime Minister Gordon Brown paid a visit to the new B&Q store in Kirkcaldy earlier this week ahead of its official opening on Friday (May 29). 

Department Store chain John Lewis has announced that its new specialist homestore format will be rolled out under the name 'John Lewis at home'. 

David Amess, MP for Southend West officially opened the new Jegs premises this month. 

Interim report shows profits plunge for tile retailer. 

European profits at the US parent of HomeSense and TK Maxx, The TJX Companies, have rocketed by 42%. 

Latest research from the Halifax shows that home improvement spending is on the rise. 

Hamilton Acorn md John Grayson has been named as the new BHETA DIY sector chairman, replacing Home Décor Innovations' Max Crosby-Browne. 

More than a quarter of Britons have injured themselves doing DIY according to research by Ask Jeeves - with assembling flatpack furniture the most dangerous job despite using little more than a screwdriver and an Allen key! 

Former Woolworths store is packed with customers on opening day 

Research from Energy Saving Trust reveals more than half of population are not confident enough to use basic home improvement skills. 

Malcolm Scotts Consultants gains planning permission for redevelopment of centre, releasing more than one hectare of land. 

Sir Tom Hunter to stand down from his position as chairman of Wyevale Garden Centres. 

The TV ad for HomePride oven cleaner, which claimed the product made cleaning "so easy even a man can do it", was not sexist according to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruling. 

Independent housewares and hardware chain Lawsons will celebrate 30 years in Totnes later this month, having opened the branch in 1979.