Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

News Archive October 2020

Planning application submitted for new Homebase store in Abingdon 29 October 2020

Planning permission is being submitted today for the opening of a new 23,800 sq ft Homebase store in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. If planning permission is granted, the store will open on the Fairacres Retail Park in late 2021 – making it the first new ...


Confused.com reveals Brit's are overspending by nearly £10,000 when renovating their home 28 October 2020

Brits spend £34,000 renovating their homes, on average. That’s according to new research by Confused.com, which also reveals the areas of the home that are most commonly renovated, and the challenges people face when doing up their homes. You can ...


Picking up the paintbrush – the resurgence of DIY 27 October 2020

The year 2020 has seen many UK homeowners swapping their usual technology filled hands for a paintbrush. Figures from Gov.UK show that between March and April 2020, gardening and DIY activity increased from ten minutes a day to nearly 50 minutes — ...


Leading UK stair part and mouldings manufacturer expands further 26 October 2020

The UK’s leading stair part and mouldings manufacturer, Cheshire Mouldings continues to expand, investing a further £2 million to increase its UK production and distribution capabilities. The company, which is a firm supporter of UK manufacturing, ...


AkzoNobel delivers strong Q3 results with 3% growth in volumes and 18% increase in adjusted operating income 26 October 2020

Akzo Nobel N.V. has published its results for third quarter 2020.Highlights Q3 2020ROS, excluding unallocated costs, increased to 17.7% (2019: 13.8%) due to strong margin management and cost savingsGrowth in volumes of 3%, with strong demand trends ...


Internet garden market set to achieve 25% growth in 2020 26 October 2020

In 2020, the Internet garden products market is estimated to achieve growth of 25%, profiting from the surge in Internet usage as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. According to the latest Internet Garden market report from AMA Research, it is ...


GIMA 2021 New Product Digest now live 23 October 2020

The annual showcase of innovation from GIMA members – the GIMA New Product Digest - is now available, providing retailers with a comprehensive guide to the latest product innovations, point of sale and marketing initiatives ahead of the 2021 spring/...


Islington community centre scoops DIY prize 22 October 2020

A community centre in the heart of Islington is celebrating after winning a sizeable gift from a local hardware and decorating merchant.Sam Parrington and Teena Phillips and Mildmay Community PartnershipMildmay Community Centre, on Woodville Road, ...


GIMA backs call for pragmatic approach to secure historic UK-EU agreement 21 October 2020

The Garden Industry Manufacturers Association (GIMA) has joined with 71 other trade associations and the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) to urge the government to reach an agreement regarding a Brexit deal to ensure that the UK remains a key ...


BHETA enables kickstart funding for smaller employer members 21 October 2020

The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) is set to apply to the Government’s Kickstart Scheme as an ‘organisation representative’ on behalf of its smaller employer members, enabling them to access the scheme. Kickstart offers support ...


Happy Compost – what’s new? The Greener Gardening Company unveils key sales drivers for 2021 20 October 2020

When Happy Compost – a cutting-edge new brand of top performing peat-free growing media launched at Glee 2019, no-one could have predicted how demand for compost would skyrocket in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. According to The Greener ...


Kitchens by design is latest retailer to join Kbsa 20 October 2020

The Kbsa has welcomed Kitchens by Design, a showroom based in Coleford, Gloucestershire, as the latest member to join the association. Kitchens by Design specialise in superior German designed kitchens by Leicht and Nobilia. Established since 2005,...


Homebase signs long-term partnership with THG Ingenuity to transform the online shopping experience 20 October 2020

Homebase, one of the UK's leading home and garden retailers, today announces a ten-year partnership with e-commerce specialist The Hut Group (THG) and its ecommerce services division, THG Ingenuity, to transform the online shopping experience for ...


Bedroom furniture market severely impacted by Covid-19 Pandemic 19 October 2020

The bedroom furniture market has been severely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, AMA Research have noted commonalities with most other consumer durables markets where a decrease in sales has been prominent and initial forecasts indicate a decline ...


Home improvements underpinning construction recovery, says FMB  19 October 2020

The recently released ONS construction output data showing the increase in private repair and maintenance work by 35.6% in the three months to August has been a welcome boost for British builders, but uncertainty remains for the wider construction ...


Gardening grows green shoots of optimism   16 October 2020

The UK garden industry is well placed to be an engine of ‘green economic growth’ says the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) today (Friday), as it publishes positive industry monthly sales figures (up 25% v Sept 19) and a new consumer trend ...


Toolstation boosts financial resilience of colleagues with earned wage access from Wagestream 16 October 2020

Toolstation, one of the UK’s fastest growing retailers of tools, accessories and supplies to the trade and homeowners has launched earned wage access (also known as Income Streaming) from Wagestream to boost the financial resilience of staff.The ...


Kingston set to welcome new decorating and DIY store 15 October 2020

A leading decorating and DIY specialist will open a new branch in Kingston next month – and is offering an immediate £1,000 boost to the local community. Leyland SDM, which has 23 stores in London, is due to open the doors at the former Topps Tiles ...


First 100 percent UV cured wood coatings open window of opportunity for AkzoNobel 15 October 2020

Window manufacturers can now make their production process more efficient and sustainable with a new instant drying solution from AkzoNobel. The company’s RUBBOL 100 percent UV cured exterior range of Sikkens wood coatings is said to be the first of ...


Greenfingers Charity completes its 59th and 60th garden projects! 14 October 2020

Following Hospice Care Week, there is no better time to announce that the Greenfingers Charity has completed its 59th and 60th garden projects at the Little Harbour Children’s Hospice (St Austell, Cornwall) and Rainbows Hospice for Children & ...


Hand hygiene for all 14 October 2020

Skin health and surface hygiene specialist, GOJO Industries-Europe Ltd, supports Global Handwashing Day on 15th October 2020The coronavirus pandemic continues to provide a stark reminder that one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of a ...


Tile Giant helping the trade get back in business 13 October 2020

In a bid to get the industry back on its feet, Tile Giant has set up a new and improved help scheme for tilers, offering a range of benefits including a Checkatrade membership package. A known trade supporter, Tile Giant is committed to doing ...


"Bakeware Boom is the New Normal," says What More UK 13 October 2020

Housewares manufacturer and pride of the North West, What More UK, has reported continued growth in bakeware and kitchenware sales, and lockdown is thought to be the raising agent.At the start of the coronavirus pandemic What More announced a large ...


Crown’s colourful murals brighten up Darwen 12 October 2020

Crown Paints has teamed up with one of Lancashire’s most famous street artists to create two colourful murals in the Lancashire town of Darwen, where Crown’s HQ is located. The latest mural was completed by Keiron ‘Curly’ Whitehead in time for ...


Christmas trading during a global pandemic 12 October 2020

British garden sculpture business, Andrew Kay Sculpture, share their thoughts about Christmas trading this year...Stags are Andrew Kay’s most popular designs commissioned for Christmas1. Have you now entered the Christmas period in terms of orders ...


KBSA announces ground-breaking support package for independent retailers 9 October 2020

The KBSA and corporate member Quooker have launched a unique £250,000 support package for kitchen retailers, designed to encourage people back to the high street and into independent showrooms across the country.Quooker are supporting the KBSA by ...


Bradford Garden Centre applies for planning permission for a second site 9 October 2020

A Bradford Garden Centre has applied for planning permission for a second site in West Yorkshire. Directors at Tong Garden Centre have applied to Leeds City Council for the erection of a garden centre at the Acanthus Golf Centre, Tingley.Charlie ...


Local Derby business acquires intellectual property of Internet Gardener 8 October 2020

ARB & Grounds, a garden machinery business in Derby has recently acquired the intellectual property of The Internet Gardener Ltd meaning they now own the website www.internet gardener.co.uk. The site had been running since 2006 by a family owned ...


Greener homes, jobs and cheaper bills on the way as government launches biggest upgrade of nation’s buildings in a generation 8 October 2020

Homes, schools and hospitals across England are set to be greener and cheaper to run thanks to a £3 billion plan to upgrade the nation’s buildings – the biggest in a generation. From 1 October, homeowners can sign up for big savings on upgrades to ...


Decorators talk about life on new Dulux Academy Podcast 7 October 2020

There is a glossy new arrival to the world of podcasting as the Dulux Academy takes to the airwaves for the very first time. The Dulux Academy Podcast: Life as a decorator features the voices of the nation’s professional painters and decorators, ...


Tong Garden Centre shortlisted in Yorkshire business excellence awards 7 October 2020

Directors and staff at a Bradford Garden Centre are celebrating after being announced as a finalist in the 15th annual Yorkshire Post Excellence in Business awards.Tong Garden Centre has been shortlisted in the Outstanding Employer category that ...


Norton Clipper provides the knowhow with new Diamond Blade campaign 6 October 2020

Norton Clipper has launched its new multi-channel colour coded campaign to ensure trade professionals are getting the most out of their diamond blades.The new campaign aims to take the stress out of the selection process. Featuring online as well as ...


Dulux Decorator Centre expands filler range with innovative new products  6 October 2020

Dulux Decorator Centre has introduced a new wider range of fillers that promise to create the perfect finish every time. The specialist paint retailer is proud to be the first to stock the brand new Toupret Joint, Skim & Fill range in the UK. ...


Draper Tools reveals Britain’s most feared DIY jobs 5 October 2020

Two thirds of adults have a DIY job they're too scared to do - with wall-mounting a TV, putting up a shelf and replacing a tap among the most fear inducing tasks. Researchers who polled 2,000 UK consumers found the average person has four DIY jobs ...


The Branded Tile Company offers unique UK designer tiles 5 October 2020

The Branded Tile Company launched receently, a little delayed due to the current circumstances, but with a great team and product pipeline.The UK tiling market has some great products and retailers, it also has a growing number of customers that ...


New dates for PATS Sandown 2021 announced 2 October 2020

Organisers of PATS Sandown have announced the show will be moving to a new date in 2021. The two-day pet industry exhibition will now be held on Tuesday, May 11th, and Wednesday, May 12th, again at Sandown Park, Surrey. The decision to move from the ...


Revealed: The hardest and easiest places to get planning permission 2 October 2020

As working from home becomes the new ‘normal’ and the country adapts to new ways of living, working and socialising, many of us are now looking to renovate our homes to gain some all-important extra space. Large home improvements like extensions and ...


Hansa joins forces with Lawn Care Legends to give away £2,600 chipper 1 October 2020

Lawn care professionals, landscapers and gardeners can be in with the chance of winning a top of the range Hansa chipper, worth £2,600, as part of a giveaway with Lawn Care Legends.Hansa has donated one of its C7 chippers to the annual Lawn Care ...


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Latest reader comments

re: Latest update on Green Homes Grant and implications for homeowners and landlords

John Hart
After applying for a green homes how long will it take for a decision? thanks...

re: SX Rainproof Exterior Caulk

Wally
I need the exterior sx rain resistant caulk! Can't get it anywhere so please help! How can I order it? Need it yesterday...

re: BCT can replicate any material in a ceramic tile

Christina Tiritanou
Not sure if you can help as I require a tile which has the measurements of 6”x 6”? Thank you....

re: Latest update on Green Homes Grant and implications for homeowners and landlords

colin thompson
SarahVery clear and helpful information.Thanks...

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