PRODUCT INNOVATIONS Patch it up with Johnsons


Johnsons Patch Fix is supplied in a robust, ready to use plastic bottle with a flip top lid making it very easy to apply and use around the garden with the added benefit of keeping it in dry storage. Combining Gromore with 100 per cent dwarf amenity perennial ryegrass means it has plenty of nutrition to establish quickly in worn or pet-damaged areas, with the added benefit of providing a hardwearing lawn. Johnsons is proud to claim that the 1kg Patch Fix unit covers more patches, based on the same area as other patching products, than any other patching product on the market for a better retail price making it the class leader for value. 8For more information call 01386 791113, email info@johnsonlawnseed.com or visit www.johnsonlawnseed.com


Vin’s view!


Vin Vara, owner of The Tool Shop voices his opinion on the issues affecting the industry.


This coalition Government came in with a commitment to simplify planning.


currently being consulted on; the document sets out to promote both local decision making and a more responsive planning system. However it does not deal with the main failings of the current system – a cultural change necessary amongst planners and council members. Council planners and elected members, in the end respond


A


to those who shout the loudest instead of making decisions that plan our futures for the benefit of all. To make matters worse, the language used is alien to those who come across council planners. Modern planning is a catalyst for economic growth, which


Bayer launches two new competitions


Capitalising on the success of the ‘Win-a-Volkswagen-Beetle’ and ‘Win-a-shed-load’ promotions, Bayer Garden is launching two exciting on-pack promotions in 2012, one celebrating over 50 years of Phostrogen and the other supporting the Provado Ultimate Bug Killer. The first promotion will appear on Phostrogen packs. Product manager Laura Varey explained,“For over 50 years Phostrogen has been a favourite of gardeners everywhere and there seems to be no better way to celebrate than to thank the loyal consumers with a chance to win £50k!” One Phostrogen 800g pack will have a lucky golden ticket in it, which, along with their proof of purchase, will entitle the consumer to claim £50k! The second promotion – Win a Year Mortgage Free – will run on Ultimate Bug Killer packs. Every bottle of Provado Ultimate Bug Killer will be collared, with an individual URN number printed on the inside. By entering this code into the Bayer Garden website, the consumer could win a year free of mortgage payments! 8For more information call 0845 345 4100 visit www.bayergarden.co.uk


enhances the quality of life of our people in a sustainable way. A vibrant economy supports other aspects of our society e.g. housing, education, health, transport etc. Yet council officers and members seem to focus on the policing role rather than on economic development and growth. Local politicians are often quoted in local press objecting to development proposals – rarely do you see them support redevelopment proposals or explain council planning policies on the doorstop. After the riots in London Susie Burbridge, the Mayor of


Westminster, visited shops in Bayswater to lend support to riot hit local retailers. She listened to genuine local concerns including planning and agreed to arrange a meeting with senior officers. She also agreed that her council would be flexible in dealing with riot-hit businesses. Indeed, that evening the Prime Minister, in a press conference, also said that he expects Councils to be more flexible when he talked about reducing bureaucracy on businesses and reforming planning. Within two weeks of the riots, the planning department’s


enforcement officers started applying rules – no flexibility. They took exception to some fascia signs; they considered the signs were causing “substantial injury to the amenities of the area” – who knows what that means! The Council, when challenged, even agreed that the


signage did not require formal consent under current Planning Law: here was an opportunity to be flexible. Nevertheless, the officers wanted them removed within 28 days as they were “harmful to the amenities of the area” – a different set of words but still meaningless. This subjective assessment came with the threat of a “discontinuance notice”. The Notice can be appealed against – the appeal has to be made to the Secretary of State - so more cost to the hard pressed tax payers and businesses. One has to wonder, whether Councils are really supporting businesses or will localism mean even more unnecessary rules. 


simplified National Framework document was published and is


DIYRetailer.co.uk | Garden & Hardware News | 25


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