NEWS NEWS IN BRIEF


n The Rainy Day Trust has announced that it has been granted Charitable Incorporated Organisation status by the Charity Commission which means that it can evolve and grow, delivering new services in partnership with both industry and other charities. The change took place on January 1, 2017. As part of the change, the trust has been given a new charity registration number of 1170878. n A Bristol couple were left “frustrated and appalled” after B&Q delivered them the wrong kitchen three times, leaving them without a kitchen in the run up to Christmas. Stella and Angelo Armato had been left without a kitchen since October after their old one was removed in readiness for a new Chesterton £13,700 kitchen from B&Q. B&Q then sent them units in the wrong size three times. B&Q has since apologised and promised to fit a new kitchen for free. n Lichfield-based garden centre Plant Plot has been bought by David Rusholme, who has revealed plans for a new cafe bistro and digital sales platform for the business. Mr Rusholme was able to complete the deal with the help of a funding deal with Yorkshire Bank. He said, “This funding from Yorkshire Bank has helped me make a life- changing purchase – I am excited to grow the business over the coming years through a new cafe facility and expansion of the centre.” n A three metre, light-up cherry tree, which stood in pride of place at the front of Fermoys Garden Centre in Ipplepen, Devon, was stolen just days before Christmas. The tree had been placed at the front of the store to inspire customers over the festive season, and its theft left members of staff devastated. Tweeting a picture of the tree, staff said at the time of the theft, “Last night at 3.32am one of our most featured light up trees was stolen! It’s not the value that counts, it’s the fact it’s a real Christmas piece of ours that we use to inspire people’s imagination so if anybody finds or hears of a 3m cherry tree appearing please let us know.”


4 DIY WEEK 20 JANUARY 2017


Wilko fined £2.2m after worker is crushed


Wilko has been fined £2.2m after a 23-year-old employee was crushed by a metal cage of paint, leaving her paralysed.


Corisande Collins, from Glenfield, was working at the store in Leicester when the incident occurred; she had been pulling a 230kg roll cage full of paint out of a lift when it toppled onto her. Wilko admitted failing to ensure the health and safety of its employees. The


prosecution for the


case, held at Leicester Crown Court, described it as a “high culpability” case as there was no risk assessment for the lift or use of roll cages. It also described the training and supervision at the store as


“inadequate.” Health and safety inspectors, meanwhile, said they were shocked by practices used at the store and said, “the systems were unsafe.” Ms Collins, who part-time


worked


at the Beaumont Shopping Centre branch while studying for a degree at Northampton University, now uses a wheelchair. Her family has said they will be seeking compensation now. Wilko has said that it accepted the ruling and would not


appeal. the retailer In a statement, said, “The greater


A Wilko employee has been left with life-changing injuries after being crushed by a roll cage of paint during a shift


penalty for all of us is, knowing that on this occasion we let one of our team members down. “We are truly sorry that this incident happened and for the


Theo Paphitis warns of “perfect storm” for retail


Owner of Robert Dyas and former Dragon’s Den star Theo Paphitis has warned retailers that they are facing a “perfect storm” this year as his retail group posted its full year results. Turnover at Robert Dyas fell


by 4.4% for the 2016 sales period. Mr Paphitis also saw a decline for his stationery business Ryman which dropped revenue by 2.5%, though his lingerie retailer Boux Avenue grew sales by 21.5%. He said, “Working with heritage brands Ryman and Robert Dyas that have both been around for over a century, the pace of change is more challenging and opportunistic than ever. Having started


the


Boux Avenue business only five years ago, even in this relatively short space of retail history, we have seen our business plan adjusted to take into account the momentous changes in


shoppers’ habits. “Retail, especially within bricks


and mortar in the UK, is facing the perfect storm. As mentioned above, changes in consumer habits, the impact of the weaker pound against


the dollar and


euro, coupled with increasing labour costs, the apprenticeship levy and the sucker punch in the lack of an honest and equitable reform of what is an archaic system of business rates. “The facts are that footfall and activity on our high streets and town centres are in decline but businesses like ours are about to see an overall increase instead of decrease in their rates bill in the next 12 months.”


Screwfix to open major new distribution centre


More than 700 new jobs are to be created at a £50m distribution centre for Screwfix in Staffordshire. The


purpose-built,


562,000sq ft warehouse has been planned for Prologis Park, Fradley. underway


and is


Work is expected


to be completed in October 2017. Screwfix already has a major warehouse in Stafford, employing hundreds of staff. Said the retailer’s supply chain, logistics and IT director Martin Lee, “The decision to construct


a warehouse near


Lichfield was taken to ensure we have the logistics infrastructure to support the needs of our


The 562,000 sq ft distribution centre will be a key support for the rapidly growing Screwfix store empire


expanding business. Adding one store per week to our network means we need to make sure we have the stock distribution in place to enable our busy trade customers to get what they want, when they need it from the nearest Screwfix, so they can get back to the job as


quickly as possible. “We will initially be recruiting 200 new warehouse colleagues and drivers and the number of


roles required will grow


to 700 to support its growth plan, representing a significant employment opportunity for the local community.”


impact it has had on Corisande, her family and those around them which the judge today recognised they have faced as a family and with great fortitude.”


Eliza Tinsley Ltd acquires RB UK Eliza


Tinsley


Ltd, supplier


for agricultural hardware, ironmongery and office furniture, has announced its successful acquisition of Bedfordshire based RB UK Ltd, which went


into


administration last month. “We are extremely fortunate to have acquired a company that has a fantastic synergy with our existing businesses,” commented ceo Rythm Jain Saigal. “2016 has been and continues


to be, a year of


challenges for many companies. We have a very successful track record of turning businesses around and there will be no exception with RB UK.” RB UK was founded in 1983 and of


is shelving, a storage


supplier and


shop fitting products to DIY retailers, builders merchants, independent retailers, wholesalers and charities. Ms Saigal added, “The addition of RB UK to the Eliza Tinsley family could not have come at a better time for us. As a business our focus is to acquire market leaders which will give us access to both new markets and new products. “Our


latest acquisition


will assist us in achieving our customer-led strategy which is to develop a comprehensive and cohesive one stop solution.”


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