NEWS Jewson launches new biggest branch in Luton


Leading UK builders merchant Jewson has officially opened the doors to its new Luton branch – its largest in the UK.


In a vibrant festival-themed celebration, hundreds of builders, tradespeople and young people came together to get a first look at everything the new 6.5 acre branch has to offer, including over 11,000 products on site, the most in any Jewson branch across the country.


The new branch showcases a wide range of services to help customers with their projects


such as drive in loading, covered timber, a huge tool hire range, 24/7 collection lockers, electric vehicle chargers, extended workwear and power tool ranges, paint mixing, workwear printing, project estimating, and free food and drink for customers visiting throughout the day.


The branch is also home to Jewson’s first-ever Sustainability House, a full-scale mock home showcasing products from its Building for the Future range. As part of the event, darts legend James Wade, Sky Sports presenter Emma Paton,


Bira calls for fresh thinking from new ministers on key business issues


rates reform and reconsider employment legislation following the Prime Minister’s shake-up of his top team. Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira, said: “As the dust settles on all the ministerial changes, we hope that we do not lose momentum as new ministers become acquainted with their new roles. We would also like to see some new thinking from the new ministers with regards to business rates reform and the employment rights bill. “Despite Treasury declaring


Bira, a leading retailers association for independents, has said the government’s major ministerial reshuffle must bring fresh perspectives to critical policy areas that are hitting small businesses hard.


The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) is urging new government appointees to prioritise business


BHETA to run webinar series on working with ai BHETA is running


a programme of events on best practice with artificial intelligence (AI), designed to help members understand the technology,


identify practical applications, and make confident, commercially sound decisions. The BHETA webinar series


4 DIY WEEK SEPTEMBER 2025


the introduction of permanently lower multipliers for business rates, many thousands of independent retailers will be paying more business rates next year. The Employee Rights Bill has many changes that will make it harder and more expensive to employ people, with a disproportionate impact on smaller businesses. These are two key policy areas that require fresh thinking, and hopefully the changes in government personnel will take up the challenge.”


will cover everything from supply chain optimisation to marketing content, with input from technology experts as well as sector specialists across the strategic and practical essentials Commenting on its AI webinar series, BHETA’s Marketing Director, Steve Richardson said, “Artificial intelligence (AI) is already influencing how suppliers and retailers design, market, and distribute products,


and the opportunities – and risks – are real and immediate. Details of the BHETA AI webinar series are available at www.bheta.co.uk/event/ai


and Luton footballing heroes John Hartson, Tom Lockyer and Mick Harford, attended and played games with the guests, alongside musical performances, food trucks and much more.


The branch was officially opened by Councillor Amy Nicholls, the Mayor of Luton, who described the site as “more than just a builders’ merchant”. Instead, she said, it is a “hub of opportunity, supporting the hardworking construction professionals who keep the town growing, improving and thriving.”


Click It Flooring celebrates fifth anniversary


growth, and community commitment since its founding in 2020. From humble beginnings, the company has grown into a trusted name in the UK flooring industry – showcasing products that combine functionality with exceptional style.


Click It Flooring, the Batley- based national supplier of flooring is celebrating its fifth anniversary in September, showcasing innovation,


Beyond its commercial success, Click It Flooring has also earned recognition for its strong sense of social responsibility. The company has partnered with the Batley Multi Academy Trust, giving learners the chance to gain hands-on experience in business. Students will take on real-world challenges in social media, design, and research &


Over 40% of Britons believe they are capable of doing DIY jobs, according to new survey


Plastic sheets shop. co.uk recently conducted research into the DIY habits of Britons. How much DIY do we do at home and how extensive is our toolbox? The North East considers


itself the handiest region, while in other parts of the country, DIY is more likely to be outsourced.


Almost half of Britons are confident in their DIY skills. For example, 38% consider


development, helping them to build entrepreneurial skills. Yusuf Loonat of Click It Flooring reflected on the milestone by stating he was very proud for everyone associated with the company. He said: “Reaching five years is a proud moment for everyone at Click It Flooring. Our success has always been built on quality, innovation, and trust — but also on giving back to the community that has supported us. As we look to the future, we remain committed to pushing boundaries in our industry while continuing to invest in the next generation and support causes that really make a difference.”


themselves to be quite handy, although they prefer to leave the really difficult jobs to a professional. A select group (4%) see themselves as fully- fledged DIY experts and even help others. 50% of Britons feel capable but lack experience. Only 6% say they can’t do anything themselves, and a small proportion prefer to outsource jobs, even though they could do them themselves. Men are much more likely to pick up DIY tasks than women: 77% of men say they do DIY at home compared to only 36% of women. At the same time, just 4% of men say their partner does it, while nearly a third of women (31%) report that their partner takes care of it. The North East can call itself the province of DIY experts: 22% of residents consider themselves to be true craftsmen and women. Greater London (7%) and the North West (5%) also consider themselves to be quite handy. When it comes to outsourcing, Yorkshire and the Humber (7%) and the East of England (4%) are the most enthusiastic.


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