NEWS


Coleman’s GC announces £5million investment


Templepatrick-based garden centre


Coleman’s


has unveiled plans for a £5 million investment to renovate and extend its facilities over the coming months, with an official opening of the new site expected this autumn. Phase one renovations of the


garden centre, which is currently situated on a 10-acre site, features an 18,000sq ft building consisting of a garden centre and restaurant.


This first stage of the project


will officially open later in the year, following the demolition of the current retail shop. The new restaurant and shop will be a licensed 200-seat establishment. Managing director Richard Fry commented: “Phase one is well underway and we are excited to see our plans take shape. By adding an extensive variety of exclusive retailer and brands to the garden products and services we already offer, we hope to attract a wider audience from the local area and beyond, by way of our new 200-seat restaurant, to provide them with an eating experience of the highest standard right on their doorstep. In addition, this new development will create around 100 new jobs in the area.” The initial stages of the site’s


renovation project will then be complemented by phase two – the opening of an additional 32,000sq ft of garden centre retail.


Glee puts on a good show with a fresh look


Organisers put on another successful Glee this month, with over 550 suppliers to the garden retail sector exhibiting at the NEC, Birmingham. Key features proved to be the Innovators Zone which offers start-up companies an opportunity to break into the industry and the new Retail Lab, which was created by a panel of experts to showcase significant consumer themes. One of the key trends identified in the garden retail industry was the increasing popularity of horticulture within the younger generation. Freddie Lintell from Smart Plant explained why the plant identification app had sparked interest over the first two days at Glee: “People have definitely been interested in talking to us because of our appeal to the younger demographic. We’ve seen that our new users are 25-35 years old which is been quite


interesting for garden centres and the whole horticulture industry when trying to engage with a younger audience.” Glee had updated its branding and delivered a fresh new look for 2017, which was designed to be more modern and relevant. While some exhibitors DIY


Week spoke to suggested visitor numbers appeared to be down this year, they were pleased with the quality of the people they saw. Fallen Fruits Shaun Wixey said the show had seemed quiet on the Monday and Tuesday morning, adding: “In some ways that is actually a bit better because you aren’t too busy to speak to people. We’ve been very happy with the visitors we’ve had on stand.” Gardman’s newly-appointed


sales director Mark Portman had a good show, which marked his debut at the event. “Having spent three days here, I can absolutely see why Glee exists,”


he told DIY Week, “we will definitely have a presence here again next year.”


Glee saw many new exhibitors. Speaking to DIY Week on the second day, Jenny Brown from Potters Crouch Candles said: “I don’t think people come here for candles; I believe we are the


Homebase halts home delivery as website is revamped


Homebase’s home delivery service has temporarily halted as new owners Bunnings works


web platform. Wesfarmers,


to introduce a new which


owns


Bunnings, acquired Homebase last year as part of an attempt to enter the UK’s DIY retail market. The revamped website model comes after Wesfarmers released figures for the


six


months ending December 31, 2016,


revealing an operating revenue for Bunnings UK and


Ireland of £612 million with a loss before tax and interest of £28 million. The company said: “This is temporary and part of the website re-platform to make it easier for customers to browse our great ranges, advice and ideas, During this time shoppers will still be able to browse the site and check stock availability.” A string of Homebase stores have been converted, with plans


to have 15-20 of operating as Bunnings warehouse stores by the end of this year.


Mica gala dinner raises record figure for RDT


The co-operative group of independent retailers raised a record figure for its charity partner the Rainy Day Trust at its annual gala dinner. The dinner, which was held on the final night of Mica’s annual conference and Exchange that took place over the weekend of September 23-24, raised £917 thanks to donations from guests on the night. The final total is expected


to exceed £1,100


pounds when Gift Aid is taken into account. This is the largest sum raised at the annual Mica Dinner for the Rainy Day Trust. The Trust does an important


www.diyweek.net


job, supporting those in the hardware industry who have fallen on hard times, providing grants; free


legal with housing advice


“This is a fantastic donation to a very deserving cause,” said MICA CEO Michael Ball. “Many thanks to everyone attending for digging deep and to Stax, Murpak, Akzo Nobel, Crown, Ronseal, Newsome Tools and Mica members for all providing additional prizes to make it a real wow prize table.”


advice,


debt advice and telephone counselling; and through a partnership


Shelter, free


The top prize of a weekend hotel break with dinner for two sponsored by Mica & Murpak, was won by David Hidgcock of David Neill Mica Home & DIY.


coincidentally, Daughter-in-law


Becki Hidgcock won the giant Dulux dog, and


Paul


Thornell of RKW seated at the same table won the widescreen TV provided by Stax Trade Centres. Read more about the MICA Exchange event in the next issue of DIY Week.


only candle place here.” The company benefited from good exposure when its products were chosen to appear in the Retail Lab trend worlds but was unsure it was reaching its target audience at Glee. “We’re still not sure whether we feel the show is for us,” said Mrs Brown.


Akzo Nobel plans world- class plant


Akzo Nobel’s Specialty Chemicals


business is


studying plans to build a world-class plant for its Bermocoll business, which supplies essential ingredients for the paint and buildings and construction industries. This comes after an announcement from Akzo Nobel in March 2017 stating there will be a review of strategic options for the separation of its Specialty Chemicals business.


The study for the plant – expected to be completed by the end of 2017 – is focused on creating a new facility to increase production capacity for EHEC cellulosic ethers to help meet growing global demand. A number of locations are being considered for the new EHEC plant including options to expand operations at the company’s existing production sites. “Demand for


Bermocoll in the building is


growing strongly due to the rising consumption of water- based paint and continued growth


and


Mr David Hidgcock, centre, with sons Jordan (left) and Mark (right).


construction industry,” explained Geert Hofman, general manager at Akzo Nobel’s Bermocoll business. “Building a new facility will enable us to support that market growth.”


29 SEPTEMBER 2017 DIY WEEK 3


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