FEATURE: MADE IN BRITAIN
BRICKMAKERS QUALITY CHARTER RAISES STANDARDS AND RETIRES 1-STAR RATING IN ‘BETTER WITH BRICK’ CAMPAIGN
THE BRICK DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION (BDA) has announced the removal of the 1-star rating from its Brickmakers Quality Charter (BQC) scheme, reflecting a commitment to continuous improvement and aligning with the higher standards mandated by the UK’s Building Safety Act 2022 and Future Homes Standard. This move, part of the ‘Better with Brick’ campaign, underscores the BDA’s dedication to promoting safer, more sustainable, and higher-quality clay bricks for future generations. “The introduction of the Building Safety Act and Future Homes Standard presents an opportunity to reshape the industry for the better,” said Keith Aldis, CEO of the BDA. “By removing the 1-star rating from the BQC and focusing
on 2 and 3-star certifications, we are actively raising the bar for higher levels of quality and performance from brickmakers.” The Building Safety Act sets stricter requirements for fire safety, structural integrity, and construction product regulations. The Future Homes Standard mandates sustainable, low-carbon homes
BRITISH WEATHER DOESN’T DAMPEN SPIRIT FOR NEW HMG GARDEN PAINT
Despite one of the wettest starts to the year on record customers are starting to plan for brighter days with HydroPro Garden Paint from HMG Paints. The product is set to build on the success of HMG Paints’ previous exterior coatings, which have proved extremely successful since the pandemic.
This year also sees two new vibrant colours enter the colour palette for HMG Paints. The first of the new colours is Spring Yellow, which is sure to brighten up any garden no matter the weather. Cherry Blossom Pink is another bold colour to join the range and is proving popular in early product sales. With new colours also comes new uses, the new
HydroPro Garden Paint is ideal as a fence and shed paint but can also be used on terracotta pots and concrete, making it the perfect choice for use across the whole garden. HydroPro Garden Paint is water based and low VOC making it a perfect choice for consumers looking to refresh their garden ahead of the summer. The product can be applied by brush, roller and even spray meaning it’s also ideal for commercial products.
with improved energy efficiency. By aligning with these legislative initiatives, the BDA ensures that the clay bricks used in the UK’s built environment meet the highest standards for safety, sustainability, and performance. This move towards higher standards isn’t just about legislation, it’s about empowering consumers and promoting confidence in the built environment. “We believe residents deserve peace of mind knowing their homes are constructed with safe, high- quality materials,” said Keith. “Removing the 1-star rating clearly communicates our commitment to achieving this objective.”
For more information, please visit
www.brick.org.uk
LATEST HTA MONTHLY MARKET UPDATE REPORTS A SURGE IN SALES
The Horticultural Trade Association (HTA) has released its April 2024 Market Update, showing that despite another wet and rainy month in March, garden centre sales surged by +22% compared to March 2023, helped by the earlier Easter. Catering sales were also up by +17%. Consumer confidence also remained stable from February, showing a +15- point increase over March 2023. Fran Barnes, Chief Executive of the HTA, comments: “Wet weather continues to dominate this year’s narrative, presenting historically wet and dull conditions, with 127% of the long-term average rainfall across the UK. Although drier and sunnier than in March 2023, the month posed challenges to crop production. However, we saw garden/gardening categories and non-garden/gardening categories with food-related categories such as catering and food & farm shop contributing greatly to these sales percentages, doing impressively well last month, up +17% and +32%, respectively, compared to March 2023. Footfall was also strong for both comparisons between March 2023 and March 2022. This was likely helped by Mother’s Day sales and the Easter bank holiday falling almost a month earlier this year. The HTA report offers key insights and strategic
recommendations for retailers. Members can read the full report on the HTA website at
https://hta.org.uk
HELP THE NATION WELCOME PRICKLY VISITORS WITH GARDMAN
A shift in consumer behaviour over the past few years now means many gardeners are increasingly searching for ways to re-wild their outdoor spaces and make them beneficial for nature. As part of Hedgehog Awareness Week (5 -11 May), Gardman, part of Westland Horticulture, is urging DIY retailers and garden centres to ensure they have a varied range of products in store that inspire consumers to provide nature with a home. Gardman offers a wide range of products that support biodiversity in gardens, and its hedgehog collection offers shoppers the opportunity to create a sanctuary for them in their garden, from safe shelters to specially developed food. The Gardman range can be ordered 24/7 via Westland Live, and frequent top-ups are easy as part of a Westland weekly delivery. Sign up at
https://trade.westland.com
24 DIY WEEK APRIL 2024
HENCHMAN LAUNCHES THE SEARCH FOR BRITAIN’S BEST TOPIARY ARTIST
Calling all budding home gardeners and topiary artists! Henchman, the leading garden ladder expert, is on the lookout for Britain’s best topiary artists to enter its inaugural Topiary Awards.
Launched on 20th March 2024 to mark the first day of a new spring season, the awards have been designed to celebrate the art of topiary and recognise those who demonstrate exceptional skill, creativity, and passion in shaping and maintaining incredible living sculptures. With two categories announced – one for best professional topiary and one for best home garden creation – individuals of all backgrounds and skill levels are encouraged to enter their favourite pieces of work.
An esteemed panel of topiary experts and horticulturalists including; Elizabeth Hilliard, Editor of European Boxwood and Topiary Society (EBTS) magazine TOPIARIUS; Michael Buck, Head of Horticulture at Creepers Nursery; Andy Bourke, professional topiarist and better known as The Hedge Barber; and Owen Simpson, Managing Director at Henchman, will evaluate each submission based on creativity, craftsmanship, and overall impact. The winners will then be announced at this year’s RHS Hampton Court Flower Festival, where they will receive a trophy, a high-value prize bundle of Henchman products, an annual membership to the European Boxwood and Topiary Society and a day trip for two to one of the EBTS UK’s day-long garden trips. To enter, simply submit photographs and a summary of your best piece of topiary before the closing date, 31st May 2024.
For more information on how to participate and for full terms and conditions, please visit
www.henchman.co.uk/ henchman-topiary-awards
www.diyweek.net
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