NEWS


World’s most sustainable brick launches on B&Q’s Marketplace


Kenoteq’s innovative K-BRIQ is now available at B&Q’s e-commerce Marketplace platform – diy.com. The K-BRIQ, already internationally recognised for its award- winning sustainability and striking aesthetics, is made from nearly 100 per cent recycled construction and demolition waste, offering an accessible, low-carbon


alternative for UK homeowners and DIY enthusiasts. Interest in the K-BRIQ has been fuelled by demand from architects and designers who previously specified the product for commercial projects and award-winning festival installations and are now seeking the same sustainability and performance for personal renovations and gardens.


Checkatrade names the UK’s ‘Top Tradespeople’


Responding to this enthusiasm, Kenoteq is expanding beyond the commercial sector and making the K-BRIQ available directly to UK homeowners and DIYers through B&Q’s Marketplace. “We’ve seen a remarkable shift in recent months,” said Dr Sam Chapman, executive director for Kenoteq. “Architects and designers who’ve specified K-BRIQs for major commercial


nights held across the country, 14 exceptional tradespeople were crowned winners in categories recognising their expertise, professionalism, and dedication to their craft, and one trade was chosen as the overall Trade of the Year – Dean Staniland, Pro Property Ltd, Sheffield.


Jambu Palaniappan, CEO at Checkatrade said: “We’re proud to celebrate the very best from across the UK. All these winners have been chosen and recognised for consistently going the extra mile, not just in the jobs they complete, but in how they show up every single day. “From every corner of the


Checkatrade, the leading UK home improvement platform, has announced the winners of its prestigious annual awards at a ceremony held at Wembley Stadium. Hosted by Sky News presenter Darren McCaffrey,


the Checkatrade Awards final brought together hundreds of the UK’s most skilled tradespeople to celebrate excellence, craftsmanship, and outstanding customer service across the trades industry. Following four regional awards


country, our winners have demonstrated what excellence truly means. They’ve raised the bar, reminded us what pride looks like in action, and shown the real impact of exceptional work. We’re incredibly proud to celebrate their achievements.”


Screwfix Foundation partners with Hospice UK to improve end-of-life care facilities


The Screwfix Foundation has announced a new charity partnership with Hospice UK - the national champion for hospices, representing the community of more than 200 across the UK. Hospices provide vital care to approximately 310,000 people each year, yet many face significant funding challenges. Together, we will deliver improvement grants to help hospices enhance their facilities,


making a real difference to those navigating end-of-life care. This collaboration reflects The


Screwfix Foundation’s ongoing commitment to supporting


local charities and not-for-profit organisations across the UK. John Mewett, Screwfix CEO and Screwfix Foundation Trustee, said: “We’re proud to announce this new partnership with Hospice UK to support them in making a real difference to those navigating end-of-life care. Improvement grants will play a vital role in enhancing comfort for hospice users and helping hospices improve their energy efficiency to reduce costs.”


British Garden Centres raises £52k for Greenfingers Charity


British Garden Centres has once again shown its commitment to Greenfingers by presenting the charity with a cheque for an incredible £52,000, raised through the charity’s 25th anniversary year, packed with fundraising activities across its 73 garden centres nationwide. Surpassing 2024’s £30,000 total, a big highlight of the year


6 DIY WEEK DECEMBER 2025


was Garden Re-Leaf Day, which raised an incredible £20,000 across the largest family-run garden centre group. Stores hosted bake sales, raffles, tombolas, car washes and competitions, all helping to make the day a success. Tring Garden Centre took the lead by hosting the Southern Garden Re-Leaf Walk, with staff and supporters stepping out to raise extra funds.


projects are now incorporating our bricks into their personal renovations and garden designs. This organic demand from design


professionals for their own homes showed us that the consumer market is ready for a truly sustainable building material.”


CitySprint and Wickes strengthen partnership


CitySprint, the UK same day distribution company, has announced a further extension to its partnership with leading British home improvement retailer Wickes. The extension will see the two partners continue their collaboration until 31 December 2027, building on the long-running and successful relationship that first began in 2016.


CitySprint will continue to


provide home delivery services from Wickes’ network of over 230 stores across the UK. This local fulfilment model ensures customers receive fast, convenient deliveries directly from nearby stores, improving service while reducing the environmental impact of long- haul transportation.


The extended contract reflects a key enhancement: reducing the pre-alerted delivery time window from five hours to four. This improvement will help customers plan their day more efficiently and reflects both businesses’ commitment to putting customer experience first. In addition, customers can now use their tracking link to choose a safe place for delivery, with couriers receiving the instructions instantly on their device. Launched in early November, this new feature makes secure, hassle-free deliveries even easier.


Jewson to sponsor darts legend James Wade


Leading builders’ merchant Jewson has announced a 12-month sponsorship deal with darts player James Wade, ahead of the 2025/26 Paddy Power World Darts Championship.


Teams throughout British


Garden Centres continued to raise money and awareness for Greenfingers in many interesting and creative ways.


James has spent more than two decades playing darts among the world’s elite, claiming multiple titles including the Premier League in 2009, The Masters in 2014 and the World Series in 2018. He is the number seven seed for the upcoming World Darts tournament, which will take place throughout


December and January. Sam Johnson, marketing operations director for Jewson, said: “James is a legendary darts player who lots of our customers, suppliers and team members will be familiar with, having cheered him on from home during many gripping matches over the years. “James displays similar traits to the tradespeople and builders we work with every day – precision, accuracy, consistency, professionalism, and performance under pressure, to name just a few – making him a great fit for our brand. He has also spoken openly about his challenges with mental health, something many people within the Jewson community and wider community are committed to supporting. “We wish James the best of luck with in the PDC World Darts Championship and look forward to working with him well into the future.”


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