NEWS


BHETA advises housewares, garden and DIY members on bladed items legislation


The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) is updating members on the implications of the


latest


information from Government on the timing and scope of the proposed Offensive Weapons Act (OWA). The proposed legislation affects the sale of bladed items in the


housewares, DIY and garden sectors. BHETA has received details of the Government’s current position and attended a meeting with the Metropolitan Police to discuss its thinking on this most recent update. The Home Office Serious


Violence Unit has again confirmed that ‘it is the Government’s


DIY Expert Craig Phillips opens Tile Mountain’s Liverpool showroom


Tile Mountain, one of the UK’s fastest growing tile retailers, officially opened its Liverpool store on 25 September. Located in Unit 211, Edge Lane Drive, the new showroom spans 12,000 sq ft across two levels and showcases over one thousand tiles ranges and tiling accessories. The official opening was


hosted by DIY Expert and former Big Brother winner, Craig Phillips. There were goodie bags for the first 100 customers through the doors, tiling demonstrations by Craig, free popcorn, candy floss and balloons for children, plus, a 10 per cent discount on all tiles for the entire weekend. As


with Tile Mountain’s


position that these measures should be commenced as soon as possible’, but that it remains aware of the desirability of a three month notice period – which BHETA lobbied for in 2020 - to enable suppliers and retailers to adjust. Whilst most


legislation is typically


introduced in October or April, it is anticipated that guidelines for the Act may be confirmed before Christmas for commencement ahead of April 2022. Based on the current consultation


information originally put out in August 2019 this would mean that suppliers will need to adapt their packaging, presentation and, where remote sales are involved, delivery systems also. In all cases appropriate age verification systems are required for all retail and online sales such that the system employed ‘is likely to prevent persons under 18 from buying a bladed article.’ While the courts will be the final arbiter, all sellers including online sellers will be held responsible for the efficacy of the system. In store, it is likely that the use of Challenge 21/25 will be sufficient to avoid prosecution, leading to significant changes in packaging, presentation and POS as well as the training of retail staff. For online sales, clearly marked packaging will need to be supported by


New MKM Peterhead branch a big hit with customers


flagship Stoke on Trent showroom and siblings in Stockport, Birmingham and Manchester, the Liverpool showroom has been designed to offer an unrivalled tile shopping experience, providing an expansive and immersive retail environment with wide aisles, well-spaced display bays and plenty of room to browse freely.


MKM Building Supplies’ new Peterhead branch was music to the ears of the trade and general public recently, when the merchant officially opened the doors of its new flagship branch in North East Scotland. Customers that attended the launch event were treated to a special guest appearance from local radio presenter, DJ Graeme Strachan, who broadcast his popular Pub Shed Radio show live from the branch. Visitors on the day had the


Vistafolia to drive sustainability in sector through University of Surrey KTP


Globally renowned creator


and supplier of realistic artificial green walls, Vistafolia, has launched a pioneering collaboration with the University of Surrey to create a new base polymer, the material that their artificial plants are made from, using renewable sources, while maintaining the established safety and design standards of its market-leading product. Co-funded by Innovate UK, as part of the wider Knowledge


Transfer Partnership (KTP)


programme and by Vistafolia as part of their wider investment, this KTP project will see Vistafolia’s own research and development team working with two KTP Associates, Dr Elham Ketabchi and Dr Filip Ambroz, who, with the support of Dr Sadhukhan, Dr Roth and Dr Mohagheghian from the University of Surrey will transfer and embed their existing knowledge in biomass processing and materials science respectively,


to enable Vistafolia to become the first and only artificial plant manufacturer to move towards a bio-based polymer. The naturalistic green wall panels are currently produced to directly replicate the organic movement and texture of living walls, with each bespoke design being curated to fit the individual needs of the space and location, using a selection of


shapes and hues to add colour and dimension. The new


Weber barbecues officially opens its new European manufacturing and distribution centre


Weber Barbecues has officially opened its European-based manufacturing and distribution hub, helping


to streamline


UK production capacity and reduce environmental footprint from transportation. Weber’s new facility located in


6 DIY WEEK OCTOBER 2021


Zabrze, Poland, which has been certified by BREEAM, the world’s leading sustainability validation and certification system, improves the company’s ability to meet the fast-growing product demand within the UK. This includes supporting the customer journey


formulation will also replace the current fire-retardant additive with a more environmentally friendly version that will enhance the new product’s non-toxic and recyclable qualities, while also retaining a high standard of fire retardancy and UV stability. Paul Alder, managing director


with shorter delivery times and increasing production reactivity due to products now being shipped to the UK within Europe. “Our new manufacturing and distribution centre marks an important milestone in Weber’s global expansion and European growth,” said Chris Scherzinger, Chief Executive Officer of Weber. “A key element of our growth plans includes our ‘Make-Where- We-Sell’ strategy. This approach


of Vistafolia, said: “We are incredibly excited to be working with the University of Surrey on this revolutionary research project, uniting


meticulous


design with pioneering science to accelerate the creation of a


more sustainable offering for our clients.”


focuses on manufacturing high- quality Weber barbecue products closer to our retail customers and consumers, improving our delivery and service speed. We also gain considerable efficiencies operationally and a new level of flexibility to respond and react to local market dynamics and needs.”


first


The centre is the company’s manufacturing


facility outside the United States. www.diyweek.net product


chance to take part in a host of fun activities, including a Supermarket Sweep inspired game, which saw DJ Graeme give-away some fantastic MKM branded merchandise to customers live on air, from hoodies and t-shirts, to mugs and pens.


MKM also invited Linda Reid, a volunteer at Age Peterhead, a charity that provides vital services to the elderly and disabled people in Peterhead and the wider region, to officially cut the ribbon and declare the branch open.


builder’s merchant, which is conveniently


The new state-of-the-art located on a


two-acre site on the Sandford Business Park on the outskirts of the town, has already created 13 new jobs in Peterhead, with further opportunities on the horizon as the company establishes itself in the area.


correct delivery procedures including age verification of recipients, no locker or ‘safe place’ deliveries and collection point only where in-person verification can take place.


Age verification via payment system will not be acceptable and nor will any system which relies solely on information provided by the purchaser. For more information about


BHETA, BHETA lobbying and the BHETA responsible knife retailing campaign, please visit the BHETA website at www. bheta.co.uk.


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