News
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Progressive Fleets Must Make Insurance-worthiness Their Goal
Specialist fleet insurance broker, McCarron Coates, says insurance inflation, increased vehicle theft rates and a new motoring offence are three factors combining to make a fleet operation’s insurance-worthiness just as important a focus for professional fleet managers as their vehicles’
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Honest Communications unveils new influencer marketing platform
Home and garden specialist agency, Honest Communications, has launched a new influencer marketing platform designed to bring brands and influencers together. The aptly named Honest Network provides a unique way of connecting brands with the very best content creators in the industry, uniting…
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Cumbrian Garden Provides Canvas for ‘Tree Therapy’
When Levens Hall and Gardens, near Kendal in the southern Lake District, open its doors again on Wednesday March 27, the Elizabethan property and its stunning 10-acre gardens, including the world’s oldest topiary garden, will become a canvas for a season-long art exhibition inspired by trees. The…
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BCIS forecasts building costs to rise 15% in five years
Building costs will increase by 15% over the next five years, while tender prices will rise by 17% over the same period, according to the latest five year building forecast from the Building Cost Information Service (BCIS). Although the industry has emerged from a period of rampant inflation…
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OPRL awards ‘Recycle’ label to first seaweed-based packaging
A start-up business based in Wales is the first company to use the OPRL ‘Recycle’ label for seaweed-based packaging. PlantSea’s packaging comes in a range of weights and can be used to replace paper and card to make stationery, boxes and bags. Manufactured from seaweed-derived fibres blended…
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California Prunes collaborate with world-class athletes
The California Prune Board (CPB) has joined forces with a trio of leading Italian athletes as part of an EU and UK-wide social media campaign to highlight the nutritional benefits of prunes. World champion swimmer Simona Quadarella, who won two golds at this year’s World Aquatics…
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Where Saints Go Launch Ceramic Collection
Independent homeware retailer Where Saints Go is expanding its interiors collection with a new range of contemporary ceramics that is anything but ordinary. The luxury collection features vases and lamps inspired by traditional craftsmanship from across the world. From minimalist lamps exuding…
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Naturewall launch next generation SlatWall wood panels
Naturewall, the UK’s largest manufacturer of contemporary wall panels, has unveiled the next-generation of its SlatWall wood panels, which is stronger and more versatile than its predecessor. The new Slatwall uses the same premium quality materials as the outgoing version, but thanks to a unique…
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Wildflowers and wellness: Planting the seed for better mental health
As we approach Mental Health Awareness Week (13th-19th May), expert wildflower gardening company, Seedball is encouraging people to spend time outside enjoying nature – an activity which has been proven to enhance and improve mental health and wellbeing. In fact, a study of 20,000 people led…
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Six top tips on how Facilities Managers can keep buildings and grounds safe in storm-hit Britain
Following 10 named storms in the UK in the 2023-24 season already, facilities management provider 14forty has issued a list of tips to help businesses keep their property and grounds safe in snow, floods and wind. Each year, winter storms are named in alphabetical order. This time, Storm Agnes…
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Annual growth in construction tender prices continues to ease
Tender prices increased by an estimated average of 0.5% between 4Q 2023 and 1Q 2024, resulting in annual growth of 2.9% in the BCIS All-in Tender Price Index (TPI). This is down from a peak of 10.3% observed in 2Q 2022, according to the latest report from the Building Cost Information Service…
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Wilkinson Sword’s guide to preparing the ground for spring planting
Creating a thriving garden requires healthy soil that is rich in nutrients. If you want to ensure that your garden beds are ready for the upcoming growing season, now is the perfect time to start preparing them for planting. Wilkinson Sword has shared a guide on how to get soil into the best shape…
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Protecting outdoor furniture come rain or shine!
As the seasons change and temperatures fluctuate throughout the year, outdoor furniture becomes vulnerable to all the elements. Whether it's the scorching heat of summer, the chilling winds of winter, or the all too common downpour, outdoor furniture has a lot to withstand, so protecting it is…
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Work begins on £7.5m restoration of Newhaven Fort, revealing unseen areas
Construction workers have arrived on site to begin a milestone restoration project to transform Newhaven Fort - including opening hidden areas never seen by the public before. The £7.5 million restoration, which is taking place throughout 2024, means the Fort will remain closed to the public until…
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STA LAUNCHES NEW SKILLS HUB AND INSTALLER TRAINING SCHEME
In a move that will significantly improve access to high-quality timber skills training, the Structural Timber Association (STA) has launched an online Skills Hub incorporating its new STA Installer Training Scheme (ITS). The STA has a long history of providing skills training and the new hub…
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New for 2024! Seedball’s seed box collection grows with launch of large quantity boxes
Disruptive wildflower gardening company, Seedball, has expanded its existing seed box collection by introducing nine large editions, each containing an impressive 12 seed balls. The large seed boxes are beautifully illustrated with the flowers they include, as well as the wildlife that will love…
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The Perfect Summer Staycation at SCHLOSS Roxburghe, Scottish Borders
SCHLOSS Roxburghe, a beautiful historic manor house set in the elegant countryside of the Scottish Borders, is an idyllic choice for a UK staycation this summer, conveniently located just over an hour’s drive from both Edinburgh and Newcastle. With the opening of a range of new cottages, a…
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Fly fishing on the rise with Gen Z: how to lure them in at SCHLOSS Roxburghe in the Scottish borders
High-resolution fishing and hotel images available here If you’re planning a family holiday in 2024, you might be surprised to learn that the kids are just as likely to want to pick up a fishing rod as they are their iPad. Fishing was once considered a hobby exclusive to older generations, but in…
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Bringing Silver Screen Classics Back to Life: Mitchell & Brown Answers Retailer Call for DVD Player Revival
The independent retailers' dedicated TV and AV brand has launched a fully featured DVD player for customers who still love old movies on silver discs. Wednesday 20th March: Bolton-based Mitchell & Brown has made a surprise new product announcement with the launch of its JB-DVD1811 DVD player. This…
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Art Basel, Marvel and Matisse: highlights of Basel’s creative calendar in 2024
Home to globally-renowned art fair Art Basel, as well as over 40 museums in just 37 square kilometres - one of Europe’s highest concentration of museums - Basel is a must-visit for art enthusiasts. Basel offers a year-round calendar of exciting events and exhibitions, and this year is no…
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From the Olympic Capital to the City of Light: Discover Lausanne's Sporting Legacy ahead of Paris 2024
With the Olympic flame burning brightly and a series of engaging events lined up, Lausanne is not just a city to watch but a destination to experience firsthand. In an era where sport and leisure blend seamlessly, Lausanne emerges as a quintessential destination for aficionados of both. The…
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MARTINHAL FAMILY HOTELS & RESORTS, PORTUGAL
Martinhal Family Hotels & Resorts has been renowned for providing luxurious family holidays since the opening of its first resort in 2010. Martinhal is helping more families have a holiday together to remember at their properties: Martinhal Lisbon Oriente, Martinhal Quinta, Martinhal Sagres and…
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elho’s essential ‘Grow Your Own’ innovation awarded coveted Which? Best Buy
Plant pot innovator elho has been awarded the prestigious Which? Best Buy for its bestselling green basics grow pot, it has revealed. An essential in every retailer’s ‘grow your own’ offering, the popular product has topped the sustainable pots trial, receiving praise for being easy to use and…
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UK lifts tariff on California Prune juice
The California Prune Board (CPB) has welcomed UK Government’s decision to suspend the UK import tariff on prune juice and prune juice concentrate. The announcement follows an application led by the CPB through the Nut & Dried Fruit Trade Association (NDFTA), on behalf of its UK trade members.…
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Horizons Clinic Gambia Limited secures US$16.8 million financing from Afreximbank that will transform healthcare in The Gambia
Banjul, The Gambia, 18 March 2024: The Horizons Clinic Gambia Limited (HCGL) has successfully executed a bespoke US$16.8 million Construction and Medical Tourism Relay Facility Agreement with African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank). Afreximbank’s extensive structuring and technical experience was…
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LittleLife's latest innovation - The Adventurer S3 Child Carrier
The Adventurer S3 is the latest back carrier from LittleLife, offering complete peace of mind for families that want to enjoy the outdoors together. Packed full of features, it has an aesthetically rugged appeal, super strong fabrics and lightweight tubular aluminium frames. The Adventurer S…
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Cumbrian Garden is Perfect Canvas for ‘Tree Therapy’ Outdoor Exhibition
The stunning ‘canvas’ provided by the world’s oldest topiary garden, other beautiful themed garden areas and one of the country’s most renowned Elizabethan halls is set to exhibit even more artistry in 2024, beyond that of perfectly clipped trees and stunning beds and borders. Levens Hall…
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Growth in housebuilding cost inflation unchanged from last quarter finds BCIS
Annual housebuilding cost inflation, as measured by the BCIS Private Housing Construction Price Index (PHCPI), continued to cool in 4Q 2023, standing at 1.7%, down from a peak of 15.3% in 2Q 2022. On a quarterly basis, this represented no change compared with 3Q 2023, the Building Cost Information…
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Salinity Solutions Secures £1 Million Investment From SQM Lithium Ventures
Monday 18th March, 2024 – Salinity Solutions, an engineering tech start-up based in Birmingham (UK) has secured a GBP £1 million initial investment from SQM Lithium Ventures to fund the next stage of its growth. SQM Lithium Ventures, in return, will take ownership of a minority stake in the…
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2024 Bupa everywoman in Technology Awards Winners Announced
Celebrating the Most Inspirational Women in STEM 14 March 2024: The winners of the 2024 Bupa everywoman in Technology Awards have been announced, celebrating the most inspirational women working in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Now in their 14th year, the awards shine a…
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Product overview: kneelers, tidys and gloves for sorting out borders
Town & Country has a handy range of gardening tools and accessories, perfect for sorting out borders ready for new spring planting. Memory Foam Double-Wide Folding Kneeler RRP £19.99 This 2-in-1 folding kneeler offers a comfortable cushion whilst planting new bulbs and tidying up…
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New Children’s Play Park Opens at Leonardslee
Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens has opened an extensive new play park designed to mix recreational play with the natural attractions of the Grade I Listed woodland gardens. The 2,500 square metre park offers immersive installations for children of all ages. A 5m multi-level champion tree tower with…
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Big and beautiful! The best trees to grow in pots this year
Planting large and luscious trees at home isn’t only for those with vast amounts of outside space. Many tree species thrive in pots and containers, meaning everyone can enjoy the benefits of beautiful branches, with the added ease of container growing! Those who have balconies and patios can also…
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Focus SB MD attends Whitehall smarter regulation roundtable
On Thursday 29th February British electrical accessories manufacturer Focus SB’s managing director Gary Stevens attended a Smarter Regulation Roundtable in Whitehall with other selected SMEs, invited by Lord Johnson of Lainston, CBE, Minister of State for Investment - East Sussex, United Kingdom,
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Afro Baobab Events launches the first African-themed event company in the UAE
March 14, 2024, Dubai, UAE – Afro Baobab Events, the first African-themed event company in the UAE, today announced its official launch in Dubai. The event company specializes in crafting premium, personalized, and authentic experiences that celebrate African traditions and showcase African…
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The search for Britain’s best topiary artist: Henchman launches its inaugural Topiary Awards
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. Launching on 20th March 2024 to mark the first day of a new spring season, the awards have been designed to…
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Care UK’s Latest Care Home Opens in Style Thanks to TVC Technology Solutions
Care UK’s luxurious new Oat Hill Mews care home in Leicestershire gets the latest in Smart TV and digital signage technology from Bolton-based TVC Technology Solutions, in time for its recent opening. Oat Hill Mews is a stunning new development by Care UK, offering the best in assisted living…
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The Wellbeing/Advancement Equation: Solving for a Gender-Balanced Workplace
6 March 2024: While pioneering, innovative and exciting in many ways, the tech sector also harbours unique stressors and barriers that impact the lives and careers of the women who currently make up 26% of its workforce.[1] Previous studies have laid the groundwork in highlighting the wellbeing…
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Leading ladder specialist receives prestigious double global design award for setting a new standard
Leading garden ladder specialist, Henchman, has been awarded the prestigious iF Design Award 2024 for not one, but two of its pioneering garden products - the Fully Adjustable Tripod Ladder and Henchman Lifting Harness. Created and produced in partnership with Tone Product Design, both of…
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Creatives shun AI as cheating, says new research from Designit
London, 11th March 2024: Creatives are continuing to play it safe when it comes to using AI and avoiding it in the belief that it’s a ‘creative cheat’, according to new research from Designit, the Wipro-owned global experience innovation consultancy. Some 84% of creatives see AI as merely a…
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California Prunes and the Royal Osteoporosis Society renew collaboration for a third year
California Prunes and the Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS) have once again joined forces to promote the positive effects prunes can have on skeletal health. The ROS is the UK’s largest national charity dedicated to improving bone health and beating osteoporosis. The charity equips people with…
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Discover World-Class Golf Courses, Flexible Membership Options, and Exceptional Amenities in the Heart of the Sussex Countryside
Mannings Heath Golf Club is delighted to extend an exclusive invitation to golf enthusiasts to join the prestigious club. Situated in the picturesque Sussex countryside, Mannings Heath offers a unique blend of tradition, modern flexibility, and unparalleled golfing experiences. As a member of…
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A Brush with Brilliance: Roy Lichtenstein's 100th Birthday Gala at ALBERTINA Museum, Vienna
To celebrate the 100th birthday of the legendary Pop Art master Roy Lichtenstein, the ALBERTINA Museum in Vienna proudly presents a monumental retrospective that promises to be a fitting tribute to his remarkable artistic achievements. The exhibition, in collaboration with the Roy Lichtenstein…
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Masterplan approval granted for new Brabazon neighbourhood
South Gloucestershire Council has passed a resolution to grant planning approval for the revised masterplan for Brabazon, the thriving new neighbourhood for South Gloucestershire and Bristol being built by YTL Developments on the historic former Filton Airfield. As the birthplace of Concorde and…
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Inspiring Change - How One Woman is Empowering Girls with the support of other women
The theme for this year's International Women’s Day is ‘Invest in Women and accelerate progress” and one Manchester-based woman is doing just that all with the support of other women. Sophie Koumides who lives in Manchester is the founder of See Her Potential, a theatre company. The…
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SnackEase - Graco's newest highchair saves family time and space
Graco bolsters its homecare range with SnackEase, a new highchair that folds fast, folds compact, and stands upright when folded. Coming in at just £60, this highchair provides a budget-friendly and space-efficient solution to mealtimes as a family. Lightweight at only 6.25kg, it makes the one-hand…
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Graco launches DuoRider, a side-by-side solution for growing families
For parents looking for a lightweight double pushchair packed full of features, the Graco DuoRider delivers an incredibly competitive offering at just £150. The Graco DuoRider is the ideal double stroller to support busy families, offering a hassle-free way to transport little ones. Seating two…
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Take a load off from heavy gardening tools with the new Henchman Lifting Harness
Gardeners don’t need to worry about aching arms and strained backs when using heavy equipment and tools, thanks to the new Henchman Lifting Harness from Henchman. The leading ladder specialist, which is well known in the horticulture world for its adjustable tripod ladders and high-step platforms…
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New Guidance Based on the Scottish Government’s Health and Social Care Standards Aims to Improve the Quality of Care for Vegetarians and Vegans
Vegetarian for Life (VfL) and the Care Inspectorate have collaborated to produce new guidance on good care for vegans and vegetarians. The self-evaluation tool and guidance are based on the Scottish Government’s Health and Social Care Standards. The Health and Social Care Standards set out what…
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Newhaven Enterprise Zone boosts art scene with £160,000
A programme of grassroots arts events will continue in Newhaven thanks to £160,000 of funding from Newhaven Enterprise Zone. Art gallery Towner Eastbourne will use the money to stage a series of small to medium scale creative events across Newhaven during 2024 to build on its success. Towner…
