Whether it’s the after effects of the recession or the bad weather that kicked off the start of 2010, flooring companies Topps Tiles and Carpetright have both seen a fall in share prices that could impact on projections for anticipated revenue for the year as a whole.
Carpetright, despite previous announcements that they were confident that the firm had not been hit too badly by the recession, have now issued a profits warning, despite a statement from the chairman and chief executive of the carpetting firm, Lord Harris of Peckham last month stating that expectations for the year as a whole remained unchanged. Sales generated in the carpet shops in the seven weeks leading up to 20th March dropped compared to the previous period however from 3.9% to 1.7% which is not good news for the flooring chain.
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Although most people enjoy spending time outdoors in the fresh air as a matter of course, evidence has shown that spending time outdoors gardening, even something as minimal as tending a window box, can help relieve the effects of depression and mental illness. There are other health benefits too, as the exercise that gentle gardening activities provides can help keep you fit, helping to prevent strokes and heart disease too.
There are a number of charities and projects across the country that offer gardening and growing opportunities, but you don’t have to have an allotment or huge garden to be able to begin enjoying the benefits of fresh air and potential health improvements. Whether you set up a few pots to grow flowers or vegetables, a window box or a few flower beds, it is thought that the act of caring for plants and taking responsibility for watering, feeding and pruning them is what helps people suffering from dementia or depression.
One charity gardening therapy project, Thrive, will be presenting a garden at the Chelsea Flower Show this year and will feature a large amount of plants grown by those using the service in Reading and Battersea. The chief executive of the charity, Nicola Carruthers, said that the use of gardening and spending time outdoors has been an established method used to help people recover from physical and mental problems throughout history. Read more…
Pest control problems in Worcester could increase following a decision by Worcester City Council to put an end to free pest control services for local residents. The council previously offered a subsidised service for dealing with pests such as squirrels and fleas that although causing a nuisance, don’t pose a public health hazard. Services for ridding homes and gardens of rats and mice however, which can carry disease, were free.
The Labour MP, Mike Foster, has expressed concern that the cuts made by the city council as part of budget cut backs will hit the poorer residents of the city who won’t be able to afford to get their infestation problem assessed and solved. He said,
“As always, it will be the people who are less well off who will be punished the most. There are some people who simply cannot afford to have the pests dealt with.”
The MP went on to express concern that not having an option for residents to solve their pest problems, be it wasps, mice or rats, particularly considering the amount of litter and rubbish left around on the streets, could end up causing infestation problems in the future.
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If you are installing a new light fitting then firstly you need to turn the electric circuit you will be installing the light on off at the mains. You can find out which is the correct lighting circuit by process of elimination. The correct circuit can be found by switching all the lights in your home on, then by turning each circuit off at the fuse box in turn, you will be able to see when the light you want to change goes out.
The next step is to decide where you would like the light to be positioned and clear away any furniture that may be in the way so you can put a ladder up safely if necessary. Mark out on the ceiling where the light is going to be placed (you will also need to do this on the floor above as you will need to add reinforcement). Then with the light off at the mains, you can find where the cables already run.
Pendant lights can be fitted to an existing lighting circuit which should be fitted with 1mm 2 twin earth cable. If the cables are in the loft then they will be fairly easy to find however if the cables are in the floor space then you will need to lift up the floor boards in the room above to gain access to them. If you are unsure at any point about dealing with electrics, you should contact a qualified electrician.
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Adding an outdoor light is a relatively easy task but you will need some basic electrical knowledge to do it correctly. You must always remember to follow the manufacturers instructions when fitting any new electrical equipment and if you are ever unsure or don’t feel completely confident dealing with electrics and wiring, then call a qualified electrician.
Under Part P of the electrical safety building regulations you are required to contact your local council to advise that you are going to install any circuits or electrical equipment outside your home. You will also need to pay a fee to have it tested when the installation is complete.
The first thing you need to do is turn off your electric supply which can be done at the main fuse box. A good tip is to put some electrical tape over the switch so it doesn’t accidentally flick back on, or somebody else in the house who doesn’t realise you’re installing the light doesn’t turn it back on and give you a nasty shock.
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Two new underfloor heating products have been added to the ranges available from Danish international company Danfoss. The products enhance the current heating and cooling equipment supplied by the global manufacturer, one being manufactured by Devi, part of the Danfoss group, and the other under the Danfoss name.
The first product is a high output underfloor heating mat which gives customers a solution to heating rooms with poor insulation such as cellars and conservatories. The electrically powered mat heats up at a much faster rate than other electric underfloor heating products available on the market, and is also suited to installation in smaller spaces such as downstairs toilets, utility rooms and small bathrooms.
The cabled underfloor heating mat is designed to keep the room it is installed in at a comfortable temperature, even in rooms that usually lose heat more quickly due to having cold concrete floors or insufficient insulation. They are also designed with easy installation in mind, being constructed from an open mesh with the heating cable running through it. The mat is simply rolled out onto a tile or concrete floor before being covered with a flexible tile adhesive which a new tiled floor can then be laid on. The mats come with the standard Devi 10 year guarantee and can be teamed up with thermostats from the Devi range for easy temperature control.
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As part of a programme of external renovation work being undertaken by South Tyneside Homes at properties in Biddick Hall, South Shields, tenants’ gardens, where possible, will become off road parking.
The plans, which include replacing old fencing with brick garden walls – a more durable and lower maintenance option for edging the properties’ gardens – are pleasing to a number of residents who are happy that they will have off road parking on a concrete driveway.
The work is part of the Decent Homes Programme, a government social housing improvement programme that aims to ensure all council owned propery meets a minimum standard by 2010. These standards include having reasonably modern facilities within the home, being weather proof and warm.
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Yesterday saw the Federation of Master Builders publishing their election manifesto which sets out 20 policy recommendations for the new government taking power at the next general election. The recommendations fall under three main categories that the FMB feels are key areas that the government needs to address in order to help the construction industry get back on its feet and get through the current economic downturn that has particularly affected the construction industry.
The three main areas identified by the FMB begins with development of skills and training opportunities, which includes a greater focus on apprenticeships and advises the government in particular to offer more incentives to companies that provide apprenticeships within the construction industry, and to put limitations on company eligibility to win building contracts for public sector development so that only those employing apprentices are able to be on procurement lists.
The second key area the professional body feels the new government should give attention to is green building and sustainable development. Not only would this help the UK reach its 2050 carbon emission reduction targets, but through changes to VAT and tax, empty properties and older homes that are not particularly energy efficient could be eco retrofitted. This would also have the added bonus of reducing the number of people living in fuel poverty as the amount of energy needed to heat and run their households would be reduced, and empty properties and derelict homes would be less likely to be left to deteriorate.
As part of the environmental improvements, the FMB also calls on the new government to improve recycling opportunities, both at local authority collection points and also in terms of encouraging the recycling of waste generated by the construction industry.
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Trading Standards officials are warning residents across the UK to be on the lookout for rogue traders offering free burglar alarms that have potentially expensive strings attached to them. The intruder alarms are being offered free or for a small installation charge, however by agreeing to have one of these burglar alarms fitted, unsuspecting customers are often signing up to expensive contracts that could result in costs of up to £6000.
Reports have been received across the country by different Trading Standards offices where residents are receiving cold call visits from alarm salesmen who use pressure sales tactics to play on the fears of consumers. In addition to claiming that areas have increased crime problems and the burglar alarms can act as a deterrent, there are also claims being made that they are affiliated with either the police or the Government – both of which are lies fabricated to dupe unsuspecting residents into signing up for a burglar alarm to be installed or to arrange a meeting to discuss an alarm installation, usually pushing for the meeting to take place on the same day.
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Just as people were getting to grips with their new HD ready TV, they’re about the become outdated. On Saturday 3rd April 2010, Sky will be launching the first 3D channel to be seen in the UK. Major television manufacturers such as Samsung, Panasonic and Sony have confirmed that they will have 3D ready televisions available for sale later this year.
The first programme to be aired on Sky 3D will be the Premier League match between Manchester United and Chelsea, and over 1000 pubs across the UK will have screens set up showing the football match in full 3D glory. As well as football, Sky will also broadcast a range of other types of programmes in 3D, so if you get the bug from watching the match, or watching films at the cinema in 3D has made 2D seem so last year, you will be able to watch documentaries, arts content, sport and movies by switching to Sky 3D.
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Whether it’s the after effects of the recession or the bad weather that kicked off the start of 2010, flooring companies Topps Tiles and Carpetright have both seen a fall in share prices that could impact on projections for anticipated revenue for the year as a whole.
