Author: James Anderson, FRSA, CMgr MCMI

A good paint job can elevate a room instantly – but a bad one is just as quick to disappoint. While painting might seem straightforward, professionals know that small mistakes can quickly lead to patchy walls, wasted time, and disappointing results.That’s why it helps to understand exactly what not to do. From choosing the wrong paint to skipping key prep steps, paint experts follow a few non-negotiable rules when decorating their own homes.By learning which decorating mistakes professionals always avoid, you can achieve a smoother finish, better durability, and results that last. Here’s what one paint expert says they’d never…

If you’re accustomed to pouring all your liquids down the sink, it might be time for a rethink. Plumbing experts are warning Brits about an unexpected cause of ‘winter drain problems’ that often intensifies over the festive period.The culprit causing these sink blockages is not what you might expect – it’s a common condiment usually served with a roast dinner. While cranberry sauce, horseradish or mustard may spring to mind, Plumbworld specialists have identified gravy as the main Christmas offender.”Gravy is full of fats, oils, meat juices and thickeners that cool very quickly once they hit cold pipes,” the experts…

MB Scaffolding Ltd has applied to modify an existing licence to accommodate four goods vehicles at its premises. The full public notice detailing the application is available to view at publicnoticeportal.uk/notice/goods-vehicle-licensing/695e3ab949137e294fe31cd5?. Residents near the site who believe that they could be affected by the proposal should make written representations to the Traffic Commissioner at Quarry House, Quarry Hill, Leeds, LS2 7UE, stating their reasons. Feedback must also be sent simultaneously to MB Scaffolding Ltd at Old Taunton Road, Bridgwater, TA6 3NU. Representations are open until Tuesday, January 27. Read more here: Click Here

The 2025 Sussex Business Awards, organised by Platinum Media Group, was held at The Grand hotel in Brighton on December 4. Hosted by comedian Hal Cruttenden, the black-tie ceremony unveiled 16 winners, each of which were recognised for their strength, innovation and ambition. This year’s awards marked the events 37th year. Company of the year award – Dualit (Image: Platinum Media Group) The highest honour, Company of the Year, was awarded to Crawley-based, premium kitchen and catering equipment company, Dualit. The award recognised the businesses outstanding performance, enduring craftmanship and significant contribution to the region’s economic success. Other winners included…

Three key news stories unfolding as the UK stock market opens. Check out our companies reporting diary for upcoming results from FTSE 350 and selected international stocks. Topps Tiles [LON:TPT] issued a Q1 trading update this morning with revenues up 3.7%, a number that reflects outperformance of the wider market. Acquisitions are driving further growth potential for the business and management note confidence in posting another year of progress both strategically and financially. Reckitt Benckiser [LON:RKT] has this morning confirmed it will be returning £1.6bn to shareholders by way of a special dividend, following the disposal of its Essential Home…

During a meeting of the cabinet on Tuesday (September 23), it was agreed that the council would make the request in its local government reorganisation submission letter. Elections in the east and west of the county were due to be held in May but were postponed to allow the council to focus on the work needed after joining the government’s fast-track devolution scheme. Should the request for another cancellation be approved, most of the current crop of councillors would have held their seats for six years rather than four by the time the 2027 elections are held. Conservative councillor for Cuckfield…

New equipment at the MILGARD fiberglass plant that automates some processes to increase efficiency and quality control, while promoting a safe work environment for team members The facility’s upgrades enable tighter tolerances and cleaner lines, giving the soon-to-be-launched C700 line a fresh, modern design TACOMA, Wash., January 08, 2026–(BUSINESS WIRE)–MILGARD Windows and Doors, a manufacturer of vinyl, fiberglass, and aluminum windows and patio doors, and part of the MITER Brands™ portfolio, recently announced it has completed a significant renovation of its fiberglass window and door production facility in Tacoma, Washington, to drive innovation in 2026. After removing all existing assets…

SEW is also advising anyone whose water might “look brown in colour” following the resumption of service to “simply run the cold kitchen tap until it is clear”. And any water appearing “cloudy or white”, but which clears from the bottom upwards when placed in a glass, can be explained as being “just a little more aerated than usual”.Customers in the Kent village of Bidborough continued to experience intermittent supplies for much of Thursday, with tankers being used to inject water into the local pipeline network, SEW said.Incident manager Mike Court said: “While the picture is improving as leaks get…

Theo LeggettBusiness CorrespondentGetty ImagesIndustry discounts for electric vehicles are “unsustainable”, a major motoring group has warned, as the number of new cars registered in the UK exceeded two million last year for the first time since the pandemic.Nearly 500,000 of the new cars sold were electric, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).SMMT chief executive, Mike Hawes, welcomed what he called a “reasonably solid result amid tough economic and geopolitical headwinds”.But electric car sales were still not increasing fast enough to meet official targets, he said, warning of a growing gap between consumer demand and…

By Paul MurphyBBC Look North Environment CorrespondentThis is a significant development in the plans to dispose of nuclear waste on the Lincolnshire coast.For more than three years, Nuclear Waste Services has been eyeing up the former Theddlethorpe gas terminal as a suitable location for the land-based part of its geological storage facility or GDF.This facility would receive the nuclear waste before transporting it through tunnels to rocks deep beneath the sea.But, since NWS announced its plans in 2021, the gas terminal site has attracted other interest from other energy industries.There are proposals for a carbon capture and storage facility there,…