Author: James Anderson, FRSA, CMgr MCMI

By joining the well-established buying group, the merchant will now benefit from competitive deals with leading Suppliers. Colchester-based roofing merchant Total Roofing has become an NBG Partner, aiming to accelerate growth through improved purchasing power and the backing of a collaborative network of Suppliers and independent merchants. By joining a well-established buying group, Total Roofing will now benefit from competitive deals with leading Suppliers such as Sandtoft Roof Tiles, Etex Exteriors, Swish Roofline Plastics, Fakro, Keylite, Cromar and many others including deals outside of the Roofing Category aiding expansion and diversification of product ranges stocked and sold. As an…

Just because your bathroom is small, it doesn’t mean you have to compromise on style or function.From compact baths and slimline loos to floating furniture, clever tiling ideas and smart storage, these ideas will help you create a space that meets your needs without feeling cramped.Buying a new bathroom suite? Find out which are the best and worst bathroom brands according to our researchSmall bathroom design ideasConsider a folding shower screenIf your shower is over a bath, look for a sectional shower screen, with hinged panels that can fold up to save space.If you have a shower enclosure or want to squeeze…

Winners to be Honored at First Brick Excellence Gala on April 9 RESTON, Va., December 16, 2025–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Brick Industry Association (BIA) has awarded 42 winning projects in the 2025 Brick in Architecture Awards, the world’s leading design competition featuring fired-clay brick. “The winners demonstrate why brick matters as a sustainable building material offering exceptional durability, fire resistance, energy efficiency and the ability to achieve any aesthetic,” said BIA President and CEO Tricia Mauer. For the first time in the awards history, the winning projects and teams will be honored live on stage at the first Brick Excellence Gala on…

A man has been jailed for three and a half years for an attempted robbery in Brighton almost four years after the offence. Kyle Holmes, 31, tried to rob Paul Nicholas of a “man bag” and its contents on Tuesday 1 February 2022. Holmes, of Warrior Square, St Leonards, was jailed for 42 months by Recorder Ben Collins at Hove Crown Court on Friday (12 December). Holmes entered a not guilty plea at Lewes Crown Court before Judge Martin Huseyin on Wednesday 14 February last year. He was convicted by a jury on Friday 10 October this year at the…

Glenigan | Powered by Hubexo (Glenigan), one of the construction industry’s leading insight and intelligence experts, releases the December 2025 edition of its Construction Review. The Review focuses on the three months to the end of November 2025, covering all major (>£100m) and underlying (<£100m) projects, with all underlying figures seasonally adjusted. It’s a report providing a detailed and comprehensive analysis of year-on-year construction data, giving built environment professionals a unique insight into sector performance over the past year. The December Review indicates that UK construction is starting to take slow steps along the road to recovery, reflecting predictions Glenigan…

A rising wave of Generation Z workers is rejecting the traditional 9-to-5 office route and embracing skilled trades — and the shift is more than just a passing trend.A recent May 2025 survey by Resume Builder reveals that 42% of Gen Z are either working in or actively training for blue-collar careers, a startling departure from decades of college-bound convention. And in a surprising twist, many already hold university degrees.This trend reflects a broader cultural and economic shift, driven by rising tuition costs, concerns about artificial intelligence, and a desire for more tangible, hands-on work.Degree Holders Rethink Their Career PathsOf…

Many people turn up their thermostats in winterEmilia Randall GAU Writer11:50, 10 Dec 2025This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn moreThis radiator mistake could cost you(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)As winter firmly takes hold, many of us will be turning up our thermostats – but without adjusting your radiators accordingly, you could be wasting money. However, by using your radiator valves and boiler settings together, you can maximise the efficiency of the heat being pumped into your rooms.It is crucial to understand that the role of your thermostat is to signal…

The i Paper revealed the first UK cases of silicosis among workers cutting engineered stone in 2024 – the weight of medical evidence continues to grow – and the UK death toll The first UK cases of a deadly lung disease in tradespeople working with a stone popular in kitchen worktops were revealed by The i Paper in February 2024. Since then, the weight of scientific evidence, cases and the number of young men who have died from the disease a relatively short time after diagnosis have grown. Yet little action has been taken to end the unsafe working practices…

1. Strategically Plant Trees Image courtesy of Lee Gray Landscape Design, via @leegray_landscapedesign As summer approaches, you may be bracing yourself for an incoming AC bill. As the sun beats down on your home, this bill rises as you turn the AC up in an effort to keep cool. One way to limit the hot sun from baking your home is strategically planting trees that can offer your home some shade. Deciduous trees are best, as they will provide shade to your home’s windows and walls over the summer, but will let heat in in the winter, since deciduous trees…

15 Dec 2025, 00:01 Updated: 1d ago A survey of 2,000 adults found that almost half of women said they were confident in painting and decorating, compared with 28 per cent of men 15 Dec 2025, 00:01 | Updated: 1d ago Women more confident than men about DIY jobs, study suggests. Picture: Alamy Women are more confident than men in tackling DIY jobs around the house, research has suggested. Motoring and cycling firm Halfords said its study revealed a reversal from previous generations.Young women in particular were better at tasks including decorating, putting up shelves and bleeding radiators, and were…