Author: James Anderson, FRSA, CMgr MCMI

Walk along the seafront or through the Lanes after a busy weekend and the evidence is hard to miss. Takeaway cartons wedged behind benches, coffee cups abandoned and the familiar tangle of plastic bottles, food wrappers and cigarette ends that accumulate wherever crowds gather. Even in quieter neighbourhoods, windblown litter gathers in gutters and hedgerows, creating a sense that the city is constantly fighting a tide of waste. I live near a very popular local burger chain. Outside the shop is a bin, but occasionally we get the odd wrapper or paper cup blown into our driveway. Last week was different. A…

Problem jobs meant losses at the UK business of Italian cladding firm Permasteelisa widened last year, the contractor’s latest accounts have revealed. The firm, whose current jobs include 50 Fenchurch Street for Multiplex and 60 Gracechurch Street for Bovis, said pre-tax losses jumped from £6.8m to £10.3m in the year to March 2025. Turnover, which is all from the UK, was up a quarter to £182m. The loss meant the firm stayed in the red for the third successive year in a row, having racked up an £11.2m loss in 2023. It said the losses reflected “the ongoing close out…

On Thursday, Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat stated that Türkiye and the UK are working to strengthen their economic partnership as bilateral trade continues to rise. Speaking ahead of the 8th meeting of the UK-Türkiye Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO), Bolat said trade between Türkiye and the EU reached $233 billion last year, highlighting what he described as “strong and inseparable” economic ties between Türkiye and Europe, News.Az reports, citing Turkish media. While the EU is Türkiye’s fifth-largest trade partner globally, Türkiye is the EU’s largest trading partner, he said. Bolat said the JETCO meeting would include the signing…

As freezing temperatures grip Wales, one homeowner has been showing how this eco-home stays warm during winter.Abigail and Marcus Beck built their home under Wales’ unique One Planet Development, external (OPD) policy, which places strict limits on energy use and lifestyle choices.The home, which featured on Channel 4’s series Grand Designs, was designed to rely on insulation and low-energy systems rather than traditional heating.During Storm Goretti, this offers a look at how eco-housing can cope. Read more here: Click Here

Company Logo Urbanization and Home Renovation Boom Propel Global Kitchen Sink Market with Demand for Modern, Space-Efficient Designs Driving Manufacturer Innovation Household Kitchen Sink Market Household Kitchen Sink Market Dublin, Jan. 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The “Household Kitchen Sink Market Opportunity, Growth Drivers, Industry Trend Analysis, and Forecast 2025-2034” has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s offering. The Global Household Kitchen Sink Market was valued at USD 7.1 billion in 2024 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.9% to reach USD 12.5 billion by 2034. Growth is heavily influenced by the rising adoption of home renovation projects, driven…

The Howardian Hills National Landscape, covering 204 square kilometres of the region’s countryside, has announced more dark sky roadshows as part of its ongoing campaign against light pollution. In much of the UK, artificial light means more than 80 per cent of people can no longer see the Milky Way, but the skies above the Howardian Hills remain relatively unaffected. Two free evening presentationsm both starting at 7pm, will take place – one at Welburn Village Hall near Malton on January 20, and another at the Galtres Centre in Easingwold on January 27. Richard Darn, dark sky project leader for…

The search for the list of the UK’s best plumbers ends on Saturday, January 31, 2026, with the top tradespeople encouraged to submit their entries before it’s too late. The Plumber Awards aim to recognise the best professionals, offering not only the prestige of being acknowledged by peers but also the opportunity to win a variety of prizes from sponsors including CT1, Kingsbridge, Polypipe Building Products, Powered Now, the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE), and Refresh. READ MORE: Weather warning issued ahead of Storm Goretti In total, 11 regional prizes are up for grabs, with each regional…

Company Logo The scaffolding market is poised for significant growth driven by global infrastructure projects, urbanization, and smart city initiatives. Innovations like modular systems, advanced safety features, and scaffold transportation solutions enhance market appeal. Key opportunities lie in Asia-Pacific, new construction techniques, and local sourcing amidst trade tensions. Scaffolding Market Scaffolding Market Dublin, Jan. 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The “Scaffolding Market Report 2025” has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s offering. The scaffolding market is experiencing robust growth, with projections indicating an increase from $55.95 billion in 2024 to $75.94 billion by 2029. With a steady CAGR of 6.2%, this expansion…

The Met Office has warned of “strong winds” from this afternoon and into the night from Storm Goretti . A yellow weather warning is also in place for 3pm today (January 8) until 8am on Friday (January … Read more here: Click Here

New Selection of Glass Pool Tiles Complements PebbleTec’s Line of World-Renowned Pool Finishes SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Jan. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As homeowners invest in elevated outdoor spaces, pool professionals are responding to demand for resort-caliber features and aesthetics. Pebble Technology International (PebbleTec), Oldcastle APG’s brand of world-renowned pool finishes, tiles and accessory features, today announced the launch of PebbleTec Glass Tile, its new line of glass pool tile. PebbleTec Glass Tile is available in multiple colorways that complement PebbleTec’s innovative aggregate pool finishes, which are used to create some of the world’s most beautiful pools. Pebble Technology International, or PebbleTec®, is…