The British Independent Retailers Association (bira) and British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) have come together to present a friendly but competitive networking, business and social occasion in the calendar by way of a 'Tussle on the Turf' golf event. The event is to be held on July 20 in Stratford-upon-Avon at The Welcombe Golf Club.
The independent DIY, hardware and cookshop retail members of bira will battle it out for the spoils and honours with DIY, hardware and housewares supplier members of BHETA.

Set in the backdrop of the neo-Jacobean mansion, the Welcombe championship standard 18-hole course nestles in 157 acres of Warwickshire countryside: an undulating verdant landscape in the heart of the country. This par-70, 6,288-yard championship course is home to lakes and rolls seamlessly through the hills of Warwickshire and provides a tricky round for players of all abilities.

Newly elected bira National President Vin Vara revealed this initiative at the recent bira High Street Conference as a mechanism to forge tighter relationships between the two associations and their members and to better understand each other's needs to a mutually rewarding business relationship.

Marketing & Membership Director at bira Sarah Golden said: "We are always looking to strengthen our members' relationships with suppliers and this friendly inter-association golf competition is a great opportunity for both to build a better understanding of each other."

BHETA executive DIY director Paul Grinsell said: "We're pleased to be able to be working more closely with bira and its members in a relaxed, business and networking event. With a hint of competitiveness thrown in I'm sure, we're pleased to be engaging with such an initiative and that it will grow into a regular date in the calendar."