In a letter to members on Friday, BHETA president Andrew Weiss confirmed that the association would make the move to Birmingham "as soon as practically possible".
A merger with the BJGF, as originally proposed, will not automatically follow the move, which will bring significant financial savings for BHETA.

However, continued Mr Weiss, "once the relocation has taken place we will continue evaluating the case for a federation, by identifying the most cost effective ways of joining the federation and allowing members the opportunity to decide the best way forward."

In the meantime the association continues is efforts to recruit a DIY and brushware sector director to replace Andy Vaughan who recently parted company with BHETA.