The business rates system is iniquitous, absurd and broken, says The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), which is calling on the government to freeze rates for the next two years. 

There was more bad news for high streets this week, with the British Retail Consortium reporting that, of all shopping areas, they sustained the biggest drop in footfall in October. 

The owner of an independent decorating shop in Greater Manchester says he is losing thousands of pounds' worth of business to B&Q because of a change of policy at a local social housing provider. 

B&Q could be closing its store in Dundee as its lease on the unit expires in March 2015. 

The Metal Packaging Manufacturers Association and Ardagh Group scooped the packaging industry's top corporate and social responsibility award - CSR Initiative of the Year - at the recent UK Packaging Awards for their metal paint can recycling project. 

Notcutts has opened two temporary Christmas stores in Kingston and Cambridge in a bid to further drive sales during the festive period. 

Retailers and suppliers have until Monday, November 25 to get their entries to us and be in with a chance of winning Gold at the DIY Week Awards in February. 

New Hopetoun Gardens, a Scottish independent garden centre, has confirmed that it will continue its sponsorship of the Floral Hall at Gardening Scotland 2014. 

Kingfisher businesses, Screwfix and B&Q, are doing their bit to help this year's Children in Need. 

A host of suppliers have recently joined the line-up at the Totally DIY and Totally Tools Shows for the first time in February, marking the Show's 20th anniversary. 

BHETA has become one of 99 UKTI Trade Challenge Partners, which will increase the funding it is able to offer members for shows like Ambiente and Cologne. 

John Lewis has announced plans to open a four-level department store at the Westfield shopping centre in London. 

One in five owners of small to medium-size enterprises (SMEs) have missed out on a growth opportunity because of a lack of accessible finance, new research shows. 

A Leeds homeowner is the latest DIY enthusiast to have won compensation from Dulux after decorating much of his house with the company's brilliant white paint, only to find it turning yellow. 

Retail sales volumes rose by 1.8% in October, compared with October 2012, while the amount spent increased as well, by 2.5%. Volumes bought in DIY stores also increased. 

Poundland is going after a bigger slice of the burgeoning bakeware market by partnering with actress and celebrity baker Jane Asher for a new product launch. 

This year's Rainy Day Trust Golf Classic has been pronounced a triumph, with 92 golfers from the DIY industry taking part. 

The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) has lined up another of its Meet The Buyer events, this time with Lakeland. 

At least half of retail staff have suffered some form of abuse while at work, but many of the incidents are not reported. 

The Rainy Day Trust (RDT) is appealing to members and supporters for donations of popular consumer durable products that might make suitable prizes for raffles and prize draws in aid of its fund-raising efforts.