Mack Brooks Exhibitions has acquired the entire shareholding of Fastener Fairs Ltd for an undisclosed sum. 

Euan Sutherland and Sir Richard Branson give a helping hand to insulate a Londoner's loft in support of Prince of Wales' new Start initiative. 

Retail guru takes Lightwater Homecare in hand for the latest series of her BBC show Mary Queen of Shops, with live product demo at the trade exhibition. 

UK high street has "awful start to the year" as heavy snowfall stops shoppers spending. 

Industry charity the Rainy Day Trust is an estimated £17,000 better off after a successful fund-raising party at this week's Birmingham exhibitions: Spring Fair, Totally DIY, Totally Tools and Totally Secure. 

Faithfull, Eco-Ezee, Yale, Holdfast, Luxform and Trollul were the six exhibitors who picked up Gold Show Stopper awards at this week's Totally DIY show in Birmingham. 

Home improvement retailer plays down reports that it is struggling and has been forced to ask for a payment holiday on rent. 

Divalimit, the parent company of FADS, Texstyle World and Leveys has been placed in administration little more than a year after it purchased the brands according to reports. 

A new Value range of DIY essentials launched by Homebase this week includes tools offered for sale for less than a pound. 

Man walks out of Homebase store with two power tools because he didn't want to wait in line to pay. 

Tesco-owned garden centre chain aims to quadruple its number of outlets over the next eight years with a number of new branches to be built alongside supermarkets. 

Garden centre chain backs environmental campaigner Sir Jonathan Porrit’s criticism that garden centres are complacent about having environmental policies. 

Homebase parent company Home Retail Group (HRG) has introduced a reusable bag as replacement packaging for sofas from its Homebase and Argos brands. 

January 2010 sees the worst start to a new year for retailers in half a decade, as footfall drops 5%. 

Silica-based solution, which makes cleaning easier and protects surfaces from bacteria, will be available at DIY chain this spring. 

Glazebury-based centre wins prestigious GCA award for the second year in a row. 

Be the best: The countdown to the Product of the Year Awards has begun! 

In time for National Apprenticeship Week (Feb 1-5) B&Q has announced that it will double its apprenticeship intake this year. 

Trade association questions methods of collecting used batteries and believes retailers should not be expected to bear the entire responsibility for meeting recycling targets. 

'Kitchen theatre' will showcase exhibitors' products, with celebrity chefs such as Raymond Blanc already lined up for the show.