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Chelsea Flower Show tickets up for grabs

Compost and fertiliser company, Bord na Móna, is giving away five pairs of tickets for the Chelsea Flower Show in May. 
10 April 2014

Twyford garden centre planning row resolved

The owner of Hare Hatch Sheeplands in Twyford, Rob Scott, has withdrawn his appeal against enforcement notices issued by Wokingham Borough Council, bringing the end to an 18-month saga. 
10 April 2014

QEP acquires French trade names Tomecanic and Benetiere

In a deal made last month, QEP bolstered its position as the world's leading supplier of tiling and flooring when its wholly-owned French subsidiary PRCI completed the purchase of French trade names Tomecanic and Benetiere. 
10 April 2014

GIMA launches £5,000 innovator's seed corn fund

A £5,000 innovator's seed corn fund has been launched by GIMA to help one lucky winner with the development of a new product. 
9 April 2014

Shop vacancy figures remain stable for March

Figures released by the Local Data Company (LDC) show that Britain's shop vacancy rate remains the same as it was in February at 13.6%. 
9 April 2014

Screwfix looks to double size of Stoke distribution centre

Screwfix has applied for permission to build a 300,00sq ft distribution centre next to its existing 325,000sq ft site in Stoke on Trent. 
9 April 2014

Administrator to close 17 Paul Simon stores

Following the announcement that home furnishings retailer Paul Simon had gone into administration, administrator Deloitte will close 17 stores out of 50. 
8 April 2014

Homebase research proves flowers trigger memories

Homebase has teamed up with Professor Martin Conway to prove that flowers can conjure up memories through their colours and smells. 
8 April 2014

Paul Simon has entered into administration

Home furnishings retailer Paul Simon has gone into administration after the recent flooding impacted on sales at its stores. 
7 April 2014

Somerset's Proper Job chain launches tenth store

West Country DIY and discount chain Proper Job has opened its tenth store, in Frome, Somerset. 
7 April 2014

New £10m ad campaign for B&Q sees iconic orange apron take centre stage

B&Q's new 'Unleash the B&Q in you' campaign aims to motivate customers to tackle home improvement projects this Easter. 
7 April 2014

Wilmslow-based garden centre to close

Ned Yates Garden Centre in Moor Lane, Wilmslow, will close as owner Trevor Jacques and his son concentrate on growing their landscape gardening business. 
7 April 2014

Solus brings in advisor to look at future options

Just days after the news broke that negotiations between Scotts and Solus about joining forces had broken down, Solus has announced that it has engaged business advisory firm Grant Thornton to look at strategic options for the business. 
7 April 2014

Home improvement company fined £50,000 for making unlawful phone calls

Amber Windows has been served a £50,000 fine from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) after making nuisance phone calls. 
4 April 2014

Only 20% of high street shops affected by collapse of big name retailers remain vacant

Analysis of data collected by the Local Data Company on nearly 5,900 shops found that only 20% of high street shops affected by 27 administrations since 2009 remain empty. 
4 April 2014

Dunelm reports "solid progress" in Q3

In its third quarter of the current financial year, Dunelm reports that sales grew by 9.9% to £195.4m, with like-for-like sales up 5%. 
4 April 2014

Kingfisher looks to buy French DIY retailer Mr Bricolage

Europe's leading home improvement retailer, Kingfisher, has entered into exclusive negotiations with Mr Bricolage, in an attempt to grow its French retail operations. 
3 April 2014

£200m private equity deal will drive growth at Victoria Plumb

Rapidly-growing online bathroom retailer Victoria Plumb has sold a majority stake in the business to US private equity firm TPG Capital. 
3 April 2014

Shop display firms report big boost in business

A growing confidence amongst retailers is suggested by positive new figures from shopfittings and display companies. 
2 April 2014

Pets at Home opens first high street store dedicated to dogs

The unique dogs only pet store called Barkers, is a new brand from the Pets at Home group and it has opened in Wilmslow, Cheshire. 
2 April 2014
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