The Local Data Company has jumped on board the Mary Portas Pilot project, which will see 12 trial high streets rejuvenated in an attempt to boost vacancy rates. 

According to the BDO High Street Sales Tracker, homewares sales across UK retailers were buoyed by the improved weather in May and Jubilee shoppers' lifted spirits. 

Members of the Garden Centre Association (GCA) have reported that the additional footfall hoped for over the Jubilee weekend never happened, with the poor weather blamed for the most part. 

DIY Week's publishing company Faversham House Group has changed its name to Faversham House Ltd and relocated to East Grinstead. 

Atlantic, a member of the DIY division of Grafton Group Plc, has filed a petition seeking the appointment of an examiner, meaning it is now under the protection of the High Court while the company restructures for survival. 

The annual GIMA charity golf day and evening dinner took place in Northamptonshire recently, raising money for Greenfingers, Rugby for Heroes and Sporting Hearts. 

Bad weather was blamed for B&Q's dip in sales during the 13 weeks to April 28, falling 8.9% to £968million, a downward slide of more than 11% compared with this time last year. 

Complimentary lunches for retailer visitors, and a cap on stand size to encourage major suppliers back into the show - those are the two major initiatives planned for Totally DIY 2013. 

According to the latest figures from GfK, 5% fewer litres of emulsion paint have been sold in the UK during the first part of 2012 compared with the same period last year, but 6% more UK pounds have been spent on it. 

It's been estimated that Brits are going to spend more than £820million on celebrating the Diamond Jubilee - and according to Cuprinol, 37% will be directing their cash towards sprucing up their garden. 

The home improvement retailer has claimed its new app is the first of its kind within the sector, incorporating three different stages to guide users through a home DIY project. 

Furniture and carpet retailers saw a particularly strong sales increase during the month, with 72% more reporting growth than those reporting decline, according to the latest Distributive Trades Survey from the CBI. 

The tiling group, which owns 299 Topps Tiles stores and 20 Tile Clearing Houses, saw like-for-like revenue for the 26 weeks ending March 31, 2012 drop by 4.7% to £86.6m, which bosses said was "in line with expectations." 

New Mica members Eric and Margaret Moore have opened a brand new DIY store in the town of Aghagallon, County Armagh. 

The Kingfisher-owned retailer has announced three new major product range changes launching across its 359 stores, including a £19m capital expenditure investment in new tiling and flooring shops. 

A special one-day workshop aimed at showing exhibitors at this year's Glee how to optimise their show visibility will take place on June 14. 

The latest range of Yale cylinder and multipoint locks will be distributed by Eurocell thanks to a new partnership between the pair. 

The same number of people who will be celebrating the Jubilee weekend will opt for a spot of DIY or gardening over the long bank holiday, according to a new survey by TNS. 

Discount retail giant Poundworld is launching a new wholesale website this week, selling a variety of cheap products including DIY tools, home improvement accessories and garden products to retailers. 

Orders at the group's Gardening Direct and Growing and Live Despatch (GLD) businesses have fallen to £3.8m for the three months up to March 31 2012, compared with £5.5m over the same period last year.