KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
31st August 2020
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International News
Products Luxury steel framing defines Caple's new WF1550 freestanding wine cabinet
Increased hygiene in the kitchen with Blanco's Solenta-S tap
Good headset hygiene helps make kitchen and bathroom showrooms COVID safe
Add pizazz to walls and floors with new Patterned Tiles from Verona
Design that moves: the next125 trolley
Triton introduces essential handwash units
New distribution deal adds Abode sinks & taps to PJH product
Design considerations for a post Covid-19 world
Shower in style: the new 8mm shower enclosure range from Crosswater
The striking collection encompasses shower screen solutions, fittings and accessories, all designed to give customers the ultimate showering experience. Undermount sinks - Blanco explains all you need to know
Brandt Design launches online 'Design Tool' for its customers Brandt Design, specialist retailer in the design and installation of residential and commercial lifestyle interiors, bring its showrooms to you with the launch of a new commercial Design Tool. Choice and flexibility is key for Keller
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I daresay that, like me, you'll have wondered many times over recent months where the Government is keeping its brains. Nothing seems to have been thought through and the plethora of inconsistencies... well - I've been shaking my head in disbelief so much that I seem to have created a permanent headache. Some decisions have seemed perfectly reasonable; the stamp duty holiday for example. However, as someone who remembers the damage MIRAS did to the housing market back in the 80s, I have concerns about what will happen when stamp duty comes back into play. If you're too young to know what I'm talking about, Mortgage Interest Relief At Source enabled sharers to pool resources and buy property in an affordable way since both parties could claim tax relief on their mortgage payments. The announcement that the scheme was to end led to a rush on the market as sharers sought to secure a property in time to qualify for the scheme. Prices skyrocketed! My flat, bought just before the announcement, rose in value by 60% over a matter of weeks, before dropping back down overnight to slightly more than I'd paid for it, once the deadline came. The scheme's withdrawal plunged those who'd bought at inflated prices into 'negative equity', which for thousands, lasted years and in many cases led to repossessions. If you're planning to get on the housing ladder over the next few months, do be very careful. Announced at around the same time as the stamp duty holiday was the Green Homes Grant, through which homeowners can apply for a £5000 voucher to make their homes more energy-efficient. I loved this scheme, believing it would kick-start the home improvement market, massively reduce our nation's energy and water consumption and help refill the Government's coffers with all that VAT and extra income tax being paid. Sadly though, this is another idea that hasn't been thought through properly, since the details, published this week, reveal that a couple of the 'biggies' - double glazing and water-saving fittings - aren't covered! The Bathroom Manufacturers Association's chief executive, Tom Reynolds, is as disappointed as I am. "The Government's advisors on climate change found last year that heating water for showers and hot taps is the second largest source of household greenhouse gas emissions," he says. "With growing water scarcity, measures to reduce wasted water have a double-whammy benefit of reducing carbon and protecting vital water resources, so it's disappointing to see water efficiency not covered by this new Grant." Can we as an industry get the Government to rethink this one, I wonder? Yours,
This Week's News
BiKBBI and BMA cement international relationships
This international strategic collaboration connects associations and organisations serving the kitchen and bathroom marketplace to encourage a global exchange of current and forward-thinking insights and information. Colour Mix from Schmidt: a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow
Embrace Scandi-styles and creativity with Keller's new kitchen
Vast majority of Brits have no idea how much water they use each day
Educational trust offers Bathroom Academy bursary
The Bathroom Academy is an entirely web-based learning platform, with content written by industry experts. BC Designs strengthens bath collection with Chalice Minor bath
Small and sleek: Tiny Kitchen in next125 elegance
The premium brand of Schüller Möbelwerk KG integrates its carefully considered design-space miracles under the label ‘Tiny Kitchen’. Traditional kitchen taps in fashion
Hotpoint launches new four door fridge freezer
Screwfix to open 40 new stores this year, creating around 400 jobs
Complement any kitchen with Saint Moritz in Quartz from Königstone
Whirlpool UK announces new appointments
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clicking the link above. Recent News
A welcome statement and great picture from the BiKBBI! Following the temporary closure of our head office operation in March, and in response to the national Coronavirus lockdown, we have managed to continue the delivery of our service remotely. KBSA supports Covid-19 research project for kitchen and bathroom industry
Double win for RAK Ceramics at first virtual BKU Awards
Strong appetite for bathroom refurbishment, poll shows
Virtual workshop confirms opportunities for bathroom industry to benefit from renovation wave
The Used Kitchen Company sets another milestone in UK recycling
BMA Elects John Robinson as president
LochAnna Kitchens celebrates 100,000th sale as it gets back to business
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