Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you. ‘Scuse my French, but what a bloody mess. How is it that we went through so much pain and anguish, lost so much money, so many jobs, went …

 Toolstation, part of the Travis Perkins Group, has brought in a new Trade Credit account at a time when a survey of its customers showed that almost half of tradespeople admit to being worried about the impact of the pandemic and one in five concerned about cash flow difficulties. The …

 An online roofing merchant has seen a 100% increase in revenue in 2020. Roofing Megastore, founded in 2017 by Banbury-based entrepreneur Gian-Carlo Grossi,  says it benefitted from “an explosion in demand” during the first COVID-19 lockdown, rapidly scaling up its team, adopting new processes, and making targeted investment in response …

The Launceston branch of RGB Building Supplies recently celebrated 30 years since it opened its doors. As well as giving away goody bags to thank visitors for their custom, the branch team held a raffle in aid of RGB’s chosen charity, Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust, where one lucky person won a signed Exeter Chiefs shirt. The raffle raised £107 for the …

  Strength in DIY sales during October and November has helped Travis Perkins to return £50m of UK government help. The Group says its Wickes and Toolstation brands benefited from the ‘surge in DIY trade’ during the first part of the Covid-19 pandemic and that it would return business rates …

The Builders Merchants Federation welcomed the announcement, just before Christmas, that the UK and the EU have agreed a free trade agreement achieving widespread market access with no tariffs or quotas because it will provide the construction sector with much needed reassurance in respect of the cost and availability of building …

Builders merchant group Sydenhams has acquired Staverton Building Supplies based in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Staverton’s, a single branch merchant, will begin trading as Sydenhams from  January 4. Sydenhams managing director Lee Wright said the company is delighted to welcome Staverton Building Supplies to the Sydenhams group. “Stavertons are a fantastic well-run …

Global plumbers merchant chain Ferguson plc has sold its Wolseley UK heating and plumbing distribution business, to private investment firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice today (January 4 2021) for approximately £308 million. In the year ended July 31, 2020 Wolseley UK’s revenue was £1,403 million, with operating profits at £2.2million. …

Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow, Creeps in this petty pace from day to day, To the last syllable of recorded time; There is no view so clear, so perfect, so sharp as that of hindsight, of looking back  on something and pronouncing what should have happened, instead of what did …

South West builders merchant Bradfords Building Supplies is expanding its partnership with the Exeter Chiefs for 2020/2021 season, making it now one of the club’s main sponsors. As part of the new agreement, Bradfords will provide player sponsorship from Chiefs Fly Half and England international Henry Slade, and Women’s Captain …