Fiona Russell-Horne

Group Managing Editor across the BMJ portfolio.

Selco enters phase two of branch re-opening

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Builders merchant chain Selco Builders Warehouse will have all 68 branches open again in some form by next week. Last week, 42 branches reopened 42 of its branches to support the delivery of online orders – through Click & Collect from branch car parks and Click & Deliver. This will …

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JCB gets back to work at five UK factories

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Five of JCB’s UK factories are starting production again, following the manufacturing giant’s implementation of safety measures to protect factory workers in the wake of the coronavirus crisis. The majority of JCB’s 6,500 UK employees have been furloughed since April, although some at the Uttoxeter factory have been making ventilators. …

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Covid-19 impact could cost 400 Marshalls jobs

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Restructuring at paving and landscaping manufacturer Marshalls in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic could see up to 400 people made redundant, a trading statement said today (May 13). Sales in the first four months through to 30 April were down 27% at £131 million (2019: £180 million). However, in …

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Calls for new Boiler Scrappage Scheme to help economy

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A new Boiler Scrappage Scheme can stimulate the local economy and generate higher tax receipts, according to the CEO of leading trade body the Energy and Utilities Alliance, who has written to the Chancellor, following the Bank of England’s latest forecast, that Covid19 will result in a 14 per cent …

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Permaroof makes new appointment

Lily Chadwick Permaroof

Permaroof, the importer and distributor of Firestone RubberCover roofing products, has appointed Lily Chadwick as marketing co-ordinator as it continues to grow the number of brands and services it offers to merchants as well as direct to trade. With the addition of The Skylight Company, Permalawn and Permafence names to …

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Lockdown lingo

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For I have neither wit, nor words, nor worth, Action, nor utterance, nor the power of speech, To stir men’s blood: I only speak right on; I tell you that which you yourselves do know. So, from today (May 13) the construction industry is encouraged to get back to work …

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Furlough job scheme extension welcomed by BMF

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Builders merchants trade association the Builders Merchants Federation has welcomed the announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer today (May 12) of an extension to the furlough scheme until October. As a member of the Construction Leadership Council, which is co-ordinating the industry’s response to the Covid-19 crisis the BMF …

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Arson-struck Jewson Civils helps with Covid-19 projects

Post Fire Jewson Leeds Lake Terrace Branch

Less than two years after it was nearly destroyed by arsonists, the Leeds branch of Jewson Civils Frazer has been rebuilt and is helping with essential projects across the region, providing materials for essential repair and maintenance and more broadly for Essential projects including the Nightingale Hospital in Harrogate, Sunderland …

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Covid-19 pushes UFEMAT conference back to 2021

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The 2020 Ufemat Congress, which brings together builders merchants, building materials suppliers and trade bodies from across Europe, and was set to take place in London in October has been postponed due to Covid-19. The decision was taken by Ufemat Secretary General, Marnix Van Hoe and Ufemat’s current President, John …

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Fundamental changes required to keep building sites open

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A number of fundamental changes will be required to ensure that building sites can remain open and safe for their workers in the Covid-19 era, says Brendan Sharkey, head of construction and real estate at accountancy firm MHA MacIntyre Hudson. Following the prime minister’s active encouragement for construction workers to …

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