Latest news with #Homebase
The Herald Scotland
01-08-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
'Acute' lack of stock holds back out-of-town retail market
Savills has revealed that Scotland accounted for 6.3% (50) of all new UK retail warehouse openings in 2024, falling below the UK regional average of 72 and its own three-year average of 67. However, Savills said demands for this kind of retail space remains strong, reflecting a broader national pattern where supply is limited to failing tenant portfolios with no new space being developed. Scotland saw 39 deals for out-of-town warehouse space in the first half, with 22 in the first quarter and 17 in quarter two. Savills found the pace had slowed as the units that had become available because of the Carpetright and Homebase administrations were quickly re-let, meaning availability dropped again. The agent forecasts that, if the level of activity remains consistent, Scotland is on track to reach around 88 new lettings by year end – a 76% increase on last year. However, this highlights the distinction between appetite for space versus what will or can be achieved on actual supply levels. Mike Spens, director in the out-of-town retail team at Savills Scotland, said: 'There remains considerable appetite from out-of-town retail operators in Scotland, however with vacancy rates falling below the UK national average, an acute lack of stock is hampering further letting activity. Read more: 'For the space that is available, we are continuing to see upward pressure on rents in certain towns, and a competitive leasing environment, which was evident in Dunfermline when Wickes' interposed lease saw a 24% increase in the passing rent. 'With the shift in focus towards affordability and convenience, the region could be well-positioned to benefit from sustained demand throughout 2025 and beyond if the issue of supply can be resolved.' Savills found that the most active operator in the last 18 months has been Home Bargains, which acquired six units. The next most active have been B&M and Sainsbury's, which have each taken three. The Range acquired two former Homebase units at Auldhouse Retail Park in Glasgow and Craigleith Retail Park in Edinburgh. Wickes opened a newly built store at Westhill on the outskirts of Aberdeen and agreed an interposed letting over the Homebase unit at Halbeath Retail Park in Dunfermline prior to its Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA). The trends in Scotland largely reflect the market for the UK as a whole, with Home Bargains, B&M and Sainsbury's among the top 15 most acquisitive operators for 2024 and 2025 so far on a national basis. Sam Arrowsmith, director in the research team at Savills, said: 'Our latest research highlights a critical shortage of available retail warehouse space, with vacancy rates at a historic low. This scarcity, coupled with a strong demand for out-of-town retail locations, has led to upward pressure on rental values. The recent Poundland restructure will only see approximately 50 units returned to the sector nationally. Not enough to satisfy the appetite demonstrated in Q1 take-up.'
The Sun
28-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I transformed my depressing council flat into my dream home – a cheap hack worked wonders for the lack of light
A WOMAN has proven that you don't need to spend a fortune to turn your house into your dream home. Charl, from the UK, took to social media to show how she gave her 'depressing' council house a makeover on a budget, and it left people stunned. 2 2 In a clip that has raked in thousands of likes, Charl shared her top budget hacks to transform your home. "How I transformed my depressing council flat into my happy place," Charl wrote. "Same view, different mindset. Home is what you make it." The first thing Charl did was make the place look brighter as it lacked a lot of natural light. To do this, she made sure to paint all of the walls white to brighten the space up. While she didn't state the exact brand she used, you can buy white paint for as little as£14.99 from Homebase. Next, the savvy woman made her own stair treads for just £30 to add a luxe feel to her stairway. She picked up some Casa Pura stair treads for just £25 from Amazon and attached one to each step. To create a homely vibe, she also recommended adding lots of different lighting as well as flowers. As she lived in a council house, Charl didn't have much say in how her kitchen looked but she was able to give it a makeover with some cheap buys. Trolls say council houses can't look nice but my stunning hallway will prove them wrong She first swapped out the cupboard handles for a sleek gold design and added a gold rail from Ikea above her oven to create a luxe finish. Charl also used a linen curtain to cover the 'ugly' washing machine. The DIY whizz also added lots of fun wall art to add some colour to her house, and she was lucky enough to find herringbone wooden flooring under the carpet. Her video went viral on her TikTok account @ at_home_with_charl with 139k views and people were quick to praise the mum's budget-friendly makeover. One person wrote: "Absolutely fabulous, you are truly talented." How to do your council house up on the cheap Take inspiration from pricier shops and head to B&M, Home Bargains for interior decorations. Head to YouTube for easy to follow tutorials on how to decorate rather than paying for professionals. For a quick glow-up for your floors or anywhere with tiles, opt for stick-on vinyl to save on costs. A lick of paint does wonders to make a room feel brand-new. Switch out kitchen cupboard knobs for modern ones instead of buying brand-new cupboards. "Oh this looks so homely and warm," penned a third. Meanwhile a fourth said: "What a beautiful home you've created." "It looks lush, you've done a great job!" claimed a fifth
Scottish Sun
26-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
My hubby transformed our shed into a ‘dream' nail salon – bargains from Homebase & IKEA made it look so glam on a budget
Plus, scroll down for rules on converting sheds GLOSS BOSS My hubby transformed our shed into a 'dream' nail salon – bargains from Homebase & IKEA made it look so glam on a budget Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A WOMAN has revealed that her husband transformed a shell of a shed into a glamorous nail salon. Now, Nicola Vacher-Smith, who is the founder of Sanctuary Twelve, a garden studio located in Blyth, Northumberland, now just has to walk a few steps down her garden to get to work. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 A nail technician has revealed a before and after look of her garden studio Credit: TikTok/@nicolavachersmith 2 What was once a shell of a shed is now a fully functioning beauty space - and we think it looks fabulous Credit: TikTok/@nicolavachersmith Not only does she have a gorgeous space to welcome clients into, but according to the nail technician and beauty therapist, it is a very 'relaxing' and 'calm' environment. Nicola, who is from Newcastle, took to social media to share a step-by-step process of her shed renovation, leaving many open-mouthed. Alongside the post, Nicola confirmed that her husband, who she described as her 'best friend,' 'biggest supporter' and even 'content model', did all of the work himself, as she beamed: 'Husband appreciation post.' What was once an empty shed has since been given a mega makeover and now is a jaw-dropping beauty salon. And not only do people think it looks 'beautiful' but others have said it is their 'dream' to have something similar in their garden. In the short clip, we saw Nicola's husband take on the hefty DIY job, as he first started off by insulating the space. Following this he then plastered and painted the walls. But that wasn't all - to make the shed super trendy, he then added panelling too. Thrilled with her new at-home salon, Nicola beamed: 'From the shell of a shed to a fully functioning salon, I'm obsessed!!' Reflecting on the shed's new look, she also added: 'What a transformation it is.' I was sick of paying rent so moved into a shed at the bottom of my garden Nicola later confirmed that she got the 9.5ft by 13ft shed from Northern Garden Sheds, a company based in Blaydon-on-Tyne. While she went local for her natural oak flooring, for the paint colours, her man used Dulux paint in the shade Caramel Sand 5 on the panelling and the Peace shade from Homebase's own range, on the walls. Do I need planning permission to convert my shed? CONVERTING an existing shed or outbuilding into a self-contained living space will usually require you apply for planning permission. However, there is a "loophole" Brits can use to convert outbuildings into a tiny home without permission. Planning expert Martin Gaine from Just Planning warned the conversion process is far easier than you may think. Speaking to The Sun, the Chartered Town Planner of 14 years' experience explained: "An outbuilding can be built using 'permitted development rights', meaning it does not need planning permission. "As long as you comply with the various restrictions and conditions." One of these is that the outbuilding can only be used for something 'ancillary' to your main living accommodation - examples include storage, a gym or a pool room. If the outbuilding is existing, converting it then into primary living accommodation IS allowed. Martin explained: "This is because internal changes to an existing building are not considered to be development at all under the Town and Country Planning Act. But like anything, there is one catch. The new living accommodation must still have some connection with your use of the main house. For instance, if your gran is living out there, she must still come into the house to eat. To accessorise the space, she nabbed her sideboard and chair from Daals and got her desk and lamp from IKEA. She also got a mirror and a stand from B&M, as well as a gorgeous vase from TK Maxx. Social media users react Nicola's TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @nicolavachersmith, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 436,900 views. Not only this, but it's also amassed 49,000 likes, 192 comments and 6,296 saves. It looks absolutely gorgeous TikTok user Social media users were incredibly impressed by Nicola's garden studio and many eagerly raced to the comments to express this. One person said: 'This is stunning.' Another added: 'This is my dream.' A third commented: 'This is beautiful.' Meanwhile, someone else beamed: 'It looks absolutely gorgeous.' Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club
The Sun
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Add enchanting touch of whimsy to your garden with £7 B&M buy that's an ornament by day & solar light by night
BARGAIN retailer B&M are selling an "enchanting" garden ornament for just £7. The garden gonk boasts a solar powered light and bright coloured hat, adding a dash of whimsy to any front garden. 1 With a bright yellow and black striped hat wearing gonk ornament is in limited supply so shoppers hoping to nab one better act fast. The price of the gonk has been slashed in a sale by a whopping 41 per cent. It was £12 but is now selling for a bargain £7. B&M say the garden gonk is the perfect way to: " Add a touch of whimsy to your garden." Adding: "This adorable Gonk with Solar Welcome Light. "This enchanting garden companion makes for a decorative garden ornament by day, and an inviting solar light by night." It comes in two designs, ladybird and bee, offering variety to shoppers hoping to buy one. The gonk can be bought in store with a handy online postcode checker pointing shoppers to their nearest shop. The bee design boasts a yellow and black striped hat while the ladybird design has a red and black spotted hat. Both hold a sign with the word "welcome" scrawled across it in bright red letters. Homebase is selling premium outdoor lanterns which don't require any plugs for under £30 - they're perfect for the summer nights The sign boasts six bright lights to add a dash of brightness to a dark garden. Solar power keeps the lights on without any need for wiring so the gonk is ready to go right out of the box. Measuring in at approximately 30 x 16 x 13cm the gonk is perfectly sized to sit among your plants without overshadowing them. The bargain ornament is subject to availability so shoppers will have to check if their local store has the item. A small bee can be seen on the hat of the bee design gronk adding an extra level of whimsy to the design. On the ladybird design, a small ladybird features on the gronk's hat. With its price slashed by nearly 50 per cent the gronk makes the perfect budget garden lighting buy for summer nights outside.
Finextra
14-07-2025
- Business
- Finextra
Clover adds integrated workforce management capabilities from Homebase
Clover, the world's smartest point-of-sale system, under parent company Fiserv, today announced system enhancements with integrated workforce management capabilities from Homebase, the all-in-one platform for small business team management. 0 This content is provided by an external author without editing by Finextra. It expresses the views and opinions of the author. This collaboration reinforces Clover's commitment to empowering small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) with a comprehensive platform designed to seamlessly run their operations, including employee management, to drive better efficiency and growth. The enhancements will embed Homebase's scheduling, time tracking, and employee management capabilities into the Clover Web Dashboard, providing merchants with a single platform to manage their daily operations. "Small business owners know that every hour counts, and the burden of manual data entry alone can consume many hours each week," said Will Karczewski, Head of Clover. "By embedding Homebase's powerful employee management tools directly into the Clover Web Dashboard, we're delivering a seamless, all-in-one solution. This empowers owners to significantly reduce administrative tasks, giving them back valuable time to focus on their customers and growing their passion.' Key advantages of Clover's workforce management solution include: Unified Workforce Management: Clover seamlessly embeds Homebase's leading time clock, scheduling, and timesheet solution into the Clover Web Dashboard, providing SMBs with a powerful, all-in-one platform to manage hourly teams effortlessly. Optimize Labor & Boost Profitability: By leveraging tools that prevent early clock-ins and proactively manage overtime expenses, small businesses can benefit from more efficient operations that directly impact their bottom line. Empower Your Team & Enhance Communication: Create a more connected and productive workforce with built-in team messaging that's easily accessible on Clover devices, in addition to employee self-service features for schedules and timesheets. This helps ensure frictionless communication and allows teams to take control of changing or covering shifts. Simplify Payroll & Focus on Growth: Businesses can benefit from automated timesheet generation and easy export. These features eliminate manual data entry and errors, freeing up valuable time for owners and operators. 'Small businesses need technology that saves them time and makes their lives easier," said John Waldmann, CEO of Homebase. "By bringing Homebase's award-winning team management tools directly into the Clover Web Dashboard, small businesses can manage team schedules, track employee hours, and see sales data all in one place, streamlining day-to-day operations and eliminating the need to switch between multiple systems.' Hundreds of thousands of small businesses will benefit from the embedded solution, as it will be seamlessly deployed via the Clover Web Dashboard in a phased rollout beginning in August 2025.
