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North Wales Live
a day ago
- Business
- North Wales Live
Brits more interested in home makeovers than making them energy-efficient
A recent survey of 2,000 homeowners discovered that more than half are favouring aesthetic enhancements such as kitting out with a swanky new kitchen or bathroom suite over energy-saving measures, because they feel these refurbishments add more value and grant instant gratification. Many are opting to splurge on glamorous home updates rather than investing in insulation or efficient heating systems. As revealed by the study organised by Skipton Building Society, part of the Skipton Group, a substantial number of property owners admit that eco-friendly improvements lack the allure of a luxurious makeover, with 16 percent confessing their love of a new home feature. This insight accompanies the release of The Big Retrofit report, which details the energy efficiency overhaul of a home previously dependent on fossil fuels. The report, a collaboration between Leeds Beckett University and the University of Leeds, demonstrates how retrofitting—a process of upgrading a building to improve its energy performance—has increased comfort and progressed the EPC rating of a typical 1930s detached house from D up to B. Phil Spencer, the TV favourite and founder of Move iQ, offered his perspective: "It's easy to get caught up in choosing statement tiles or bold paint colours, but the most valuable home improvements aren't always the most 'Instagrammable'." To emphasise the long term benefits, he further mentioned: "Green upgrades not only save money in the long run, but they can also boost comfort, value and sustainability, all without spoiling the look of your home." A recent survey shows that over a quarter of people in the UK know someone who has made eco-friendly home improvements, with 53 per cent feeling encouraged to follow suit. As a result, interest in green technology is growing, with 48 per cent considering solar panels and 24 per cent exploring better loft insulation, while 15 per cent would think about fitting triple-glazed windows. For 38 per cent of homeowners, learning about the reduced energy bills neighbours enjoyed was the catalyst for their own interest. The report found that nearly half of the homeowners now see making sustainable upgrades as a mark of success in today's world. Being able to charge an electric vehicle at home, having underfloor heating powered by renewable sources, and owning a heat pump are now seen as top indicators of having 'made it'. Michaela Wright, head of group sustainability at Skipton Building Society, commented: "As more people see their neighbours investing in greener technologies, it naturally sparks curiosity and motivation to do the same. "There's something powerful about seeing these changes up close – it makes the benefits feel more real and achievable. It's a positive sign that more energy efficient choices are becoming aspirational, not just practical. "We understand that making energy-efficient home improvements might not be at the top of everyone's priority list. That's why we took on the journey ourselves – to help demystify the retrofit process through The Big Retrofit project.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Brits more interested in home makeovers than making them energy-efficient
A study of 2,000 property owners found more than half are prioritising cosmetic makeovers because they believe it adds more value and offers instant gratification. A study of 2,000 homeowners revealed that over half are prioritising aesthetic upgrades as they believe it adds more value and provides immediate satisfaction. Many prefer to spend on a new kitchen or bathroom suite rather than invest in insulation or energy-efficient heating systems. In the study commissioned by Skipton Building Society, a part of the Skipton Group, over half of home owners confessed that energy-efficient improvements don't provide the same excitement as a posh renovation, hence they choose flashy upgrades simply for the joy of something new, with 16% confessing their love for the thrill of a new home feature. The study been released alongside The Big Retrofit report, which details the energy efficiency overhaul of a home previously dependent on fossil fuels. The report, created in collaboration with Leeds Beckett University and the University of Leeds, unveils how retrofitting a typical 1930s detached house - the act of renovating a property to enhance its energy efficiency - increased comfort, and elevated the home's EPC rating from D to B. TV personality, property guru and Move iQ founder, Phil Spencer, commented: "It's easy to get caught up in choosing statement tiles or bold paint colours, but the most valuable home improvements aren't always the most 'Instagrammable'." He added: "Green upgrades not only save money in the long run, but they can also boost comfort, value and sustainability, all without spoiling the look of your home." Over a quarter now claim they know a neighbour who's made significant low carbon technology or energy efficiency related modifications to their home – and 53% of these have been inspired to do the same. Consequently, 48% have investigated getting solar panels, 24% have looked into upgrading their loft insulation. Meanwhile, 15% would contemplate installing triple glazed windows. For 38% of homeowners, it was the finding out that their neighbours had managed to reduce their energy bills that sparked their interest. According to the study, nearly half of all homeowners now believe that making eco-friendly improvements has become a modern-day status symbol. Charging an electric car on your driveway is seen as one of the top indicators that you've 'made it', followed by underfloor heating powered by renewables and owning a heat pump. Michaela Wright, head of group sustainability at Skipton Building Society, commented: "As more people see their neighbours investing in greener technologies, it naturally sparks curiosity and motivation to do the same. "There's something powerful about seeing these changes up close – it makes the benefits feel more real and achievable. It's a positive sign that more energy efficient choices are becoming aspirational, not just practical. "We understand that making energy-efficient home improvements might not be at the top of everyone's priority list. That's why we took on the journey ourselves – to help demystify the retrofit process through The Big Retrofit project. "We've documented our experience and created a series of resources, to support others who are considering making similar improvements."
Daily Record
29-05-2025
- Daily Record
Hannah Almond breaks silence after Brit tourist saved from homelessness in Peru
Hannah Almond, 32, wrapped her arms around her pal "Matti" after he discovered her sleeping rough on the streets of Cusco in the South American nation. A British tourist who was attacked while she slept rough after disappearing in Peru told her friend "I love you" amid an emotional reunion. Hannah Almond wrapped her arms around her pal "Matti" after he discovered her sleeping rough on the streets of Cusco in the South American nation before she uttered the heartwarming words. A Good Samaritan in the city, Piero Villanueva, helped Matti locate the 32-year-old. As reported by the Mirror, it is thought that Hannah had been homeless for weeks with no money and passport after she became separated from friends with whom she had gone backpacking. The fashion graduate was violently attacked during this awful period and thugs burned her possessions. Hannah, from Grimsby in Lincolnshire, was delighted to see her pal - who wants only to be referred to as Matti - after he flew out on a desperate mission to rescue her. The mate said: "I came straight off the flight, and before I got to my accommodation I got the taxi to drop me off at the main square where she was with her friend. "She wrapped her arms around me and said 'I love you'. She was wearing superman pyjamas given to her by a friend as she has nothing to her name. Minimal clothing, no money, and no personal items like a phone or passport." Hannah was only left with the clothes she was wearing following the fire. Matti helped reunite Hannah with some of her friends with whom she had originally gone travelling, including Mila. Mila and Hannah danced down a city street, Matti said. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. It's understood Matti and Hannah met when they studied together Leeds Beckett University. He told Mail Online: "I think she was overwhelmed when I saw her if I'm honest. After some time she has expressed love and gratitude for me being here. We sat and had a bottle of water and talked about home. She didn't want to eat anything at the time. We have listened to some music that reminded us of friends and times back in Leeds." Hannah has reportedly called family back home in Grimsby and Matti is ensuring his pal gets the right help she needs. The graduate had gone to Peru in March "hoping for adventure" and to "find herself" at a yoga retreat. She was robbed and assaulted, losing her passport, phone and all of her money, a GoFundMe page revealed. More than £7,500 has been raised - including donations from strangers - and this money will be used to help pay for emergency care, food and any further flights Hannah's friends and family require. The current Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) travel advice warns a number of Brit tourists have been targeted by armed robbers in recent years. It adds: "Personal attacks, including sexual assaults, are infrequent but do happen, mostly in the Cusco and Arequipa areas."
Daily Mirror
29-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Brit tourist's first emotional words as hero saves her from homelessness in Peru
Hannah Almond was found sleeping rough on the streets of Cusco, Peru, where she had been backpacking in an attempt to "find herself" - and vanished from friends A Brit tourist who disappeared in Peru and was attacked while she slept rough told her friend "I love you" amid an emotional reunion. Hannah Almond, 32, wrapped her arms around her pal "Matti" and uttered the heartwarming words when he discovered her sleeping rough on the streets of Cusco in the South American nation. Piero Villanueva, a Good Samaritan in the city, helped Matti locate the woman. Hannah had been homeless for weeks with no money and passport after she became separated from friends with whom she had gone backpacking, it is thought. During this awful period, the fashion graduate was violently attacked and thugs burned her possessions. She was delighted to see her pal - who wants only to be referred to as Matti - after he flew out on a desperate mission to rescue Hannah, from Grimsby, Lincolnshire. The mate said: "I came straight off the flight, and before I got to my accommodation I got the taxi to drop me off at the main square where she was with her friend. "She wrapped her arms around me and said 'I love you'. She was wearing superman pajamas given to her by a friend as she has nothing to her name. Minimal clothing, no money, and no personal items like a phone or passport." Hannah was only left with the clothes she was wearing following the fire. Matti helped reunite Hannah with some of her friends with whom she had originally gone travelling, including Mila. Mila and Hannah danced down a city street, Matti continued. Matti and Hannah met when they studied together Leeds Beckett University, it is understood. He told Mail Online: "I think she was overwhelmed when I saw her if I'm honest. After some time she has expressed love and gratitude for me being here. We sat and had a bottle of water and talked about home. She didn't want to eat anything at the time. We have listened to some music that reminded us of friends and times back in Leeds." Hannah has reportedly called family back home in Grimsby and Matti is ensuring his pal gets the right help she needs. The graduate had gone to Peru in March "hoping for adventure" and to "find herself" at a yoga retreat. She was robbed and assaulted, losing her passport, phone and all of her money, a GoFundMe page revealed. More than £7,500 has been raised - including donations from strangers - and this money will be used to help pay for emergency care, food and any further flights Hannah's friends and family require. The current Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) travel advice warns a number of Brit tourists have been targeted by armed robbers in recent years. It adds: "Personal attacks, including sexual assaults, are infrequent but do happen, mostly in the Cusco and Arequipa areas."
Daily Mirror
28-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Homeless Brit backpacker's glam life before Peru - uni, festivals and adventure
Concern grew for Hannah Almond, a fashion graduate from Grimsby in Lincolnshire, after she became stranded from her friends in Peru during a backpacking holiday A British tourist who vanished in Peru has been found sleeping on the streets after being violently attacked and having all her possessions stolen. Hannah Almond, 32, was discovered slumped on the pavement by a Good Samaritan days after she got separated from her pals in Cusco, a city in the Andes. Writing on a GoFundMe page, one friend described the breakthrough as "a huge relief". Hannah travelled to Peru in March on a yoga retreat to "find herself," friends say. However, Hannah lost contact with her friends, and thugs allegedly moved in and burned her possessions. She lost her phone and passport and was left penniless after the attack. Fears for Hannah's safety increased when she vanished after the same locals evicted from the spot where she had been sleeping rough with an elderly homeless man for a month. The traders were filmed pushing and threatening the former Leeds Beckett University fine arts student from Grimsby before she disappeared. One witness said: "The aggressive ones on Ejercito Avenue… dragged and beat the foreigner. I will never shop at those stores again. She knocked on many doors and no one opened them, the grandfather was the only one who welcomed her with little or nothing that he had. She didn't have anyone to give her a glass of water or a roof to sleep under." The story has made national news in Peru and speaking earlier this week, a family friend said: "She is one of the most pure loving souls ever - she is very generous and always wants to help people. But she does not trust anyone after getting robbed and assaulted. Some locals burned all her belongings from under the bridge. "She was contacting her mum every now and then through other people's phones. Police went to check on her two days ago and she has not been seen since. Cusco is a trafficking hotspot, so it's very worrying." One post on the GoFundMe page reads: "She was robbed and assaulted, losing her passport, phone, and all of her money. Since then, Hannah's mental health — something she has long struggled with — has severely declined. "She is now in the midst of a mental health crisis, living under a bridge with a homeless man she befriended — the only person she currently trusts. Despite attempts to help her through official channels, Hannah is deeply fearful and unable to accept support from the embassy or local authorities. She is extremely vulnerable, isolated, and not safe living on the streets of Peru." Hannah, who is understood to be single, is no stranger to living abroad, having previously spent eight months in Portugal and travelled parts of Asia including Thailand and Vietnam. When she's at home in the UK, fun-loving Hannah regularly festivals like Creamfields with her pals, sharing photos of her antics on social media. Mark Atkinson, the British Consul in Peru, told local media Hannah arrived in Cusco in early March as a tourist and did not plan to overstay her visa, but her immigration status is now in limbo. He added that despite their best efforts to help, she keeps going back to the bridge. "Sometimes we've paid for hotel stays, given her money for food, that sort of thing. But she always ends up coming back here." Thankfully, Hannah has now been found by a Good Samaritan, Piero Villanueva, who she had met briefly in Lima earlier in her trip. He flew to Cusco last week from his home to help in the search for Hannah. He posted selfie photos of the pair together as he confirmed she was 'safe and well.' Piero told a local TV station late yesterday: 'I have just found her. She is safe and well. I'd like to thank the authorities and the people who contacted me to so I could help her.' He added: 'A friend of Hannah is arriving in Cusco today and I'm talking with him to be able to assist her. Hannah and her mum haven't spoken yet. I'm talking with her mum but she's an elderly lady and we don't want to worry her anymore. Hannah recognised me and approached me crying and I asked her to leave with me. Thanks God she's safe. We have to see now what's going to happen, talk with Hannah's mum and see what she wants to do." While a friend said: "It is a huge relief that she has been found, when she stopped contacting people we were worried she had been trafficked and we would never hear from her again. He (Piero) found her just asleep on the street, and one of her friends has flown out from the UK to Cusco to try and persuade her to come home. We want her home in the next few days." In an update on a GoFundMe page set up over the weekend to help bring Hannah back to the UK, a friend Sophie Wallace said: 'Due the help of everyone sharing the story, Hannah has thankfully been found and one of her friends is on the way to Cusco to persuade her to accept support and come home. "We know she has been refusing help due to the complexity of her mental health so it is most likely that she will need to placed into psychiatric care before getting a flight back. This is an ongoing process but we are doing all we can to bring her back safely.'
