The Decorator – October-November 2022

Dear Members,

It’s started to feel ver y autumnal over these past couple of weeks and I hope the majority of your external work is now completed The clocks will be going back on 30 October and it makes all the difference to outside working when it is dark by 3.30pm.

Now that foreign travel is starting to resemble some form of normality, I’ve been out and about these past few weeks visiting European organisations in Germany and Switzerland The first visit was to attend the Painting Skills Academy update meeting with which our Association has been involved over the past two years The aim of the project is to implement vocational training for the European painting trade based on the challenges and requirements of the European market Vocational training needs to be seen as more attractive for young people so that they can be won over to the craft Inadequate knowledge, skills and competencies can inevitably lead to difficulties in future life

My second visit was to the UNIEP General Assembly, held this year in Zurich at which they asked me to act as the Modera tor f or their AGM and Conference Our Associa tion, along with European Sector related Trade Associations are long standing members of this organisation The International Associa tion of Painting Contractors (UNIEP) represents over 60,000 businesses through its 22 members in 15 European countries and employs 280,000 professional Painters and Decorators

Closer to home, we hope to see some of you at both our Annual AGM and on Stand Number 96 at this year’s National Painting Decorating Show at the Coventr y Building Society Arena on 22 and 23 November The last face to face AGM was held pre pandemic in 2019, so it will be good to get back to seeing people in person Full details are on page 6 of this magazine, and on the e newsletters you will have received by email Those attending the AGM will have their names added to a prize draw with the chance of winning a Graco Hand Held Spray machine

I hope you have seen the adverts for new PDA Management Board Members in recent correspondence If you feel you can contribute in helping to shape the future of Association, please see page 8

The 2023 PDA Premier Trophy Awards application form is now available on our website’s homepage

Completed applications need to be back at HQ by 13 Januar y 2023.

For those of you who haven’t yet signed up for the Take Time Lifestyle Club yet, simply call us and speak with Samantha who will set your free access code worth £60 per year if it were purchased individually You can request the free voucher codes for ALL of your employees too! This club gives our Members exclusive access to fantastic deals and offers at restaurants, hotels, gyms and spas PLUS, a huge range of entertainment, leisure experiences, and travel deals to help you take time out of your busy schedule So why wait, call now and start saving!

Finally, I hope to see some of you at our Networking Gala Dinner & Apprentice Awards on 5 November (see pa ge 17) a t the Stra tf ord Manor Hotel, Stra tf ord upon Avon It promises to be fabulous evening, so please do tr y and make effort to attend, you can meet the office team, fellow Members and some of our Associate Partners. Catch up with us over a drink, a three course meal and great entertainment live on stage

Painting & Decorating Association 32 Coton Road, Nuneaton, Warwickshire CV11 5TW

Telephone: 024 7635 3776 e mail: info@paintingdecoratingassociation co uk web: www paintingdecoratingassociation co uk

Chief Executive Officer

Neil Ogilvie neil@paintingdecoratingassociation co uk

October November 2022 Volume 91 No 5

The Decorator is published by Catherine Saint Publicity on behalf of the Painting & Decorating Association

PDA Editorial

Neil Ogilvie Telephone: 07796 942474 e mail: neil@paintingdecoratingassociation co uk

Advertising and Editorial

Catherine Saint Publicity Telephone: 07941 590183 e mail: catherine.saint@yahoo.co.uk

Artworking and Design empathicVisions

Telephone: 07789 725074 e mail: info@empathicvisions co uk

The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those held by the Association Editorial items in this publication and the statements and opinions expressed thereon are published on the understanding that the author of the contribution is solely responsible for the opinions so expressed Although every care is taken with advertising, no responsibility can be accepted by the published for their products, services and other matters advertised The publisher will not be liable for any loss or damage consequential or otherwise occasioned by error, late publication or the failure of an advertisement to appear in any cause whatsoever

Neil Ogilvie Chief Executive neil@paintingdecoratingassociation

takeNOTICE

The latest news and updates about the PDA and wider issues across our industry. If you have something to contrubite email info@paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk

SEE YOU AT THE SHOW!

The National Painting and Decorating Show is the industr y’s biggest annual event and returns this year on 22 and 23 November at the Coventr y Building Society Arena

This year will certainly be a celebration of all that is best in this vibrant industr y, both at home and abroad, and the PDA will be on Stand 96

SHOW OFF YOUR ECO-FRIENDLY CREDENTIALS

A NEW SUSTAINABILITY standard for the painting and decorating sector is to be launched by the Painting and Decorating Association this autumn

The project will give PDA Members the opportunity to showcase their green credentials as well as encouraging Members to begin their sustainability journey

To achieve the new standard, PDA Members will:

• Sign up to existing schemes for paint and paint container re use or recycling

• Set their own targets for recycling or reuse of excess paint and paint containers

• Commit to improving recycling and reuse rates year on year

• Take extra steps to improve their local environment and community (such as donating excess paint to community projects)

PDA Members who pledge to uphold the standards for the scheme will be able to display a specially designed logo on their stationary, online platforms and vehicles, illustrating their eco friendly working practices

They will also be eligible to enter a new Sustainability categor y at the Premier Trophy Awards in 2023 PDA Chief Executive, Neil Ogilvie, said, “Sustainable practices, protecting the environment and reducing waste are all key concerns for businesses across the construction industr y

“Clients in the domestic, commercial and public sector markets are increasingly mindful of the sustainability credentials of the businesses they work with “The Paint Green project will highlight the painting and decorating businesses that have committed to improve the way they manage waste and therefore reduce their impact on the environment ”

CEO Neil Ogilvie, Membership Ser vices Manager Denice Harper and Recruitment Advisor Paul Whitehead will be there to discuss the benefits of PDA Membership and pick up any queries

Please come along and say “hello”! For current Members of the PDA, we’ll be giving away £150 of TradePoint vouchers and a chance to win a star prize!

We are looking forward to seeing you all at this ever popular trade painting and decorating show www.paintshow.co.uk

Get yourself involved in the management of the PDA

2022 PDA Management Board Election

The AGM Agenda will include the election of the Management Board In accordance with th rules, each year, three Members of the Mana gement Board retire and are elig ible to see re election They are representing categories 1, 2, 3 & 4:

• Stuart Yates • Windsor Powell • Melvyn Pittaway

Successful candidates will be elected for three years

Members considering election to the Management Board should be prepared to attend fou board meetings (usually held at PDA offices in Nuneaton) during December, March, June an September and the AGM They are paid £150 plus travel expenses for attending each of th four board meetings

Elected Members represent their own level of Membership as well as the PDA as a whole The are expected to constructively participate in the management of the Associa tion, to advise encourage and support the CEO and staff and the development of benefits and ser vices fo our Members

The Painting and Decorating Association is wholly owned and managed by its Members an exists to further their interests and the painting and decorating trade A total of nine PDA Members have management responsibility of the Association:

Interested? Take the next step...

If you feel your own experience as a Member and employer means you can contribute to the management and future development of the PDA, please nominate yourself as a candidate for election

The PDA is now seeking nominations for:

• One Member representing Category 1, 2, 3 & 4

• One Member representing Category 5 & 6

Please provide a portrait style photograph, your personal details and a brief description of any business experience or skills which you feel will be beneficial to the Association

Send your nomination to: Neil Ogilvie, PDA CEO neil@paintingdecoratingassociation.co uk to be received by 28 October 2022

Details of all candidates nominated will be emailed to Members prior to the election date, which will be by online ballot of ALL Members

Each Member of the board, whether representing the smallest or the largest firm, has an equal say and an equal vote!

COMMON ASSESSMENT STANDARD

A USEFUL GUIDE FROM CHAS

THE PDA HAS a ver y useful eBook guide from CHAS on the Common Assessment Standard, the new industr y standard for risk management in construction and related sectors

Build UK is rolling out the Common Assessment Standard to improve efficiency and reduce cost in the pre qualification process by allowing companies to be certified to a single standard once a year This eliminates the need to be certified by a particular assessment body, reducing duplication, and saving both time and money It is endorsed by the Construction Leadership Council and recommended for use within the public sector as part of the recent independent review of frameworks

It may make good business sense if you want to work in supply chains, as a growing list of Contractors and Clients are now specifying that their supply chains are certified to the standard

With the Common Assessment Standard, compliance and certification can be achieved without the need for time consuming processes, multiple assessment bodies and confusing requirements

Building on the PAS91 prequalification questionnaire and covering 13 areas of risk management including Health and Safety, Quality, Environment and Corporate Professional Standing

For smaller companies the assessment standards will be applied in a proportionate way (Companies that employ fewer than 10 employees and have a turnover below £1 8 million or a balance sheet total less than £1 8 million)

The Guide is in the PDA Members’ Hub at https://tinyurl com/CHASGuideToCas

THE BRITISH COATINGS Federation has announced its finalists for the 2022 Coatings Care awards The winners will be announced at the BCF’s Awards dinner at the Forest of Arden Marriott Hotel & Countr y Club on 13 October Information on the rest of the Awards categories is available at www coatings org uk

The BCF Coatings Care environmental programme demonstrates that the UK coatings industr y cares about the health and welfare of employees, the safe operation of processes, and shows determination to contribute actively to a sustainable environment

The Coatings Care Overall Best Performer Award is presented to the company that has demonstrated best in class performance across a range of key performance indicators, such as waste and recycling, and VOC emissions The companies shortlisted for this award are:

• Dacr ylate Paints

• Farrow & Ball

• HMG Paints

• Teal & Mackrill

• Crown Paints (Hull)

RECOGNISING ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE

The Coatings Care Progress Award is presented to the company that has made the most significant year on year performance improvement BCF are grateful to The Paint Foundation for sponsoring this award

The shortlisted companies for this award are:

• Becker Industrial Coatings

• Nippon Paint Automotive (UK)

• Steyport

• Pulse Printing Products

• PPG (Whitford)

BCF have tracked the performance of their members for more than 20 years and has recorded significant improvements in efficiency and environmental performance over many of the 45 key performance indicators

The latest Coatings Care figures show record low levels of energy used in production as well as a significant decrease in production waste 71% of production waste is now recycled, compared with just 17% in 1996 Accident rates are also at a record low and well below the latest UK Labour Force Survey, with zero RIDDOR reported dangerous occurrences or fires at BCF member sites in 2020

UNIEP DIGI-PAINT PROJECT REACHES FIRST OBJECTIVE

THE SECOND MEETING for partners of the Erasmus+ project Digi Paint was held in Dublin on 25 and 26 August, at the Technological University Dublin Warmly welcomed by their Irish partner, this meeting has been an important moment to gather all partners and to take stock on the project advancement

Having previously finalised the teaching objectives of the project, the scenarios for the five tutorial videos were discussed, evaluated and some of them visualised in video format to get the feedback of the partners These videos will actually be a supporting tool for the educators to digitalise their courses and make them more attractive

An amazing VR experiment was also carried out by the technological partner Epistèmes, showing how useful and captivating it could be to include a virtual painting element in a course, like the coating systems for work based learning periods This activity is currently in progress and will be completed in the next months

All the tools produced during the project, and the ones collected from educational institutes all over Europe, will be gathered in a database dedicated to painting educators that the partner EPP is structuring, and that will be put at the disposal of learning, teaching and training activities

One of these will take place in April in Rome, in order to validate the digital tools collected and to get the experience of trainers from all over Europe

The versatility of the tools created in this project is its core strength Having been initially designed for distance learning courses, the added value of these tools allows trainers to adapt them to a face to face situation Both students and teachers are winners in digital learning, the project is now well advanced and all activities are as scheduled

Keep up to date and discover the first project newsletter!

WILD WONDER

Introducing Dulux Trade Colour of the Year 2023 Wild Wonder™, a glowing, upbeat tone that celebrates and reflects the wonders of nature. Inspired by the warm tones of harvested crops, it brings energy, positivity, and a connection with the natural world to our living and working spaces.

Used alongside our four new expertly curated colour palettes, Wild Wonder™ is versatile enough for use across bedrooms, kitchens and living rooms to bring energy, positivity, and a connection with the natural world into the home.

Download our Dulux Trade Colour of the Year Decorator guide, packed full of hints and tips for using Wild Wonder™, at Duluxtrade.co.uk/CF23

SEEING OUR SECTOR in action is one of the most effective ways of inspiring young people and those looking for a change of career to choose our industry You can play your part in showcasing the huge range of opportunities available by participating in Open Doors 2023 which will take place from 13 18 March next year

Open Doors offers people the unique opportunity to go behind the site hoardings of live construction sites, to take a look into the diverse world of modern construction and meet the fantastic people who make it all happen

Visitors will hear directly from construction workers representing the breadth of the industr y about their careers and experiences, and will be provided with a tour of the project so that they can experience the impact of construction on their local and wider communities’ first hand

You can register your sites and events, and find further information online at https://opendoors construction/

WHY POOR RISK ASSESSMENTS ARE RISKY FOR YOUR BUSINESS

RISK ASSESSMENTS, A legal necessity that can become expensive, both financially and reputationally, if employers don’t know what they’re doing

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) describes it as a step by step process for controlling all Health & Safety risks They’re crucial documents that you should constantly review and update, ensuring they remain fit for purpose If you don’t, you end up putting your employees and business at risk

Why are workplace risk assessments essential?

You have a legal duty to assess the risks to Health & Safety in your workplace By having a risk assessment in place, you can spot potential hazards to the safety of your employees and visitors of your business premises, and then take steps to either remove or reduce the risk of those hazards

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 make it clear that employers need to assess the risk to the Health & Safety of employees, but also anyone “not in his employment arising out of or in connection with the conduct by him of his undertaking ”

In simple terms, anyone who could be affected by your work activities (excuse the gender specific language these rules apply to ALL employers)

It’s also important to consider the competence of your employees when conducting risk assessments This will help you understand the level of information, training, and super vision you need to provide

The consequences of poor risk assessments

Not having solid (and up to date) risk assessments can lead to accidents, injuries, fines and prosecutions by putting your employees safety on the line

In terms of severity, illness, injur y, and death are some of the most disastrous consequences following poor risk assessments

When fatalities do happen, often employers failing to complete, review or act upon the results of risk assessments emerge as the root causes

The legal implications of poor risk assessments include enforcement notices, prosecution, fines and even imprisonment

Common risks in the painting sector:

• Slips, trips and falls

• Hazardous substances

• Manual handling

• Workplace stress

Support from experts you can trust

Citation’s risk assessment support helps keep your employees safe, with over 1000 risk assessment templates and 24/7 advice covering ever ything from COSHH to stress risk assessments If you’d like to chat about how they can help, call 0345 844 1111 and quote ‘The Painting and Decorating Association’ to access preferential rates

Welcome TO THE ASSOCIATION...

PA I N T C H E C K P L U S

PAINTCHECKPLUS IS A new website to assist those within the paint and painting industr y, including the experienced tradesperson as well as those new to the industr y The information on Paintcheckplus would benefit architects, sur veyors, clerks of works and other professionals who are involved in the writing of specifications in both the private and public sectors who are responsible for the use of paint on new or maintenance works

A prime objective of Paintcheckplus is to assist decorators when contentious site problems arise, and to prevent matters escalating to a higher level by referencing the problems and remedies section

Other sections of Paintcheckplus include a comprehensive paint and painting glossary of terms, with subsections for the decorators and other building trades, including many examples of the least common terms

Generic specifications are inc for the more difficult substrates, along with several pages covering ‘Tools and Equipment’ and ‘Health and Safety’

The ‘And much more’ section includes reference to Advanced Decorating Skills including Wide width wall coverings, graining, marbling, sign writing, materials, and tools and equipment

Building Components, British Standards and associated regulatory standards including BS 8000, BS6150 and BS476 are all covered, with direct web links to their home pages

Many will find the pages on Paint Manufacturing and Quality Control helpful, along with some comprehensive information relating to the different types of scaffolding

Your choice for paint and wallpaper

Charon Pink from the Albany Shangri-La Wallpaper Collection

ADVICE for our Members

A GUIDE TO CLAIMING PRE-TRADING EXPENSES AS A SOLE TRADER

KEEPING YOUR COSTS to a minimum is advised when starting a business, because it means you can pay off your start up costs sooner and then start to make a profit You also risk losing less money if the business doesn’t get off the ground

Some sole trader businesses can be launched with little or no money, but in many other cases, starting a new business means having to buy many products and ser vices, and those costs can soon mount up

Whether it costs a lot or relatively little to start your sole trader business, you can claim tax relief for ‘pre trading’ expenses, which can lower your tax bill significantly

What are pre trading expenses?

As the name suggests, pre trading expenses are costs that result from buying products and ser vices to get your sole trader business read y to start trading Sole traders usually cover these expenses out of their own pocket when starting their business and it can be easy to forget some of them, so keep a detailed record of all your start up purchases and expenses, so you can claim them all back

As long as things are bought ‘wholly and exclusively’ for ‘the purposes of a trade, profession or vocation’ before you start your business then HMRC would class them as ‘allowable’ (ie a legitimate business expense that is subject to tax relief) had your business started trading, you can claim them as if they were an expense incurred on your first day of trading

Need to know! Tax relief for pre trading expenses is only available to the person who bought the products or ser vices and who starts the sole trader business

Which pre-trading expenses can be claimed?

Sole traders can claim a wide range of allowable expenses, including stock and raw materials, rent, mortgage interest repayments, rates, utilities, business insurance, phone and broadband costs, printing, stationery and office costs, bank, loans and credit card charges

Other allowable expenses include advertising, marketing, accountancy and professional fees, vehicle, travel and accommodation costs, as well as safety wear and business branded clothing

GoSimple offer digital income, expenses and tax submission all in one. Recommended by the PDA and London Association of Master Decorators

All PDA Members get 30% discount on GoSimpleTax!

Log into the Member’s area of the PDA website and navigate to Tax Advice for a special link to GoSimpleTax!

You may well have needed to pay some of these before registering as self employed or starting your sole trader business, creating expenses in the process For example, you might have bought raw materials to create products to show to potential customers, or you may have had leaflets, brochures or business cards designed and printed You could have made many phone calls

Maybe you paid a designer to create a logo for you or you needed to buy a website domain or website subscription You may have needed to make business related journeys, using your own vehicle or by public transport, to visit potential customers or suppliers Potentially, these and many others could be claimed as pre trading expenses

Need to know! Visit government website GOV uk for more information about allowable expenses when running a sole trader business

When should you claim costs as capital allowances?

If you use ‘traditional accounting’ methods (ie where you record income and expenses by the date you invoiced or were billed), you claim capital allowances when you buy assets you keep to use in your business, such as equipment, machiner y, tools and business vehicles (cars, vans, and lorries)

If you use ‘cash basis accounting’ methods (ie you only record income or expenses in your accounts after you receive money or pay a bill) and buy a car for your business, you claim this as a capital allowance, but all other assets you buy and keep in your business should be claimed as an allowable expense

Top tip! If you’re registered for VAT, you may be able to claim back the VAT you’ve paid on pre trade products and ser vices you’ve bought

How to claim pre trade/trading expenses

As with allowable expenses when running a business, you must have proof to support your claim for pre trading expenses This usually means an invoice or detailed sales receipt showing what you’ve bought, when and how much you’ve paid You don’t have to submit these with your Self Assessment tax return, but HMRC can later request evidence of any expense you claim Fraudulent claims can lead to serious penalties

Detailing all of your start up purchases and costs in accounting software or even a simple spreadsheet will make later claiming pre trading costs much simpler and quicker

Basically, you claim Income Tax relief for your pre trade/trading expenses as if they were allowable expenses in your Self Assessment tax return for your first year of trading

These are deducted, together with any tax allowances to which you’re entitled, before your tax bill for your first year in business is calculated HMRC will contact you to tell you how much tax you owe

Need to know! If you complete and file your first Self Assessment tax return when required, but later remember a pre trade expense that you failed to claim for, you have up to 12 months to amend your tax return

Member Discounts and Offers

Don’t forget to check out the Discounts and Offers tab in the Member Resources area at www.paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk for exclusive benefits from all these companies and more!

RUL I NG U P H E L D ON HO L I DAY E N T I T L E M E N T

ALL WORKERS ARE entitled to the statutor y minimum of 5 6 weeks’ annual leave per year A week’s leave will always be the same amount of time as the working week which the employee would usually work

The 5 6 week statutor y entitlement is straightforward, employees and other workers who work a five day week must receive at least 28 days’ paid annual leave a year

Part time workers are entitled to paid holiday too, for example, if they work three days a week they must get at least 16 8 days’ leave a year (3×5 6)

Where workers keep irregular hours or work under a contract with no guaranteed hours (zero hours or casual hours contracts), there are no regulations on how to convert the 5 6 week holiday entitlement into days or hours

In a case that is relevant to companies that use zero hour or casual worker contracts, the Supreme Court has upheld the previous tribunal and court rulings, that holiday entitlement and pay for ‘part year’ workers on permanent contracts cannot be pro rated according to the actual time worked and that all workers are entitled to 5 6 weeks’ leave for each year they are contracted, regardless of actual time worked under the contract

The Supreme Court’s ruling

In ruling Harpur v Brazel Trust, the Supreme Court considered the holiday pay entitlement of a worker who worked var ying hours for a school under a contract that continued throughout the year, but only worked during the academic term time weeks of the year

The school calculated the hours she had worked at the end of each term, took 12 07% of that figure and paid her the hourly rate for that number of hours as holiday

The teacher challenged this and argued that her holiday pay should not be pro rated in this way, as calculating her holiday pay using this method was not permitted under the Working Time Regulations

She brought an employment tribunal claim for unlawful deductions from her wages by underpayment of her entitlement to holiday pay, as she should instead be paid a week’s pay based on her average earnings for each of the 5 6 weeks’ leave to which she was entitled

The holiday pay claim was upheld on appeal by both the Employment Appeal Tribunal and the Court of Appeal, who both agreed that she had been underpaid holiday pay due to the incorrect holiday pay calculation applied and that the wording of the legislation was clear that she should be paid a week’s pay for each of the 5 6 weeks’ leave to which she was entitled

The question that the Supreme Court was asked to address was whether or not the school was correct to calculate her statutory leave and pay entitlement on a pro rata basis, as a proportion of the hours that full time employees worked, which would mean that the weeks she did not work during the school holidays reduced her

holiday pay entitlement; or whether her annual leave entitlement must be calculated ignoring those weeks when she did not work

The Supreme Court upheld the previous decisions of the Court of Appeal and the Employment Appeal Tribunal in the same case, ruling that as she is defined as a Worker by the Working Time Regulations, she is entitled to 5 6 weeks of paid annual leave in each year This sta tutor y holiday entitlement cannot be pro ra ted to reflect the actual number of weeks worked per year

Commentary

This is not new law, as the Supreme Court has agreed with the previous decisions of the Court of Appeal and Employment Appeal Tribunal in the same case However, as the Supreme Court is the final appeal court, this ruling means the law will not change (without new legislation)

The decision confirms that calculating holiday entitlement for casual workers and zero hour workers at the rate of 12 07% of hours worked, has been rejected by the final court of appeal and should no longer be relied on

Businesses who engage workers on these types of contracts should review their arrangements for workers in these cases

To access the Law Hub, with practical DIY templates and guidance around topics such as employment and health and safety law, get a token code from the PDA office and sign up for free on www.markellaw.co.uk/registration

SAFETY MATTERS

HOW TO USE A SCISSOR LIFT SAFELY

THE MAJORITY OF the accidents and fatalities that take place on construction sites can be avoided if simple workplace health and safety precautions are implemented

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety According to the HSE Health and safety report 2020 21, the construction industry is the most dangerous industry with 39 fatal injuries

Workers have one of the most dangerous roles in any sector, especially when heavy gear and electrical hazards are involved Furthermore, working at heights and handling heavy materials might expose you and your employees to a variety of hazards

Scissor lifts are often found on construction sites as they are ideal for completing precise tasks at high elevations However, they can also be a dangerous piece of machiner y if not used correctly, we look at how to use them safely

About Scissor lifts

Scissor lifts are ideal for working in tight spaces since they are so agile They help workers perform tasks at great heights However, they can be dangerous when used inappropriately, or by an untrained operator, or when not properly maintained and ser viced Construction businesses mainly use three types of scissor lifts:

1 The Hydraulic, which lifts the platform with hydraulic fluid So, warehouses, construction sites, and outdoor spaces are all areas where hydraulic scissor lifts are used

2 Mechanical, includes both electrical and diesel powered versions The electrical ones are small and narrow, best used indoors while diesel powered ones are suitable for outdoor sites as they produce exhaust fumes

3 The Pneumatic is the one which raises the platform with air pressure These lifts work without any electrical system or hydraulics so require less maintenance In addition, they are an environmentally friendly option with lower carbon emissions

Scissor lift safety precautions

Businesses should understand that all work at height on a scissor lift must be planned, super vised adequately, and carried out in a reasonably safe manner, according to the Work at Height Regulations 2005 Protect yourself against unexpected situations by incorporating the following practices:

• It’s a good exercise to always perform a pre work inspection Inform your employees to never use a lift without first ensuring that its components are in good operating order This will decrease the risks by a significant margin

• As a business it is your responsibility to train your workers to a high degree before they can operate any machinery Only permit the use of the lift if the operator is trained The manufacturer’s operating guidelines can ensure workers’ safety

• If the lift is being used outdoors, the environment around it really matters So, choose a workspace that is free of electrical power sources, such as power lines, transformers, and other overhead hazards such as branches and overhangs should be kept free of the lift

• As mentioned, Hydraulic and Mechanical scissor lifts can be used outdoors Therefore, never use a scissor lift during severe weather An elevated scissor lift can easily be knocked down by the wind If there is a chance of rain or strong winds, avoid using the scissor lift outside The wind rating on most scissor lifts is 12 5 m/s or less

• This might sound like stating the obvious but don't put too much weight on the lift Consult the lift's specifications guide to find out how much weight can be loaded onto the platform

• The lift super visor should ensure that the operators are fit on the day to use the lift If your operator reports feeling uneasy or mentally stressed, it is best for them to avoid using the lift, as it could result in incorrect use or injur y

Construction insurance with Premierline

Rest easy knowing your insurance needs have been fully assessed by the experienced advisors at Premierline Contact your dedicated team on 0330 102 2173 or by emailing pda@premierline.co.uk

HSE responsibilities at Construction sites

Being the most dangerous sector, construction businesses must abide by laws such as:

• The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

• The Work at Height Regulations 2005

• The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM)

These laws establish general health and safety rules for both employers and employees in the workplace

The CDM regulations are specifically for construction businesses, and the law places duties on ever yone involved in the construction process

The duties include preparing the construction phase plan, identifying risks, and liaising with stakeholders

When working in an industry such as construction, any tradesman will know the smallest mistake can have major consequences, meaning construction insurance that covers the risks that your business faces should be a top priority At Premierline, they are passionate about helping you protect the business that you have built Premierline provide insurance advice and will assess your insurance needs to make sure that you are covered should the worst happen Their business insurance advisors work with some of the UK’s most well known insurance providers to find you a competitive construction insurance quote.

GALA

Join us and fellow PDA Members in Shakespeare’s birthplace, Stratford upon Avon, for our Gala Dinner

The Gala Dinner will be followed by celebrating the winners of the Apprentice Paperhanger of the Year awards, kindly sponsored by Brewers Decorator Centres Then enjoy the rest of the evening with live music from the very talented Daniel Morgan Hayes and friends

The night provides a great opportunity for PDA Members and their guests to network, celebrate achievements and enjoy a five star evening.

The evening’s setting is Stratford Manor Hotel, which is hidden in the peaceful Warwickshire countryside, just three miles from the M40 and Stratford upon Avon.

Why not extend your evening into a relaxing weekend break? The hotel offers an indoor pool, spa facilities and free parking, and is an ideal base to explore Warwickshire and the Cotswolds

Looking for some cultural and historical highlights? Explore Stratford upon Avon from the comfort of an open top hop on hop off bus and see key attractions, from Anne Hathaway’s Cottage to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

If booking package

or

please

NEW PRINCIPAL AND CEO AT LEEDS COLLEGE

THE FIRST FEMALE Principal and CEO of Leeds College of Building has started in post Nikki Davis, the College’s former Vice Principal for Teaching, Learning & Quality, takes over from Derek Whitehead who announced his retirement in Februar y Nikki is the first female CEO and Principal in the College’s 60 year histor y

Nikki began her career in hospitality, but then moved into various roles at a number of Colleges and Universities before moving to Leeds College of Building in May 2019, just prior to the Covid 19 pandemic Despite the challenges, the College has grown and now holds a strong position with exciting plans ahead

Nikki said, “I’m delighted to take up this role in preparation for the new academic term, and to build on the College’s previous successes and first rate tradition of delivering exceptional training to learners from across the UK This is an exciting time for the College, and I very much look forward to working with students, staff, employers, and partners to ensure that Leeds College of Building delivers on its potential ” Leeds College of Building is focused on improving diversity under Nikki ’s leadership, along with promoting inclusivity and access for all to the opportunities offered by the construction sector The College is also engaged in green and sustainable skills training to help contribute to critical national net zero targets

Leeds College of Building teaches around 5,500 students, covering 16 18 full time study programmes, adult provision, HE courses, and bespoke programmes for employers Over half of these students are enrolled on apprentice training across all areas of the College’s provision, from Level 2 up to degree apprenticeships

In 2019, the College was graded ‘Good’ in all areas in its Ofsted inspection and opened phase two of its £13m South Bank Campus Inspections now show quality at ‘good or better’, HE meets all UK standards, and the ESFA gave the College a ‘good’ rating, indicating a healthy financial position

Peter Norris, Leeds College of Building Chair of Governors, added, “The College is passionately committed to inclusivity in construction and promoting diversity in the workforce Not only will the appointment ensure seamless continuity, but Nikki also has outstanding knowledge of leadership in the Further Education sector ”

PDA AND DULUX SELECT MEMBERS STEP IN TO HELP

WHEN PDA MEMBER Robert Alexander read about the plight of Sadie Kemp, his first reaction was to get in touch and offer help

Earlier in the year, mum of two Sadie Kemp was left with life changing injuries after sur viving sepsis She had the fingers on both hands amputated after being placed into an induced coma for 11 days, when she entered septic shock while doctors removed a kidney stone from her body on Boxing Day last year She has now had an operation to amputate her legs below the knee

Hearing that Sadie was moving into a new house, Robert called to say he would organise the decoration for her

“The house was a 1960’s bungalow requiring redecoration and refurbishment As a Member of the PDA and Dulux Select Decorators, I knew that I could rely on fellow Members and the manufacturers to come to the rescue,” Robert told The Decorator

“I contacted Dulux, who reached out to the local Dulux Decorator Centre, and I also got in touch with Brewers in Peterborough, and both were happy to supply the mat i l

“I then put a post on the Dulux Select Forum, and five decorators put their names down Les Copestake from Gloucester, Peter Whiter from Essex, Paul Bannister from Lincoln, and Jack Allsop and Fabio Casciaro from Graham Halpenn Decorators in Cambridge

“The house needed two bedrooms stripped and required extensive filling and preparation on the walls First up, the hallway was stripped and lined Then the ceilings and walls were painted with Dulux and Albany Durable Matt All woodwork was painted with Dulux oil based eggshell In total, it took five days to complete

“A shout out should also go to Hassan from Teka Flooring in Peterborough, who got involved and is fitting all new carpets and wooden flooring free of charge

“A big thank you to Vickie Mather from Dulux Select, who paid to feed us, and Belinda Halpenny, who supplied drinks, cakes, and biscuits to keep us going!

“It was a fantastic experience as it brought ever yone together, and we did something for someone who has been through a rough time ”

Thanks to Robert for sharing this with us and well done to all involved in the project and to Robert for bringing it all together and coming to the aid of someone in need

Spartakus Group Ltd

The interior of this mansion house on Hampstead Lane, London required a lot of preparation before painting walls, ceiling and woodwork using Farrow & Ball products

A B Decor

This home was fully redecorated, with special attention required on the wooden window

and door which were throroughly sanded down and prepared before coating up.

P B Painting & Decorating

Gillie & Son

DM Decorating

Full redecoration included a pantry ceiling with large cracks and holding moisture, repaired and treated with stain blocker before finishing with Tikkurila Anti Reflex 2 Walls were painted with Tikkurila Vinyl Matt which has a class 2 scrub rating, woodwork was sanded back thoroughly, filled, primed twice with an adhesion primer for durability, then finally three top coats of Tikkurila Helmi 30

On the Cover

Ben Smith Decorating /bensmithdecorating

Rodgers Decorating Services

This conservatory, and other windows, were overhauled by spot priming with Zinsser B I N spray cans, overall priming with Sayerlack AU474 and finished with Johnstone’s Aqua Guard

Ben Smith Decorating completed this exterior refurbishment in early August using Zinsser Allcoat in black and white. The previous paint had failed badly on the wood cladding in the high exposed areas, so was thoroughly stripped back before repainting began on the residential home in West Sussex

of vouchers from Brewers are now on the way to Ben Smith Decorating for their winning Gallery entry!

TRADE Insights

Tell us a bit about Pioneer Brushes...

Pioneer Brush is an off shoot of my experience and knowledge, and has grown to be one of the foremost manufacturers of paintbrushes worldwide Most of what we produce is sold as ‘private label’ but we have been slowly and steadily building our own brand in the UK now for some years, and count many of the major stores in the market now as customers We produce over 18 million brushes a year in our factor y in Tianjin, China and supply more than 20 countries worldwide with a range of over 5000 skus From flats to ovals, rounds, radiators, stencils, fitches and dusters, all in styles and specifications to suit each market’s requirement

What’s the innovation in the range?

Our eco range is an extension of the professional range we produce for the UK market The concept is this We believe strongly that global warming and climate change are real and feel that ever y industr y needs to look at the products it produces and tr y to adapt to use materials that have less impact on the environment So long as those materials do not affect the performance of the product in any negative way Simply put; our Spirit Renaissance eco range is a professional quality range but with eco credentials

To achieve this, we looked at each part of the standard range of decorating tools and used eco materials wherever possible So, for the brushes and roller frames, for instance, we were able to substitute plastics and hard woods with composite materials made from sustainable bamboo and recycled polypropylene The

resulting handles are not only light, comfortable, and easy to grip but are also strong and hard wearing

The same principle applies to the roller fabrics, the dustsheets, and the paint trays and inserts We are not changing the performance of the product Just adding environmentally friendly components where we can Corn starch extract to make biodegradable dustsheets, bamboo cellulose yarns for the fabrics, and recycled paper for the trays

What made you want to bring these to market?

We think that decorating products are an ideal categor y for an eco range Many items are designed for short term use and these are used and thrown away into landfill Painting and decorating is by no means a small industr y, if the trade in general decides to substitute fossil fuel based components with eco friendly components, that will have an impact We are tr ying to encourage this process to happen

Where can decorators get their hands on them?

We are selling through Brewers, many independents such as Paintwell and Leyland SDM, and are in discussions with others with a view to launch in their stores in the next few months We’ll see what happens but are ver y keen for the range to succeed and be available across the UK in multiple locations

Peter Samuel Managing Director Pioneer Brushes

I started my career in the brush industry in 1985, working as a trader for one of the leading merchants in brush making raw materials, Delbanco Meyer & Co, based in London The company operated worldwide sourcing all types of components (especially natural bristles but also synthetic filaments, roller fabrics, roller frames, plastics, epoxy resins etc) and selling these to brush factories all across the globe Working there eventually gave me an in depth knowledge not only of the paintbrush industr y and the raw materials used in manufacturing but also of the manufacturing processes themselves and the different techniques employed in different countries

We asked Peter Samuel from Pioneer Brush about his experience and building up the brand...

P&Dnews

THINGS GET LESS HAIRY FOR NICK

BREWERS LYMINGTON BRANCH Manager, Nick Jordan, became part of a recent event organised by the incredible Jess Webb, a 17 year old on a mission to raise as much money as possible for Huntington’s Disease

So far, Jess has raised a phenomenal £31,000, organising a charity ball, a tandem skydive, a super car track day at Goodwood and a 50 day charity press up challenge to name just a few! Jess has been fundraising since she was 10 years old after losing loved ones to Huntington’s Disease

“I am highly dedicated and motivated to raising funds, I have seen the devastating impact HD has had on my family, not only do I want to raise essential funds to support research and families affected but I also want to raise awareness of the condition ”

Huntington’s Disease is a rare genetic progressive, degenerative neurological condition for which there is currently no cure Symptoms usually start between 35 40 years of age and life expectancy is around 15 20 years from diagnosis/symptoms

In his down time, Nick is the chief instructor at OSSKA, a karate organisation Jess regularly attends Jess approached Nick with the fabulous idea of completing a 10 mile bike ride around the Emsworth and Westbourne area

Alongside the bike ride, Nick also agreed to setting some fundraising challenges At £100 he agreed to have his legs waxed, and at £350 he agreed to having his armpits waxed! Another OSSKA instructor, Dave, also shaved his beloved beard at £200 raised When Brewers learned about the event, their Foundation donated an extra £500 to the event

So far, the event has managed to raise £1,110, bringing the overall total to over £32,000!

A huge congratulations to Jess for some truly outstanding fundraising and well done to Nick and Dave for being good sports! To find out more head over to Jess’ Just Giving page https://www justgiving com/fundraising/osska

ARMSTEAD TRADE TEAMS UP TO KICK-OFF ITS LATEST CAMPAIGN

THIS SUMMER SAW the coming together of Armstead Trade’s newly formed group of trade mentors, the Armstead Allies, and Volunteer It Yourself (VIY) to transform the Nottinghamshire Clubs for Young People Alka Dass at Armstead said, “As part of AkzoNobel’s long term commitment to giving back to local communities under our People Planet Paint approach, we wanted to put the expertise of the trade front and centre of our latest campaign The ambition is all about promoting the profession and getting younger people into the trade We have an ageing population and this is reflected in the demographic of painters and decorators

“We’ve always believed in the positive power of paint to transform spaces through colour, and what better way to pave the path for future talent than through peer to peer learning and hands on experience from some the best in the industry? So, the Armstead Allies were born

“For a space like the Nottinghamshire Clubs for Young People, we needed a product that would last, be hardwearing, stain resistant and water based We used Armstead Trade Durable Matt, which is an ideal paint for high traffic areas that are used ever y day It was the perfect project for Armstead and the Armstead Allies ”

Armstead’s nominated Allies for the brand’s debut project in Nottingham included, Nathan Carter and his apprentice Kieran from Nice Decor, Seán Kelly from Seán Kelly Enterprises Ltd, Billy Flynn from Flynn & Co, and Mike Cupit from Mike Cupit Décor

Between them they hold over 70 years of painting and decorating experience and regularly use Armstead for their client jobs, they were the perfect ambassadors for this project in collaboration with VIY On the day, they guided 10 young people, provided them with practical learning and advice and gave them a real taste of what a career in painting and decorating is like

“We already have a longstanding partnership with VIY as part of our Dulux Let’s Colour programme,” Dass explains, “We are incredibly supportive of their work and we will continue to explore ways of giving back to communities and bringing in young people to trade ”

VIY is a social enterprise that works with 14 24 year olds who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) or at risk of disengagement/exclusion from mainstream education and training They give young people access to DIY and volunteering by challenging

them to help repair and refurbish youth and community facilities, whilst learning vocational trade skills on the job

Hannah Green at Volunteer It Yourself said, “This collaboration with Armstead and its Armstead Allies initiative was a no brainer At VIY, we’re all about giving people hands on experience, learning from professional tradespeople Ultimately, we want to give them a taste of the trade, help them gain Entry Level City & Guilds trade skills accreditations and further work readiness skills, whilst helping to renovate valued community places in need ”

“This is only the start of our Armstead Allies journey,” Dass continues, “The debut Nottinghamshire Clubs for Young People project has exceeded all expectations, and we’re already getting interest from the trade to get involved in upcoming projects Feel free to sign up to our Armstead newsletter from our website if you’re interested in finding out more from the brand and future activity ”

If you are currently mentoring your own apprentice, find out more about Dulux Academy’s recently launched Apprentice Season Ticket at https://academy duluxtradepaintexpert co uk/

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE AT THIS YEAR’S MAIN EVENT

NOT LONG TO go now before the P&D Show opens its doors in Coventr y to thousands of decorators keen to see all that’s new and outstanding in our vibrant industr y

A busy day awaits, and one well worth while taking time off site, according to the organisers, “Whatever your interest, product innovation from over 100 suppliers, best practice, discounts across masses of products, or just a fun day out with competitions and free samples thrown in there will be something for you at the show ”

As the trade’s major national hub the show provides an opportunity for the PDA to meet new and existing Members, and once again to hold its AGM during the first morning

Anyone unfamiliar with the work of the Association can catch a presentation in the MasterClass theatre, and there will be a big incentive for new decorators to sign up for Membership

Other business boosting seminars include PaintTech Training Academy showing you how to grow and upskill your decorating business through the CITB funding channels Decorators Growth Club will explain how to future proof your decorating business, and Jamie Mintrim from AppyQuote will talk about his experience in the decorating trade and offer some interesting insights into systems that worked with his trade business

Adding value to your day out are goody bags from Brewers and TradeKart, free samples from Olfa, Indasa, and 3M, and great discounts from Isomat, Flex Tools, Clever Paints and Littlefair, as well as the PDA of course!

Prize draws by Ciret and Mirka will give everyone the chance to win some fantastic products worth thousands of pounds

Entry is FREE, simply register at www.paintshow.co.uk

booklet when you arrive to help you make a beeline for some great offers

CROWN PRODUCTS SUPPORT MATERIAL SOURCE STUDIO

CROWN PAINTS HAS provided a specification ser vice for the design of Material Source Studio (MSS), the Manchester based hub for architects and designers, as part of its involvement as a partner at the Studio

The first of its kind in the UK, the Studio is set across two levels in the Hanover Building in NOMA, central Manchester It features a wealth of inspirational exhibits and interactive displays from 40+ leading brands operating in the commercial interiors and built environment sectors

As part of the refurbishment of the historic building, which has stood vacant for almost 50 years, Cro wn products were selected by creative director of Material Source Studio, Darren Clanford, alongside other partner products and materials Cro wn provided a full specification of products and instructions for application

Colour matches were created by George Zukowski, Research and Development Team Leader at Crown Paints and the Crown Colour Studio

The products used were from Crown’s Clean Extreme and Fast Flow range due to its suitability for high traffic areas Additionally, its Breatheasy formulation, which is 99% solvent free, means that it is low odour and quick dr ying, whilst providing a solvent based finish with all the benefits of a water based system

The team also collaborated with Gresham, leading British designer and manufacturer of workplace furniture, making colour matching recommendations for the paint used on its POD

Cro wn Colour Consultant, Kathr yn Lloyd, with the support of the Colour Labs and Technical team, designed a bespoke range of samples of Cro wn Trade Clean Extreme Scrubbable Matt paint to allow visitors to gauge a clear idea of the paint finish and colour Samples are available for visitors to take away or compare with other products on display in other parts of Material Source

A3 boards painted in Clean Extreme are also displayed alongside the exhibit which people can use when moving

around the Studio to compare with fabrics and finishes of other suppliers’ products

To mark the launch of MSS, Cro wn worked with Lancashire based artist Alexandra Gallagher to create an eye catching mural for the trends wall at its exhibit as a further source of inspiration To refresh the Studio for the new season, Cro wn’s exhibit was recently updated to feature a number of room sets reflecting their Autumn Winter trends for 2022

MORRIS & CO. PAINTS

NOW AT BREWERS

IF YOU’RE AN Arts & Crafts aficionado, prepare to be delighted at the debut paint range from the icon that is Morris & Co With 40 timeless hues to choose from, inspiration for the palette has been drawn from the company’s rich heritage, including 19th century logbooks and William Morris designs straight from the archive

The paint collection is hand mixed by Morris & Co ’s own expert craftspeople manufactured in the UK, ensuring the legacy of William Morris is upheld

The collection features two finishes; Chalky Matt and Eggshell Morris & Co ’s Chalky Matt will bring an immersive depth of colour to your interior whilst Morris & Co ’s Eggshell is highly opaque, providing a fresh, enduring look to wood and metalwork Both finishes offer exceptional coverage and with minimal VOC levels, they are kinder to the planet

Every colour tells a story

Ever y single colour in the collection has been named purposefully, reminiscent of a design or logbook entr y found in the Morris & Co archive, allowing you to discover the joy of colour and what it means to the Arts & Crafts movement Selecting a colour from the Morris & Co Paint Collection allows you to invite this rich histor y into your home

For

MUSIC HELPS THOSE IN NEED

JOHN HENRY AT Brewers Dereham has been using his love for music to help others once again, this time organising a charity evening to raise funds for the people of Ukraine John’s band Exposè and many other performers took to the stage at Dereham Football Club last month

Back in 2020, Exposè raised awareness and money for Mental Health UK, raising over £1200 for the fantastic charity Their cover of No Regrets by Midge Ure allowed the band to raise £630 which Brewers doubled to donate to the charity

This year, the band teamed up with other performers to put on a fantastic show at Dereham Town FC Other performers included Dawes & Nash, Joe Goes Green Band and Hydra UK, a Toto tribute band Music student Bohdana also performed, singing in Ukrainian as a refugee from Kyiv herself

There was also an auction on the night which included a signed guitar by members of Iron Maiden, Manfred Mann and the Cockney Rejects Brewers donated £500 which helped the total raised to just under £2000!

The cheque was presented to Love Dereham, a local charity inspiring community action, supporting those in need and show love to the people of Dereham Love Dereham have partnered with Ian Odgers who has welcomed over 60 people to the Dereham Ukraine Aid Centre since it opened, and the money raised will make a huge difference

This is a fantastic example of how music can bring people together! A huge congratulations to ever ybody who was involved in the event who pulled off such a successful evening Join the Brewers community on Facebook or Instagram @BrewersPaints

WHAT WILL YOU DISCOVER?

BREWERS LINCOLN IS now open at Discovery Trade Park on Whisby Road As a part of a brand new trading estate in the south of Lincoln, they are in a fantastic location offering the finest brands in paint, wallpaper, woodcare and fabrics are all under one roof

From their exclusive brand Alban y, to Benjamin Moore, the depth of product range is designed to meet the needs of ever y decorator in Lincoln, with tinting facilities for all major brands With a showroom designed to inspire, take your time to browse the hundreds of wallpaper books to find the perfect design for you Andy Waby will be managing the store and has over 20 years’ experience within the trade, what Andy doesn’t know about paint isn’t worth knowing!

Head into store today for exclusive offers, and goody bags for new account customers, there’s no time to waste!

Perfectly precise every time.

Precision is the new standard. tesa Precision Mask has been raising the standard of masking for over 15 years.

Scan for more info

The new and improved Valspar Trade range – it’s a real game changer.

Expertly formulated, our most advanced water-based formulations perform where it counts, with tests showing Valspar Trade rivals the leading trade brands for ease of application, coverage and durability. We’re disrupting the status quo.

n s p i r e d b y Nature

Lush

Beautiful forest hues that are inspired by the plant filled habitats of gardens and woodlands

Dulux is celebrating two decades of Colour of the Year and has just launched its colour for 2023, Wild Wonder™, along with four complementary, versatile colour palettes that can be used to create stunning spaces across all sectors.

Further advice videos can be found online for painters and decorators looking to create the perfect space for their customers, in any setting, using Wild Wonder™

Akzonobel colour experts created the four complementary palettes around this shade to provide decorators with effective and flexible colour combinations, and support them when it comes to creating inspirational colour and design projects for their customers Professional painters and decorators can steer away from a white shade and design on trend, relaxing, spaces that their customers will love.

Wild Wonder,™ a soft gold with hints of green inspired by fresh seed pods and harvest grain, has an upbeat glow that connects us with nature, creating a sense of energy and positivity To support creating spaces around Wild Wonder™ and its colour palettes, Dulux Trade has launched a handy guide that is designed to help and inspire professional decorators and their customers, with inspirational mood boards

Karen Wilkinson at Dulux explains, “The colours chosen for this year ’ s palettes lend themselves to a wide range of settings and are a fantastic tool for appliers to identify complementary shades and create truly beautiful spaces. For example, the Raw palette offers an enriching sense of potential and creativity which is ideal for at home office spaces, and Flow instils feelings of fluidity and equilibrium which is perfect for bedrooms and living rooms as it enhances relaxation ”

“Wild Wonder speaks to us in a language we instinctively understand,” says Heleen van Gent of AkzoNobel’ s Global Aesthetic Centre

“Nature is what inspires us and makes us feel better in our lives and in our homes. That’s why, for the first time in 20 years, our entire colour palette is inspired by the rhythms of nature ”

Raw

Harvest shades that mimic nature’s raw materials

Buzz

Upbeat tones of pinks and ochres capture the biodiversity of a wildflower field or grassland

Flow

Warm neutrals and deeper seashore tones that bring a sense of fluidity and momentum

S t a y successful i n a recession

economy is in the dumps, when some businesses are going bust, when the construction industry is in a go slow mode?

One of the biggest problems in a recession is people not paying their bills. So the first thing you do is make sure all your outstanding invoices are paid, as soon as possible. The people I’ve known in the industry who’ve gone bust or quit their business, is often because a builder or some other contractor has owed them a lot of money and just not paid Make sure you’ve got staged terms in your contracts

weekly payments can work really well as people know where they stand Get money to buy paint and other materials before you buy, or at least get agreement that the client will pay you back immediately

Don’t be a bank

That brings us onto the second thing, don’t give credit Get deposits for every job, even for regular clients if you can. Don’t just invoice at the end of a job, especially if it’s a significant amount for your business The client has now got what they want, but you don’t They’re in a position of power now, and you ’ re in a position of hoping they’ll pay you promptly That’s not on Don’t give credit

Have a Plan B and a Plan C

I know I’ve banged on about this before, but always get jobs lined up in case another job cancels. You’ll know which jobs you can do that with, I always made sure that

o t h e B r i t i s h C h a m b e r s o f C o m m e r c e, t h e B a n k o f E n g l a n d , a n d m a ny o t h e r s a r e p r e d i c t i n g t h a t w e ’ r e a b o u t t o e n t e r a r e c e s s i o n . W h a t c a n w e d o a b o u t i t ? l a r g e s c a l e, v e r y l i t t l e i n d e e d I f i t ’ s r a i n i n g y o u s t o p i t r a i n i n g , u n l e s s y o u h a v e s o m e k i n d o f s u p e r h e r o p o w e r s ( M a y b e y o u d o ? ) , b u t y o u c a n p u t o n a r a i n c o a t , y o u c a n g r a b a n u m b r e l l a , a n d y o u c a n m a k e s u r e y o u h a v e s o m e i n t e r i o r d e c o r a t i n g w o r k t o d o .

with every exterior job, I had interior work to drop into if the weather is bad

Remain flexible, if you specialise in new builds but the housing market is stagnant, find out what else you can do, lots of people choose to renovate their existing property when they can’t buy a new home.

Costs

I break my costs down in a weekly spreadsheet, so I know what’s coming out. If money is tight, see what you can cut without having an impact on profits, but be careful about throwing the baby out with the bathwater. If you have a key employee who does great work but is your biggest cost, think very carefully before giving them their P45

Marketing

Make sure you ’ re visible to the people you want to buy your services. When looking for new work, your first port of call must always be your past clients. But also, make sure your website is up to date, write a new blog to freshen it up, put some interesting posts on social media about work you ’ ve done or are doing, or even some advice about getting properties spruced up for Christmas If you want commercial clients, try a bit of business networking, it’s low cost for potential decent returns.

Sales

Don’t give discounts, but give options Cash might be tight for some people but they still need work done. Perhaps that ceiling will do for another few years? Perhaps you can just decorate a few key rooms instead of the whole house? Perhaps advise something a little more relaxed and better value than that gold wallpaper... Especially if the client might be moving house soon

Attitude is everything

Don’t batten down the hatches and hope to ride out the tempest, grab hold of the mast, put your face to the wind and ride out the economic storms with positivity, responsiveness, gusto and determination That’s how you’ll succeed in a recession.

Charlie Budd

Each Autumn, Graham & Brown announces its Design of the Year and Colour of the Year As we look to the future, and the world becomes more aware of the impact humans are having on our planet, we are mindful of the decisions we make and their repercussions. With that in mind the in house design studio has chosen to bring life and colour to long forgotten pieces in the Graham & Brown archive, focusing on recycling and rejuvenation.

Design a n d Colour o f t h e Ye a r 2023

Florenzia Dusk

The antique design has been re worked with textures and a loose hand painted finish to create a more relaxed, lived in style with a unique twist. This, teamed with the vibrant shots of colour, create an upcycled rework of a traditional archival piece

The colours are friendly and welcoming, creating a neutral an affectionate feature that can also be bold and creative. The deep navy tones introduce depth to the design, whilst the use of golden and rusty hues add a playful pop of colour

Florenzia is available in three other colour ways, in addition to Dusk is the vibrant Botanico, moody Nightshade, and opulent Terrazzo Florenzia Botanico is the brightest design, tinted with vivid blues, reds and yellows. Nightshade is mysterious and full of depth, with lilac and plum tones running through the design Finally, Florenzia Terrazzo encompasses a rich background with bight pops of florals bringing a playful nature to the design Each design is available as wallpaper, made to measure wall mural, made to measure curtains and blinds, cushions and bed linen

Alizarin

To complement Florenzia, Colour of the Year is Alizarin

A deep and moody, yet refreshingly warm auburn hue, Alizarin is an affectionate and all embracing hue, dark enough to bring colour and depth to a space, yet naturally uplifting and inspiring, providing a creative alternative to the grey and beige shades that have grown wearisome. It can be used in small spaces to create a cocooning effect or in larger rooms to transform the space into an opulent abode, Alizarin can also add a timeless look to exterior surfaces.

/grahamandbrown

Florenzia Terrazzo

Florenzia Botanico

Florenzia Nightshade

Change i s not t h e o n l y constant

The owner of the property contacted me following a recommendation from a previous customer, a full eight months prior to the start date! They had decided to knock a wall through to open the Lounge and Dining Room into a single space, which led to the Hall, Stairs and Landing also needing a freshen up

Once the construction work was finished, I emailed the customer seven days prior to the start date and asked them to kindly remove as much as possible from the rooms All flooring and any remaining furniture left was then fully covered.

My first task was to thoroughly sand all the woodwork, which included skirting boards, doorframes, window frames and sills, plus picture and dado rails, to provide a key for the undercoat and leave a completely smooth and perfect professional finish. Similar preparation was also carried on the walls and ceilings

Any cracks were filled with a ready mixed filler and white caulk applied to fill any gaps between the woodwork and walls, before applying Johnstone’s Trade Aqua Water Based Undercoat

At this point I moved on to applying Johnstone’s Trade Covaplus Vinyl Matt to the ceilings. The woodwork then received a finishing coat of Johnstone’s Trade Aqua Water Based Satin I favour using this system as it is non yellowing, quick drying, low odour with a tough durable finish Perfect for a busy household with young children I primed the newly plastered walls in the lounge and dining room with Johnstone’s Trade Jonmat Premium Contract Matt, but the customer had requested that colours were those that had originally been used prior to the alterations Inchyra Blue and Cornforth White by Farrow and Ball.

I had the colours mixed by Johnstone’s Trade in their Acrylic Durable Matt, being easy to clean it is perfect for high traffic areas such as the hall, stairs and landing.

For the panelling in the lounge, I opted for Johnstone’s Trade Eggshell, as this product is excellent for use on wood.

A house of this age has uneven walls, skirtings and coving with lots of bumps due to wear and tear over many years, with dark colours it is important to produce a perfect finish and line between woodwork and walls, with this in mind I decided to use precision masking tape to give a perfect finish and give these rooms the stunning look they deserve.

As an added extra, the customer asked if I could also paint an old tall cabinet with drawers. It is always exciting and a pleasure to do something a little bit different, especially as a dusky pink was requested The colour did not disappoint and adds a stunning statement to the room.

Being a new customer you are always unsure of expectations, J.E.N. Interiors always work to the highest of standards and it is always a pleasure and honour to work in some amazing properties and homes. After five weeks work the client was extremely happy with the finished result, and has led to further work in their home later this year.

J.E.N. Interiors (West Midlands) have been Members of the PDA since 2008, covering Birmingham and the West Midlands You can get in touch on 07958 606015 or visit www.jen-interiors.com

e s beneath

We were asked to fully redecorate the hallway, stairs and landings at this house in Moseley, Birmingham The clients previously employed us to carry out work for them a couple of times, so we already had a good relationship

This was definitely a benefit, as once we removed the old wallpaper it revealed that around a third of the plaster had failed, which also extended to a number of ceilings. Of course, this needed completely removing and replacing before any decorating work could begin, and we hadn’t included this extensive work in our original quote

With all the old plaster stripped away, we replaced all areas with plasterboard and bonding This was followed by three coats of spray plaster, with mesh imbedded into the first coat to support and brace the walls

We then moved onto the woodwork preparation by burning off all the old paint, right back to bare wood Doors were all removed so we could open any cracked joints and fill them with resin.

Once the holes, cracks and joints were filled, we sprayed a first coat of primer before filling a second time and sanding back with 240 grade sanding pads.

Whenoriginally asked to redecorate this hallway, with a three storey staircase plus landings, the owners hadn’t considered what may be hiding behind the old wallpaper. Thankfully, Image Decor Decorating & Plastering had the skills to deal with it Michell Parrish tells us about the extensive preparation and finishing work

Putting the finishing touches on the entrance lobby

A third and final coat of primer was then applied by spraying, with two coats of Sayerlack AT9 providing a beautifull smooth finish

We then wrapped up th woodwork up with brow paper and tape, so we could move on to spraying all the ceilings using Tikkurila Anti Reflex White 2. This paint is great for older properties with uneven surfaces as it eliminates flashing and removes imperfections, leaving a smooth finish.

For the walls, we brush and rollered a first coat of emulsion on before doing a ‘micro fill’, which was sanded down before applying two coats of Dulux Heritage Velvet Matt to finish the walls

Other than the problems with the old plaster, the only other issue we encountered was an ongoing shortage of materials such as bonding, but most importantly the clients love what we ’ ve done, so hopefully we’ll be asked to work for them a fourth time!

Image

F r o m P o s t O f f i c e t o T h e P a r k g a t e

The development of The Parkgate Hotel involved the renovation of two vacant listed buildings, the former Cardiff Central Post Office and the old County Court, within the Cardiff City Centre conservation area, along with the construction of a six storey building to unite the two historic buildings.

The hotel includes 170 guest bedrooms and suites, a signature restaurant and bar, an elegant tea lounge, and a luxurious rooftop spa overlooking the capital's skyline In addition, the event spaces include the versatile Postmaster Suite, holding up to 432 people, and the more intimate Telegraph Room, an elegant private dining or meeting space for up to 50 people with an open view of the theatre kitchen

Whiterock Decorators gave us the inside story on the project...

“Our package consisted of the decoration of all ceilings, walls and all woodwork throughout the hotel. Our specialist operatives carried out the ground floor works using airless sprayers

The project had to be ready for opening for the Welsh rugby teams Autumn International with New Zealand The project's program was extremely tight, and there were a lot of early delays due to Covid and material shortages which made an already tight schedule even more challenging to deliver.

While decorating the ceilings and walls, we had to tape and drape most areas as we were working with two different colours. The woodwork was done by a mix of HVLP spraying, brush and rollers, resulting in some exceptional finishes.

Painting was done to an extremely high standard using Dulux Trade Durable Flat Matt. Beautiful period architectural features of the iconic grade II listed building, including the original ceiling in the grand lobby, have been restored to their former glory.

We encountered several leaks throughout the project, which resulted in areas having to be repaired, sealed and then fully redecorated We also encountered a lead problem in the main bar area, which had to be professionally removed before we could start any decoration in the bar area

The last couple of weeks of the project were extremely challenging. Still, with regular team briefings and all the trades working together, including late nights and every weekend, we managed to deliver the job on time which was a massive achievement for all involved “

Whiterock Decorators Ltd are Members of the PDA based in Swansea You can get in touch with them on 01792 775557 or visit their website at www.whiterockdecorators.co.u

Whiterock Decorators Ltd has recently completed the internal decorations to The Parkgate Hotel, Cardiff ’ s finest new luxury hotel within touching distance of the Principality Stadium, for the main contractor, BECT.

Davison

Solutions recently won a Commended certificate in the highly competitive Commercial Category at the PDA Premier Trophy Awards This well deserved accolade was for their work to renovate and restore the grade 1 listed Guildhall, on the vibrant quayside area of Newcastle upon Tyne, as part of the transformation into the iconic Hard Rock Café...

Hard Rock a t t h e Quayside Guildhall

The Guildhall had fallen into disrepair and was in poor condition requiring renovation works to convert the building into a Hard Rock Café The paint works were part of the multi million pound conversion, and as the building is of historical significance, this was all subject to strict controls, preserving the historic nature of the building wherever possible

The project included internal works for the bar, restaurant, shop and the ‘back of house’ Externally, repair and repainting of the doors and windows.

The finish contrasts the building's repaired and restored historic features with a modern,

iconic interior and additional seating in the mezzanine space.

Working in tight spaces, Davison Solutions require the use of mobile elevating work platforms to access many areas.

After thorough preparation, the ornate ceilings and ductworks were all spray finished, along with the historic arches, walls and timber panelling which were also fully repaired and repainted.

All products specified were sourced from Johnstone’s Trade, with all used paint tins returned to Johnstone’s for recycling.

On inspection of the work, the Trophy Awards judges noted that the project had combined industrial and creative decorating styles within the context of a corporate theme, and within the parameters of a grade 1 listed building. They commented that, ‘The finish was executed to a very high standard to give a striking result. The client was pleased with the works and postcompletion support from the contractor.’

The result is a great eating space which combines modern features against the backdrop of a beautiful architectural building. Definitely worth a visit if you’re visiting the city!

Davison Solutions are Members of the PDA based in Newcastle upon Tyne. You can call them on

or visit their website at www.davisonsolutions.co.uk

Vining Ivy

Each year Johnstone’s Trade shows its instinct in its choice of Colour of the Year to help your customers find an impactful colour for their interior and exterior projects, the 2023 Colour of the Year is no different....

Introducing Vining Ivy (PPG1148 6), a turquoise tint that is both modern and versatile Chosen from the PPG Voice of Colour palette, Vining Ivy brings together a powerful blue with delicate green to create a colour that will create a feeling of both calm and energy to your customer’s project.

The combination of blue and green hues creates a rich, modern colour that brings out the best in any interior, whilst still

providing a balanced colour for outdoors Your customers can combine it with deeper wood tints and off whites to create a natural effect to give a luxurious look and feel

“Consumers are seeking to simplify in this post COVID era, as the past two years have shed a new light on the importance of serenity and little moments,” said Donna Taylor, PPG colour expert

“This makes Vining Ivy the perfect colour for our times. The colour represents a sense of energy whilst at the same time a feeling of serenity and calm.”

The Voice of Colour palette is available exclusively in Johnstone’s Trade paints which are available at Johnstone’s Decorating Centres, independent retailers and locations across the UK and Ireland Find Vining Ivy and the rest of the 2023 trends colours at your local decorating centre.

A bold turquoise tint that offers both a calming and energising feel

THE ROLLER COLLECTION

#designed by decorators

Axus Decor rollers have been developed in close partnership with decorators. The selection features premium fabrics, processed with advanced technologies, for unparalleled performance.

There’s a suitable roller for every type of paint and every surface. SCAN THE QR TO DISCOVER:

Roller Selector:

Features & Benefits

Axus Décor Silk Touch Brush Set @axusdeor www.axusdecor.com

Choosing the right brush for the job can involve many factors such as cost, size, quality, longevity, handle, filaments and availability Axus Décor has earned respect from both trade and DIYers for listening to feedback and manufacturing great painting equipment, and their Silk Touch Brush Set from the Mink Series ticks these boxes for me.

The four pack consists of 1 x 3”, 1 x 1 5”, and 2 x 2”, the unvarnished handles are incredibly comfortable and are manufactured from FSC beechwood sourced from responsibly managed forests A stainless steel ferrule and pins mean no rust or issues.

I like the oval shape as I find it holds plenty of paint, yet is lighter than traditional flat brushes and sits in my hands nicely. However, it’s the filaments that make the difference A superb blend of purple and golden brown filaments of various lengths and firmness enables fast loading and even release of all types of paint and stains

Cutting in is a breeze with the Mink Silk Touch brush producing sharp lines straight from the wrapper! There is no need to wear in these brushes, just be sure to pre wet the brush with water or white spirit (according to the paint being used) beforehand and remove the excess, this helps the paint flow into and out of the brush These Mink Silk Touch brush’s finishing qualities are incredible as the chisel end effortlessly lays off whatever I am using, they’re super easy to clean too!

Dulux Heritage Velvet Matt Emulsion @duluxheritage www.duluxheritage.co.uk

When it comes to paint brands, the one that comes to mind the most in my working life is Dulux As the UK’s longest ser ving Dulux Approved Select Decorator, I’ve put my name next to theirs for nearly 27 years because I trust the paint will not let me down

I recently specified Dulux Heritage Velvet Matt Emulsion in Ash White for a child's bedroom redecoration project My client wanted quality paint with a designer look without the designer price tag, and she also needed it to be washable and durable

As professional decorators, we know it’s not just about the paint. It’s a combination of skill, preparation and choice of equipment, and the paint is like the icing on the cake I mix my paint with a Cyklone whisk to ensure the uniform colour and consistency

Features & Benefits

The paint was easy to apply and had excellent coverage, almost covering in one coat The client came home and thought I had finished! There was no picture framing or banding, and the brush and roller application joined up seamlessly, because of the longer open time, it stays wet for longer

Products independently tested and reviewed by Award Winning Decorator, Wayne de Wet

BrushKeeper / EcoBrush @brushkeeperbv www.brushkeeper.com

I’m incredibly excited to share the news of BrushKeeper, from The Netherlands This long awaited storage pod, that comes complete with a round EcoBrush is available in various sizes for either the retail or professional market

BrushKeeper is a clear PET bottle with a liquid level marker, turquoise silicone screw on lids feature different sized holes to accommodate the various size brushes 10, 12, 14 & 16 Solid lids are also available which allow touch up paint or eco cleaning fluid to be stored in the bottles

The BrushKeeper lid has a tapered inward hole on the top, this allows for the round EcoBrush fully loaded with paint or stain to be stored if you are taking a break

The EcoBrush is effective for cutting in trim and detail work, it’s also great to use as a touch up kit for scuffs and marks on finished work It has an ergonomic, wooden unvarnished and size calibrated handle, with thumb and finger indent for more grip and control Made from waste beechwood, it also benefits from a hanging hole and a one piece brushed stainless steel ferrule

The BrushKeeper is great for cleaning the EcoBrushes Fill the bottle with either water or white spirit, depending on the paint used, and wipe excess paint from the brush before submerging You can repeat and change the fluid as necessar y. The secret is to always use a twisting motion when placing the brush in or out of the BrushKeeper This avoid the soft filaments from becoming splayed out

Marshalltown Heavy Duty Paint Pail @rollinsgroup www.rollins.co.uk

Marshalltown has an incredible reputation for producing high quality plastering tools, my trowel is 25 years old and still going strong! That same attention to detail/design and high quality manufacturing has gone into the Heavy Duty Paint Pail

It’s made from a tough, durable, and non stick material Paints peel off easily when dr y, but optional transparent liners come in packs of six and are reusable

A soft grip grab handle with an adjustable black nylon cinch strap is effortless to use, for both left and right handed people I find that threading the strap back into the buckle and tucking the end into the grab handle keeps ever ything neat

Features & Benefits

‘ Soft grip adjustable grab handle

Easy peel surface

Magnetic brush holder

Pour spout

‘ Optional reusable liners

There is a thumb rest just above the cinch strap, which adds a level of support for the brush handle

Features & Benefits

‘ Clear airtight PET bottle

‘ Sizes 10, 12, 14 & 16

‘ Stores wet brushes

‘ Quality synthetic filaments

‘ Ergonomic beechwood handle

‘ One piece brushed stainless steel ferrule

It's got some great features such as a pouring spout, which makes decanting paints and stains easier and less messy There are two straight paint squeegee blades on the top left and right rim; these allow good wiping back from the brush and keep the brush from clogging in the stock area A solid built in magnet holds the brush whilst it’s not being used

done to our most recent winner, Victor Lafferty of V J Lafferty Painter and Decorator.

Smart sticker storage solution

Search: Organise by Inabox

Can’t remember where you’ve stored your sanding sheets, extra paint brushes or masking tape? Brand new to the UK and readily available on Amazon, Organise by Inabox offers the perfect solution The easy to use Organise by Inabox app and pre printed 32 or 60 QR stickers help you to store and find items easily and quickly Simply purchase your pack of stickers, download the Organise by Inabox app (iPhone compatible only), attach a QR sticker to the box you intend to use, open the app and scan your QR code Easily follow the in app, step by step process to photograph all your box contents Add a location, description and tags to help you identify your stored items later Once you’ve done all of the above you are ready to find your items again by simply searching the app See the video of it in action at https://vimeo.com/689181053

Suck up some CO2 www.graphenstone.co.uk

Graphenstone UK, the world’s most certified eco paint brand, will present its GCS Premium mineral paint at the National Painting and Decorating Show, which have been awarded a new A2 Fire Performance Classification, proven to be inherently non combustible and does not release any toxic chemicals or fumes in the event of a fire Also on show will be the new Ambient Pro+, a flagship natural lime based formulation that absorbs CO2 during the curing phase, helping to purify the air year after year via a photocatalytic process As with all of Graphenstone’s paints, Ambient Pro+ is easy to apply, offers superior coverage levels and durability, washable, and is BREEAM, WELL, and LEED compliant, providing peace of mind

More colour choice @farrowandball www.farrow-ball.com

The first additions to the Farrow & Ball colour card in four years, are inspired by moments of joy, comfort and refreshment to bring delight to any home. These versatile new shades range from a lively, flame red to a most delicate pink Unmistakably Farrow & Ball, they share a signature richness, depth, and extraordinar y response to light As our relationship with our home has changed so much over the last few years, F&B felt this was the perfect time to introduce these new colours People feel ready to show off their spaces and personal style, the Farrow & Ball palette is made even more relevant through the introduction of these gentle lights and dramatic and atmospheric darks

Pushing productiv @makitauk www.makitauk.co

Makita has launched its largest capacity batter y to date with an impressive 288 watt hours of energy The 8 0Ah BL4080F offers the longest runtime for its XGT products, especially useful when used on higher drain machines The 40VMax XGT BL4080F 8 0Ah batter y is equipped with 20 cells in a heavy duty and durable outer and casing, and is IPX4 rated with a water and dust resistant triple layer structure with enhanced terminal structure to handle any job site condition The batter y also features Makita’s digital communication function between the tool, batter y and charger to optimise the charging process, reduce charge times and protect the batter y from damage. This real time digital communication actively monitors heat, overload, and over discha well as delivering up to 2X longer sustained power during demanding applications

l UP K e e p u p t o d a t e w i t h w h a t ’ s a v a i l a b l e f o r t h e m o d e r n d e c o r a t o r

t o o

www.brewers.co.uk

off the shelf

New to Brewers Decorator Centres are the Graco Airless Cordless Paint Sprayers, designed for those looking for ultimate portability. Delivering the same performance and features of regular airless spray machines, the cordless feature allows greater freedom from power sockets, leads and generators

Each sprayer contains two hi h it 6 h Fl lt b tt i d by DeWalt which can spray u on a single batter y charge A fast charger also recharges in under 60 minutes! The po brushless DC motor also pro extended batter y run time in the lightweight, compact des you to spray all day

Cordless options of the Graco GX21, GXFF and Classic 390, are available now across the countr y

Smoother than silk @axusdecor www.axusdecor.com

Axus Decor have launched new Silk Touch roller range, as a part of its mink series, featuring unique fibres that are finer than silk that result in a beautiful finish with minimal texture The high density of fibres mean that even the shortest pile version will pick up a high amount of paint, allowing you to cover a large area before needing to reload There's a 6mm pile in 9” width, and a 10mm pile in 2”, 4”, 5” double core, 9”, and 12” sizes. The unique 2” version is an excellent alternative to a brush around electrical plates to match the finish on the rest of the wall Axus have also added a 2” Wood Finishing sleeve to their lime series, known for delivering a spray like finish on trim with all types of primers, undercoats, eggshells, satinwoods and glosses In particular, they are great for water based coatings, where standard foam rollers leave air bubbles behind

Preparation Perfection

www.hamiltondecoratingtools.co.uk

The Hamilton Perfection range of preparation tools includes the much loved scale tang stripping and filling knives, with solid forged bolsters for durability and blades cast in one piece, with FSC® Certified wooden handles These have become a staple in ever y pro’s toolbox, but when it comes to precision the Perfection Precision Scraper is the ultimate tool for removing coatings from detailed, tight and profiles surfaces such as window frames, banisters and rails The Tungsten Carbide blades stay sharper and more productive up to 100 times longer than conventional blades and are easily replaceable To add to the convenience, it even comes with a belt clip holster!

Smooth sleeves

@monarchpaintinguk

www.monarchpainting.co.uk

The new ‘Italian made’ shed resistant (lint free) Monarch Microfibre 9” Roller Cover is now available for purchase in the UK Made from premium grade High Density microfibre which maintains its shape throughout use, it will provide you with an optimum paint load pick up and release experience ever y time Highly absorbent, holding up to four times more paint than a standard polyester roller cover for greater coverage, this is the perfect accompaniment for any Trade professional decorator, and is super easy to clean ready for re use. Available in single or triple packs.

Better, faster, filler. @toupretuk www.toupret.co.uk

Toupret recognises that excellent results really matter, but so does the time it takes to get the job done The new specially formulated range is made up of powder and ready mixed products, ideal for tradespeople who work to tight deadlines Products in this range ensure great results first time, ever y time The impressive Joint, Skim & Fill Quick Dr y powder is quick and easy to mix and easy to apply It provides a smooth finish with fine skimming in just one coat and is ver y easy to sand for a perfect finish, with no depth limit and it doesn’t shrink, you can be ready to paint in just 3 hours Toupret’s Joint & Skim Ready To Use, is ready mixed and can be applied straight from the bucket manually or with an airless spray machine The range is supported by patch and repair products, with excellent adhesion, perfect for last minute snagging jobs such as Patch & Repair Filler Ready To Use, a 1 5kg tub perfect for smaller snagging jobs It’s ready mixed for use on gaps, cracks, scratches and holes The key features of this product are that it won’t flash or grin and provides excellent adhesion.

Valspar expands to the outdoors and more

The Valspar name has a long heritage, having been established in the USA for over 200 years Valspar was introduced to the UK exclusively at B&Q in 2013, with Valspar Trade following suit in 2015, extending the brand’s distribution with B&Q into TradePoint centres

The new and improved range now includes a vinyl matt, plus range of exterior products alongside some reformulations of existing products, all of which have undergone rigorous ISO testing to prove they perform on the key areas important to the trade This includes, application and splatter, coverage, scrubbability, stain resistance and overall appearance

The new exterior paint range consists of Masonr y Smooth paint, Masonr y Stabiliser and Exterior Direct to Wood and Metal paint

Valspar Trade’s innovative SeasonFlex™ technology means that Masonr y Smooth can be applied in temperatures as low as 2ºC, helping to extend the painting season into the colder months It’s showerproof after just 30 minutes and is also weather and dirt resistant Sprayable straight from the can, it’s ideal for larger projects

Valspar Trade’s Direct to Wood & Metal paint in gloss, eggshell and satin can be applied directly to rust with no primer, and the water based formulation mean it’s quick dr ying and showerproof in just 30 minutes

All of the paint products in the exterior range are available ready mixed or tintable using Valspar Trade’s superior colour offering that can colour match to 2 2 million colours, meaning your customers will never be disappointed when it comes to finding their perfect match

The walls and ceilings range offers Tough Matt and Tough Silk for superior durability, stain resistance and covering power They’re now joined by a Vinyl Matt that provides high opacity, covering up to 16m2/l, with low odour and VOCs, in Pure Brilliant White

New quick dr ying wood and metal primers have also been added to the range, providing strong adhesion, ideal for achieving that perfect finish.

To complement the product developments, the full range has also undergone a packaging re vamp, with a vibrant new look designed for easy product identification in store

Valspar Trade has re launched, with an extended range of products and new formulations that have been benchmarked against the industr y’s best Here, we take a look at some of the highlights

KLEENEDGE® LOW TACK™ flat paper tape leaves clean lines for use on delicate surfaces can be left on for 14 days

KLEENEDGE® PERFECT EDGE™ flat paper tape leaves clean lines for use on a variety of surfaces can be left on for 14 days

Suck it up

The new CTC MINI/MIDI cordless compact dust extractors

Festool is expanding its 18 volt range with two cordless compact dust extractors: The CTC MINI and CTC MIDI Whether for mobile sawing, sanding or drilling, the compact on site extractors fit perfectly into the Festool 18 volt system to help create a mobile, dust free and healthy working environment

The CTC dust extractors are perfectly coordinated to Festool cordless tools, with innovative Bluetooth® autostart or the practical remote control ensuring perfect interaction between the cordless tool and the extractor

Both extractors excel thanks to the 36 volt turbine that utilises two 18 volt batter y packs, meaning they rival the corded versions Suction can be adjusted to three levels according to the application, which can then increase batter y run time

Festool has equipped the extractors with manual dedusting, so the suction power can be quickly and easily recovered when the filter or filter bag is clogged This significantly increases the maximum achievable fill level.

Both extractors are fitted with an ultra robust suction hose and offers extremely flexible handling, whilst also gliding gently over ever y edge Its conical geometr y ensures improved suction power

Trip proof and independent

The compact design, low weight and cordless power mean the compact dust extractors are great partners for ever y day use The large internal hose holder makes it ver y easy to stow the suction hose, ensuring safe and clean transport

Combined with four batter y packs and the new TCL 6 DUO rapid charger, work can be completed in most cordless applications without interruptions. In the new energy sets, ever ything is conveniently packed and charged in a flash: Batter y packs and rapid charger in the Systainer³

As usual with Festool, ever ything is compatible: Extractor, smooth suction hose, cordless tool and T LOC Systainer connection, all fully covered by Festool SERVICE