PJH drives home road safety message for young pupils

Bathroom, Appliance, Sink & Tap distributor, PJH has helped young children learn how to stay safe on the road and around large commercial vehicles through a special Road Safety Campaign delivered at St Mary’s Church of England Primary School in Moston, Greater Manchester.

The educational visit involved approximately 120 children from Nursery to Year 2, aged between three and seven.

Delivered by members of PJH’s Transport, as well as Learning & Development (L&D) Teams, the sessions were specially designed to help the young children understand about large articulated lorries, vehicle awareness and the potential dangers of crossing or walking near roads.

The main learning topics included vehicle awareness, the time and distance an HGV may need to stop, and the extensive blind spots around a vehicle where pedestrians and cyclists may not be visible to the driver. The children were also introduced to wider road safety messages, including how to choose a safe place to cross and the importance of remaining visible and alert when travelling near large vehicles.

PJH supplied all the pupils with some specially designed learning materials and fun activity packs, developed by PJH’s L&D Team, Dawn Kennedy and Lauren Fergus, drawing on road safety guidance produced by Transport for London. Jemma Warburton, Transport Compliance Manager at PJH, also helped deliver the sessions on the day.

The goodie bag packs included a Road Safety Certificate, a mock ‘PJH Pete Training School’ provisional license, a hi-vis vest for travelling to school, pencils and a drinks flask. 

Shaun Berry, National Transport Manager at PJH, said: “It was an absolute delight to get involved with our local community in Manchester, and the pupils were really enthusaistic in learning more about road safety and discovering interesting facts about large articulated lorries – especially when sitting in the trucks themselves!

“The aim of the visit was to explain potential road dangers in a practical, engaging and memorable way, while giving the children some clear messages that they can use whenever they are walking or cycling near traffic.

“The pupils were brilliant throughout the sessions, and we were thrilled to support St Mary’s and help build road safety awareness from such an early age. I would also like to thank Dawn, Lauren and Jemma for the work they put into developing the materials and delivering such a successful visit.”

The initiative received an enthusiastic response from pupils and staff at St Mary’s, with children returning to their classrooms eager to share what they had learned. 

Deputy Headteacher, Roy Edwards said: “I would like to thank PJH for the wonderful support that you have shown the school, including the connection that you were having with our children and the incredible experience that you gave them. I heard some amazing stories from the children upon their return.

“The gesture, time, resource and experience (not to mention the financial cost) that you have given, has a bigger impact than you can ever imagine and will undoubtedly be a memory that sticks in the mind of many of them as they progress through their education. 

“Your communication and care will have inspired a few to follow in your footsteps and seek more information about something they possibly didn’t even know they would enjoy. The visit reflects PJH’s commitment to supporting communities around its operations and to sharing the knowledge and expertise of its colleagues in ways that can make a positive and lasting difference.”

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Bathroom Association renews support for construction charity CRASH

The Bathroom Association has named CRASH as its charity partner for the 2026 Connect Conference, renewing a relationship first established at the Association’s annual conference in 2023.

Funds will be raised through the charity raffle at the conference gala dinner, held at the Grand Hotel, Birmingham, on Thursday 8 October.

CRASH has been the UK construction industry’s charity since 1996. For three decades, CRASH has supported homelessness charities and hospices to undertake vital building projects by drawing on the professional expertise, construction products and financial support provided by companies and individuals across the industry.

Its work transforms hostels, day centres, night shelters and move-on accommodation for people experiencing homelessness. CRASH also helps create welcoming, practical environments where children and adults receiving hospice care can spend precious time with their families.

The charity’s collaborative model closely reflects the theme of this year’s Connect Conference, ‘Stronger Together’, which will examine how greater cooperation across the bathroom sector can support innovation, raise standards and build a stronger, more resilient marketplace.

Amy Kirk, Marketing and Events Director at the Bathroom Association, said: “We supported CRASH at our conference in 2023 and saw how strongly its work resonated with our members. Returning to the charity this year felt particularly appropriate.

“CRASH demonstrates what can be achieved when an industry brings together its knowledge, products, contacts and financial support behind a shared purpose. That principle sits at the heart of our ‘Stronger Together’ theme.

“Our gala dinner is always an opportunity for the bathroom community to come together, and we hope delegates will support the raffle generously and help CRASH continue creating places that make a lasting difference to people’s lives.”

Trisha Pickersgill, Chief Executive at CRASH, said: “We are incredibly grateful to the Bathroom Association for choosing to support CRASH through its 2026 Connect Conference. It is particularly fitting that the Thirty Under Thirty Awards are supporting CRASH in our 30th anniversary year, as we celebrate three decades of constructing places that care for people and transforming lives through the power of the construction industry.”

“The generosity of companies and individuals across the construction and bathroom industries enables us to help homelessness charities and hospices navigate complex and costly building projects. Their support brings together vital funding, specialist knowledge and construction products to create safe, caring environments for people when they need them most.

“We look forward to working with the Association and its members and showing what our industries can achieve when we work together.”

The Bathroom Association Connect Conference will bring together businesses and professionals from across the bathroom supply chain for a day of market insight, discussion and networking.

The daytime programme includes keynote speaker Jez Rose; Rebecca Larkin, Head of Construction Research at the Construction Products Association; Dr Vanessa Brady OBE, founder and CEO of the Society of British and International Interior Design; entrepreneur and manufacturer Rob Law MBE; and a panel discussion examining skills shortages and competence across bathroom installation and plumbing.

The conference will be followed by a black-tie gala dinner, hosted by comedian Alun Cochrane. Alongside the CRASH charity raffle, the evening will include the presentation of the Bathroom Association’s 2026 Thirty-under-Thirty Awards.

To learn more about CRASH and its work, visit crash.org.uk.

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hib joins Commercial Interiors UK to build brand partnerships across the sector

Bathroom specialist hib has joined Commercial Interiors UK, the trade association for the UK’s commercial interiors sector, as part of its commitment to building meaningful industry partnerships and strengthening the brand’s presence in commercial markets.

Commercial Interiors UK represents more than 200 accredited manufacturers and suppliers across furniture, lighting, fabrics, flooring, bathroom fittings and other interior products, supporting members working across sectors including hospitality, workplace, cruise, education and healthcare.

Through its membership, hib will gain a platform to collaborate with fellow members, share expertise and develop stronger relationships across the commercial interiors community. Access to sector insight, market intelligence and best-practice guidance will also help the brand respond to emerging trends and communicate more effectively with those shaping commercial projects.

The partnership reflects hib’s ambition to become a more visible and engaged brand within the commercial interiors market, where bathrooms and washrooms play an increasingly important role in creating high-quality, functional and memorable environments.

Deborah Freeman, Head of Brand and Marketing at hib, said: “For us, joining Commercial Interiors UK is about more than growing our presence in the sector; it is about building genuine partnerships and ensuring the hib brand becomes a valued part of the commercial interiors community.

“The membership gives us an important opportunity to listen to and learn from designers, architects, specifiers, manufacturers and suppliers, while sharing our own perspective as a design-led bathroom brand. By developing closer relationships across the sector, we can make sure our products, communications and partnerships add real value to commercial projects. We’re excited to contribute to the network and grow alongside its members.”

The partnership will help hib build closer relationships with interior designers, architects, specifiers and complementary brands shaping commercial spaces across the UK. It will also create opportunities for collaboration, knowledge-sharing and greater awareness of hib’s design-led bathroom solutions among key decision-makers.

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Scudo launches Edition 22, inspiring retailers to Create Something Extraordinary

Scudo Bathrooms, by leading distributor Harrison Bathrooms, has unveiled its newest Edition 22 brochure which features an extensive selection of new products. Designed to inspire retailers, Edition 22 includes an expansion of many best-selling ranges with a focus on consumer-led product development that represents the next evolution of Scudo, with a collection shaped around greater choice, considered design, and the freedom to create more individual spaces.  

The new brochure introduces an expanded mix of furniture, showering, baths, brassware, and accessories, with colour and texture playing an increasingly important role across the collection. New introductions include rich walnut furniture, coloured freestanding baths, new vanity ranges, and much-requested matt white slate-effect shower trays. Edition 22 has been thoughtfully compiled, with an emphasis on one-stop, complete bathroom design, offering greater freedom to combine colour, texture and finish to create bathrooms with depth and individuality.  

The new brochure opens with a retailer-friendly, inspiring design trends section. Edition 22 supports both retailers and consumers with styling guidance, mood-boards, and inspirational imagery. All part of the brands’ commitment to delivering affordable, stylish and luxurious bathrooms which combine modern innovation with quality and functionality.

At the heart of Edition 22 is Colour by Scudo, bringing complementary finishes across the bathroom under the principle One Colour. One Bathroom. One Brand. From brushed brass and brushed nickel to matt black, brushed bronze, gunmetal and bright chrome, the collection makes it easier to carry a consistent finish throughout the entire bathroom.

Hayley Bowman, Marketing Director, says: “Edition 22 is about giving people more opportunity to create a bathroom that feels individual. We’ve listened to our customers, looked closely at sales data and developed some of our best-selling ranges through new colours, finishes, materials and coordinated product design, while retaining everything retailers already know and love about Scudo.

The new brochure captures where we want to take the brand. It’s an invitation to be more creative with the bathroom and shows how the right combination of products, colours and finishes can transform an everyday space into something much more inspiring.”

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Blum taps into rise of the ‘invisible kitchen’ as search data reveals growing demand for concealed, multifunctional living

Blum is tapping into the rise of the ‘invisible kitchen’, one of 2026’s defining design trends, as consumer search data points to growing demand for concealed, flexible kitchen solutions.

Google classifies the term as a breakout query in the UK, indicating a surge in search activity of more than 5,000% compared to the preceding year, while searches for ‘pocket door’ have also risen by 60% over the past five years.

Samantha Thompson, Architect & Design Marketing Manager for Blum UK, believes the data reflects a wider change in consumer expectations around kitchen design. “Recent findings point to a clear shift in how homeowners want their kitchens to work and reinforce a growing appetite for discreet, flexible solutions,” she said. “Rather than placing the kitchen on display at all times, people are increasingly looking for spaces that can be hidden and adapted to suit the changing demands of modern living.”

The trend sits within a wider shift towards flexible kitchen layouts and concealed storage. Houzz’s 2026 UK Emerging Trends Report found searches for ‘moveable kitchen islands’ increased nine-fold, whilst searches for ‘appliance garages’ increased by 453%, and interest in ‘walk-in pantries’ rose by 63%, underlining strong demand for design features that help spaces work harder and feel less visually cluttered.

“The ability to hide the practical side of cooking behind seamless cabinetry, concealed storage and retractable solutions, while still keeping everything close to hand, is hugely appealing when planning today’s interiors,” explains Samantha. “Hidden kitchen solutions are a practical response to the demand for interiors that can change character throughout the day.”

Blum launched its REVEGO pocket system in the UK in 2024, allowing entire kitchen zones to be opened up when needed and concealed again when not in use. An enabler of the ‘invisible kitchen’ approach, the system uses a light-touch opening action before the fronts slide fully into a side pocket, allowing the kitchen to disappear without compromising on access or appearance.

As urban living spaces become smaller and homes are asked to do more, Blum is placing emphasis on speaking to its partners about how REVEGO can open up new possibilities beyond the kitchen itself. From coffee stations and home offices, to bars, storage walls and walk-in access areas, the system is helping designers create rooms that can change mood and function in seconds.

“The rise in compact, multifunctional homes means designers need solutions that make better use of every square metre,” Samantha added. “We’re seeing more creative applications for REVEGO as it gives them a way to create spaces that feel flexible and interesting while still working hard in everyday life for the customer.”

For designers and kitchen planners, REVEGO also simplifies specification, with standardised pocket widths, ready-to-install components and flexible single or double door applications making it easier to integrate into different layouts and room sizes.  

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Hoover Backs Championship-Leading British Driver Thomas Holland as British GT Season Enters Final Stages

Hoover is backing emerging British motorsport talent Thomas Holland as the British GT Championship enters its final stages, with the young driver currently in second place with 104.5 points in the championship standings and targeting the overall title.

The partnership has seen Hoover support Holland throughout the season, with the brand’s distinctive logo featuring on his race car as he competes across two remaining rounds at Donington Park and Brands Hatch. Hoover chose to get behind Holland at an early stage of his career, supporting a driver it believes has the ambition and potential to reach the top of his field.

The collaboration represents a natural fit between two performance-led worlds, with both Hoover and motorsport sharing a focus on precision, engineering, continuous improvement and high performance. It has also enabled Hoover to become part of the fast-paced world of GT racing where the brand has an opportunity to engage with a passionate fanbase.

Jim McEwan, Managing Director UK & Ireland at Haier UK said: “We saw an opportunity to get behind a British talent at an exciting stage of his journey. This partnership has given us an exciting way to bring those values to life while connecting with the exciting world of GT racing and its passionate motorsport audience. There are clear parallels between motorsport and what we do at Hoover. Precision engineering, reliability and performance are essential to success, making this a natural platform to bring those values to life.”

For Holland, the immediate focus is on maintaining his momentum and converting his strong start to the season into championship success. Currently in second place, the driver is targeting consistent performances across the remaining races as he bids to regain the top position and finish the season at the top.

Thomas Holland said: “My focus for the rest of the season is to keep building on the progress we’ve made so far, deliver consistently and give ourselves the best possible chance of finishing the championship at the top. Every race is another opportunity to learn and improve, so I’m really looking forward to the final three rounds.”

Hoover’s British GT car suffered an engine failure at Snetterton, forcing the duo to retire from Race Two. However, the racing duo still sit second in the championship after winning Race One with the team completing a full engine turnaround in an impressive 36 hours.

The remaining championship calendar will see Holland compete at Donington Park on 5–6 September and Brands Hatch on 26–27 September, with these venues providing the backdrop for the final stages of his championship campaign.

As well as supporting Holland on track, Hoover has brought the partnership to life through a programme of activity designed to give customers, partners, employees and motorsport fans greater access to the team and driver.

Throughout the season, the partnership has featured exclusive behind-the-scenes content, race weekend updates, social media activity and opportunities for fans to engage with Holland both at the circuit and online. Hoover has also used the partnership to strengthen relationships with key business partners and keep employees updated on Holland’s progress throughout the championship.

The partnership forms part of Hoover’s wider commitment to sport and provided a new platform for the brand to showcase the engineering, innovation and performance that underpin its products, while supporting an exciting new generation of British sporting talent.

With two rounds remaining and Holland currently sitting in second place in the standings, the focus now turns to whether the emerging driver can maintain his momentum and secure the British GT Championship title.

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InstallerFutures announced as official partner of fitted interiors skills hub

The British Institute of Fitted Interiors Specialists (BIFIS) has announced InstallerFUTURES as the official sponsor of its new Fitted Interiors Skills Hub, a major initiative designed to create a central destination for training, skills and professional development across the fitted interiors sector.

InstallerFUTURES, an InstallerSHOW initiative, is a year-round platform designed to connect the next generation of installers with the people, brands and opportunities shaping the future of the sector. From careers fairs and college engagement to partner stories, FUTURES gives young people a clearer view of the industry and gives partners a meaningful way to support future talent.

The Fitted Interiors Skills Hub covers a broad range of topics relevant to the fitted interiors industry, including business development, product knowledge, health and safety, legislation, compliance, installation processes and professional development. Content will continue to evolve, providing registered businesses and wider industry stakeholders with a valuable, continually developing resource.

Hosted exclusively on the BIFIS app, the Fitted Interiors Skills Hub brings together a growing library of resources designed to help installers and fitted interiors professionals develop their knowledge, skills and businesses. The initiative reflects BIFIS’s continued commitment to addressing the skills challenges facing the sector and creating accessible opportunities for individuals and businesses to develop their capabilities throughout their careers.

As official partner, InstallerFUTURES will play a key role in supporting the development and growth of the FI Skills Hub, strengthening its commitment to skills, professionalism and the long-term sustainability of the installation workforce.

Damian Walters, CEO of BIFIS, said “Skills are fundamental to the future of our sector. We have long recognised that the fitted interiors industry needs greater access to relevant, practical and accessible training and development opportunities, and the Fitted Interiors Skills Hub is an important step forward. By bringing resources together in one central location through the BIFIS app, we can make it easier for professionals to access the knowledge they need to develop themselves, their teams and their businesses.”

He continued “We are delighted to welcome FUTURES as the official partner of the Fitted Interiors Skills Hub. Nineteen Group and InstallerSHOW have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to supporting the fitted interiors installation community, and their involvement will help us build something that delivers genuine, long-term value for the sector.”

InstallerSHOW’s David Ventris-Field commented “As an integral part of InstallerSHOW, FUTURES is committed to making a positive contribution towards ensuring a sustainable workforce within the installation community. This partnership with the FI Skills Hub reinforces our shared goals of supporting new entrants to the industry and safeguarding the high standards of professionalism within the trades.”

The Fitted Interiors Skills Hub is part of BIFIS’s wider programme of work to raise standards, improve competency and support the development of a sustainable, professional and skilled fitted interiors workforce.

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