The Celtic Collection has opened The Parkgate Hotel in Cardiff following a two-year redevelopment.
In collaboration with property developer Rightacres and the Welsh Rugby Union, The Celtic Collection has transformed the city’s former Head Post Office and County Court buildings into a new 170-key hotel.
Dating back to the turn of the 20th Century, the buildings’ striking period features have been brought out in a careful restoration and their storied history has been honoured through the hotel’s branding: the Sorting Room is its signature restaurant, while the Postmaster Suite and Telegraph Room are its event spaces.
The F&B offering includes a signature restaurant with a theatre kitchen and all-day dining menu and a more intimate lounge space for light bites and cocktails. Elsewhere, the rooftop spa provides views across the city skyline.
Situated a stone’s throw away from the iconic Principality Stadium, the hotel offers hospitality packages in partnership with the Welsh Rugby Union, opening just in time for the Autumn Nations Series. As part of these packages, guests can enjoy match day tickets, pre- and post-match hospitality in the hotel’s grand function suite and an overnight stay.
Hotel Manager, Brady Smith, comments: “The beautiful restoration of these iconic heritage buildings has exceeded all our expectations and the last piece in the jigsaw is the guests – we can’t wait to start delivering exceptional experiences in this stunning setting.”
Saniflo UK has provided a drainage solution for Galley Hill Park. The company is well known for providing solutions to unusual and remote places guaranteeing business continuity for some of the country’s prominent staycation attractions locations.
Galley Hill Farm situated on the edge of the rolling Lincolnshire Wolds, an ‘Area of Natural Beauty’, is a farm with a successful ‘Pick Your Own’ business and a caravan site with 10 pitches in a stunning woodland grove adjacent to the family farmhouse.
The busy caravan site encompasses a block with shower and WCs and has recently expanded from 5 to 10 pitches plus two sizeable glamping pods complete with bathroom, bedroom, kitchen and living room..
Waste from the house and the toilet block is discharged to a septic tank that was recently upgraded due to new regulations that came into effect in 2020. A separate chemical disposal point was also installed for the caravan site.
The proposed space on site for the glamping pods did not have sufficient gravity fall to reach the septic tank, which was 70m away, and thus required a pump to discharge the waste. A Sanifos 610 underground lifting station provided the perfect solution; with sufficient capacity to accommodate more units in future.
A clearing behind the farmhouse was prepared which included concrete bases for the pods, a large pit for siting the Sanifos and trench for the main connection pipe. A small shed was erected to house the electrics and alarm for the Sanifos. The pods were dropped into place and the waste connections installed from the borehole water supply, which has its own water filtration system.
The Sanifos 610 has a 612-litre tank and is offered with a choice of one or two pumps. Galley Hill Farm specified the twin pump model to ensure continuity of service. The pumps work alternately to ensure even wear of the motors, but in the event of one pump failing, the other will activate to ensure it keeps working. It is supplied with a smart control box which is an interactive, intelligent station monitoring system and integrates an alarm for early warning of any problems.
Roman has announced it has secured an exhibition stand at the launch of the newest interiors and design-led event HIX next month.
The HIX event takes place from 18th to 19th November at London’s Business Design Centre and you will find Roman on Stand 39.
HIX will showcase the most exciting established and emerging design-led brands in a boutique exhibition alongside a conference which will explore the story of social change over the past 18 months, setting the scene for hotel industry professionals to share ideas that are focused on transforming the guest experience.
Roman will be displaying bespoke showering solutions alongside Corian fabrication and solid surface moulding capability – and also huge flexibility in design – highlighted by a choice of glass thickness and 16 colours of frame finish including Silver Chrome, Matt Black, Brushed Nickel, Polished Nickel, Brushed Brass, and Matt White.
David Osborne, CEO of Roman, commented: “It is wonderful to be back at exhibitions – and especially HIX. It should be a great Show and all of the team are excited about the conversations and vibe within the Hotel sector already.”
With increased demand for solutions that provide both aesthetics and functionality, REHAU has unveiled its contemporary RAUVOLET tambour door range, designed to maximise space.
The roller shutter design is suitable for applications across the entire home – from kitchens and bathrooms, through to hallways and living space.
While folding and hinged doors can get in the way, tambour doors feature a roller shutter design to maximise room functionality. With the option to use horizontally or vertically, RAUVOLET systems are adaptable to different space parameters, too.
Keeping in line with modern aesthetics, RAUVOLET panels come in a range of sleek materials, including finishes from REHAU’s popular Noble Matt range, through to metallic-line aluminium and brushed stainless steel – meaning it can be seamlessly integrated with materials used across a wider design. For a more bespoke touch, there is also the option to apply personalised printing.
Designers can determine the profile, tracking system, and mechanism of the tambour door to achieve a bespoke fit. Despite detailed configuration, it’s possible to benefit from simple installation through a ‘plug & play’ system.
Scott Williams, National Sales Manager for REHAU Furniture Solutions, comments: “Whether it’s for kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms or surrounding space across the home, our tambour door systems are an ideal solution and can be tailored to suit any requirements.
“Today, furniture solutions need to be sophisticated, versatile and sometimes compact, in order to meet end-user expectations. On top of this, the growing trend towards urban living is seeing an increasing number of people sharing the same space, meaning interiors are becoming increasingly multifunctional.
“Flexible furniture is therefore becoming increasingly popular, especially when factoring in demands evolving from the pandemic, as many continue to spend more time inside while working from home.
“Here at REHAU, we look to offer contemporary solutions, and installing tambour door systems means indoor areas can be multifunctional even in the most demanding of spaces.”
Virtual Worlds has taken its training on the road, with Ireland the first stop on its tour of the UK.
The new series of events aim to arm retailers with the training needed to create stunning 3D and 4D bathroom and kitchen designs by realizing the full potential of the Virtual Worlds technology.
Successful training days have already been held in Dublin and Belfast, with a further autumn date to come in Durham on 3rd November.
The event also includes a demonstration of the latest developments within virtual Worlds and a chance to network.
“Training is such an important aspect of a designer’s job, with technology and software developing so quickly, that we decided to take it on the road with a series of roadshows,” explains Virtual Worlds Managing Director, Nathan Maclean. “The training aims to help retailers really get the most out of Virtual Worlds, saving them time and teaching them some insider tips and tricks to produce amazing designs that their clients will love.”
To be part of the next training event at Durham Marriott Hotel on Wednesday 3 November, book your place by emailing sales@virtualworlds.co.uk
Sarah Stepney has been appointed to handle the trade marketing for UK manufacturer Kudos Shower Products. Based at their recently opened warehouse and training facility in Sandbach, she’ll be reporting to sales & marketing director, Nick Graville.
Sarah started working for Kudos in September after six years as a marketing manager at Ryman, a stationer with 200 stores nationwide, bringing lots of experience in retail supply to the team. She joins Kudos at a busy time with many new products currently being designed, developed and manufactured ready to launch in 2022.
“It’s a great time for Sarah to join our team. Following recent investment in new facilities and products she will be busy launching lots of new innovations with marketing support over the next 12 months.” Said Nick Graville.
Kudos was established as a UK manufacturer of shower products in 1999. Their product portfolio includes shower enclosures, shower trays, over-bath screens and wet-room solutions sold via bathroom showrooms and merchants across the UK.
The BiKBBI has announced it is launching The KBB Fitted Interiors Apprenticeship programme. The programme is billed to provide hundreds of youngsters with career opportunities within the KBB installation sector, tackling immediate worker shortages and longer-term skills gap challenges.
With demand for installation higher than ever, the new BiKBBI support package offers installation businesses a fast track to the workers they need for their businesses to continue to deliver and grow.
Damian Walters, Chief Executive of BiKBBI, said: “This is a real game changer for our industry and it’s going to make a real difference for hundreds of installation businesses. In the last couple of years we’ve had over 700 of our members get in touch to express an interest in taking on an apprentice, but until now many have found it difficult to deal with the cost and bureaucracy of doing so.
That’s why we’ve worked so hard to put this package of support together. It means that for the first time, installers of all sizes can afford to take on an apprentice and grow their businesses, without the complication sometimes associated with apprenticeships.”
The apprenticeship support package is backed by a nationwide network of colleges and training providers that BIKBBI has audited. These training providers have been awarded BiKBBI Centre of Excellence status in recognition of the high standards they deliver.
The launch of the apprenticeship package follows stark evidence of the dire need to bring new recruits into the KBB industry, with a recent BiKBBI survey revealing that a third of sole trader installers plan on retiring from the industry within the next ten years and less than 10% of employers believe there is a good supply of qualified installers.
BIKBBI is now set to begin a nationwide programme of outreach in schools and communities across the UK to promote the apprenticeship and the opportunities that a career in KBB installation offers young people.
Backed by a three-year funding pledge from Quooker, BIKBBI expects this to lead to over 500 new apprentices per year entering our industry.
BIKBBI is also in discussions with a number of charities and community groups to develop recruitment campaigns within underrepresented communities, helping to ensure that the people from all backgrounds take up the opportunities of a KBB installation apprenticeship.
Damian Walters added: “All of the pieces are in place to provide youngsters a route into our industry, our job now is to help them recognise the opportunity that’s on offer. We’re going to spread the word of how a career in KBB installation offers young people from all backgrounds a way to quickly make a very good living in a trade that’s constantly in demand.”
Victoria Plum has launched a new and exclusive design and installation service which is believed to be the first of its kind offered by a UK online bathroom retailer.
The service has been introduced to provide a bespoke option for customers who want to create a bathroom that is entirely tailored to their needs.
The design and installation service sees customers undergo a free online design consultation following which Victoria Plum’s inhouse experts create a unique bathroom solution that fits their space.
If the customer chooses to go ahead with the service, a Victoria Plum project coordinator is appointed. They then manage the installation of the bathroom working in partnership with a network of approved installers and plumbers.
Commenting on the launch of the service, Victoria Plum business development director, Jim Barnard, said: “We are hugely excited to have launched our new design and installation service, which we believe to be the first of its kind by a UK online bathroom retailer.
“We have invested heavily in setting up the people, processes and technologies needed to make this a success and it is already proving extremely popular as we begin rolling it out across the UK.
“The service differentiates us within the markets we serve, enabling us to provide an added value service proposition alongside our excellent product range.
“It forms a key part of our ambitious growth plans and fits perfectly with our mission to become the most differentiated, most trusted and most respected bathroom provider.”
The company is currently in the process of expanding its network of approved installers and plumbers to help deliver the service. Victoria Plum is already able to provide UK wide coverage for its design and installation service but is anticipating a significant increase in sales volumes over the coming months.
Victoria Plum was founded 20 years ago and was acquired by Leeds-based private equity fund Endless in October 2019.
The company’s sales rose by a record 46 per cent to £103m for the year ended 28 February 2021. In addition, the Doncaster, South Yorkshire, headquartered business saw its EBITDA increase by 115 per cent to £4.5m. Over the same period, the company grew its headcount from 349 to 398.
Compared to the previous financial year, Victoria Plum’s website users increased by 165 per cent to 23.2 million whilst its sessions rose 194 per cent to more than 51 million. To find out more about Victoria Plum visit www.victoriaplum.com
Integrating smart features into our homes is becoming part of the new normal as more of us work from home.The smart homes market was valued at around $80 billion in 2020, and it is expected to exceed $300 billion by 2026.
With UK householders dramatically increasing the number of smart devices they own, it makes sense for us to integrate smart living into the bathroom. For housebuilders, incorporating connected technology at build level might be a smart move in more ways than one, as demonstrated this year by Plant Prefab. The US prefab construction company announced its highest profit ever in 2020.
Mike Simpson, product & marketing director at Aqualisa agrees “There are currently 15 million households that own a smart home device, with predictions suggesting growth to 24 million by 2025. Smart technology is making homes more efficient and cheaper to run: reducing energy consumption, saving money, decreasing environmental impact and delivering a more personalised experience. “
All systems go
Scavolini Dandy Bathroom Furniture with built-in Alexa
Alexa is now a familiar feature in our kitchen and living areas, however, Scavolini has gone one step further and updated its popular Dandy bathroom furniture range with a smart built-in Amazon Alexa. Not only can you now talk to your home, but your virtual assistant is seamlessly integrated into its design via the Task Bar, an aluminium profile that incorporates smart technology.
Appropiate behaviour
According to UWLA, bathroom products are at the heart of water consumption in the home, with over 60% of water being used in the bathroom (20% accounted for by showers), and 25% of energy used heating hot water.
Helping to conserve water use in the bathroom, Aqualisa’s next-generation Quartz Touch™ smart shower includes an intuitive, easy-to-use mobile app. Families can use the Aqualisa app to control shower duration and monitor individual usage, therefore limiting water consumption and costs. Furthermore, a proximity sensor reduces water flow if the user steps away from the shower.
“With more than 2 billion litres of water used each day in the UK and an expected increase in demand of 30% over the next 20 years, sustainability has become a key priority in the bathroom industry. Combined with the rapid adoption of technology, this is resulting in the emergence of smart home devices that can both enhance consumers’ wellbeing and contribute to a more eco-friendly lifestyle.” continues Mike Simpson, product & marketing director, Aqualisa.
Aqualisa
Keep it clean
Smart technology is dovetailing with a new focus on hygiene as manufacturers integrate touch-free features for frequently used bathroom areas such as guest bathrooms. Sensor-activated products that you don’t have to touch with your hands help us feel more comfortable and enhance hygiene levels.
TOTO is one such company and is offering more touch-free functionalities for its shower toilets (WASHLET™), taps, soap dispenser and automatic hand dryers.
Mirror image
The bathroom is no longer simply a functional space, but a place to rejuvenate and refresh. Light and sound are key design elements when it comes to creating a safe haven, however smart technology also ensures that all-important connectivity. The latest technology means every aspect can be smartly integrated so there is no need to compromise on any single element.
Ash Chilver, HiB Sales Director agrees “As bathrooms become more of a multipurpose space, somewhere that we go to relax and unwind as well as for our hygiene needs, having access to technology is becoming more important. By using and interacting with products featuring technology such as integrated speakers, Bluetooth and charging ports, we can stay connected and enhance our experience and overall enjoyment of the bathroom.”
Teeming with useful technology, the Dimension LED Bluetooth Speaker cabinet (pictured top and below) offers a number of features that enhance the user experience in the bathroom. The cabinet’s dual aspect LED illumination is operated via a handy touch sensor that highlights the design on the mirrored sides and doors. Hidden discreetly within the mirror surface is a heated pad that helps to reduce condensation, and inside the cabinet, the two handy USB ports and a 2 pin socket allows users to charge their devices, toothbrushes and shavers.
No sooner than he joins the business than Saniflo’s new Kinedo Business Development Manager, Warren Knowles, is persuaded to participate in the PHG Revolution 150 Charity Bike Ride. No easy feat, the two-day, 150-mile course runs from Harrogate to Darlington through the Yorkshire Dales and back again through the North Yorkshire Moors.
Supporting two environmental charities, Surfers Against Sewage and Woodland Trust, the ride raises money and also awareness of how every single person can help the war on plastic pollution and the carbon crisis both at home and at work. Like many charities, both suffered losses during the pandemic and this event was designed to help them recover.
So, on Friday 1st October, Warren donned his best bike shoes and Saniflo-sponsored shirt to tackle the course;
“To say it was a bit of a killer ride over the two days is an understatement. We had atrocious weather conditions for the duration of challenge. We covered 80 miles with 4,600m of climbs on day one and a further 75 miles on day 2 with a mere 3,000m of climbs.”
Happily, Warren finished the challenge with a big smile on his face.
“Not only was Saniflo the shirt sponsor, but also donated to the worthy cause, so there was no way I was going to get away without finishing! I actually really enjoyed the challenge and was delighted to help put these crucial charities back on the map.”
There is still time to donate. With gift aid, the total stands at just £500 shy of an incredible £50k.
