Author: Cat Tomalin

Door4, a specialist in home and garden performance marketing, has conducted an in-depth analysis of current search trends in the gardening sector. This study highlights the categories and products gaining traction among UK consumers while also identifying those seeing a decline in interest. “While search volumes have naturally decreased from the extraordinary peaks seen during the UK’s lockdowns, many categories have stabilised at levels notably higher than pre-pandemic figures” says Sean Dwyer, Door4’s Managing Director. “This represents a sustained shift in consumer interest rather than a simple decline, with particularly encouraging patterns for equipment suppliers.” Core garden equipment, such as lawnmowers, hedge trimmers…

This Valentine’s Day, many will be scouring shops for chocolates and flowers, but what if the most meaningful gift is something much simpler? In an era dominated by texting and social media, picking up the landline could be the ultimate act of love and nostalgia – and Brits agree. A new survey by Zen Internet, a leading telecommunications and network connectivity provider, has revealed that over 2 in 5 Brits (41%) feel that calling someone’s home phone feels more personal than reaching them on a mobile. In fact, nearly 4 in 10 (39%) say that a home phone-to-home phone chat is…

Family-run businesses PJ Livesey and Arighi Bianchi have formed the perfect partnership to add even more sparkle to a £1million property at the King’s Gate development in Macclesfield, to give visitors and would-be residents a real taste of the good life. Specialist heritage developer, PJ Livesey has more than 40 years’ experience of successfully restoring heritage properties like the former King’s School in Macclesfield, to create bespoke, luxury conversions, alongside innovative, low carbon newly built homes. Established in 1854 and located in the centre of Macclesfield, Arighi Bianchi is widely regarded as the North West’s premier interiors shopping destination, celebrated…

The elderly and vulnerable are among the millions of people being warned that they could face isolation by losing access to their landline. The alert, on the back of new research into the largest overhaul of the UK telephone network in decades, coincides with the 40th anniversary of the official retirement of Britain’s iconic red telephone boxes by BT. A survey commissioned by Zen Internet, a leading telecommunications and network connectivity provider, reveals alarming statistics about public awareness and preparedness: Landline usage remains high despite the mobile revolutionThe survey also highlights the enduring importance of landlines in UK households: Image credit: annie-spratt-goholCAVTRs-unsplash Despite these…

“In the realm of interior design, the pursuit of wellbeing continues to be a significant influence on décor choice,” says Lucy Mather from Arighi Bianchi, a viewpoint shared by fellow interior design experts. “At the heart of this movement is the concept of Sense-scaping,” says Mather, “which is the practice of using all five senses to create a desired mood or experience within a particular environment.”  In interiors, Sense-scaping is reshaping how we think about and design our living spaces in 2025. So how can we apply this design principle in our homes – we asked three experts to explain. According to Lucy: The Sensescaping…

Football and floods were the biggest drivers behind internet usage spikes in 2024 according to Zen data, which has also recorded a record year.  Zen Internet, the award-winning internet service provider, has reported its busiest ever period for network traffic during the past year occurred on 4th December 2024, driven by live football streaming. The surge in usage reached a peak 17% higher than 2023’s record and 10% above the average for a typical December evening. This milestone also marked a 4% increase over Zen’s previous recorded high in September. The record-breaking spike coincided with Amazon Prime’s live Premier League…

Connectivity has become as crucial to a successful Christmas Day as turkey and trimmings in many homes, according to Zen Internet, which is sharing its Top Five Tips for internet-dependent homes this festive season. Dean Burdon, Customer Experience Director at Zen Internet, explains more: “As a nation with so many die-hard internet users, UK households are more reliant than ever on fast and reliable broadband to host a happier Christmas, as well as to power their Christmas traditions and activities. As we add more internet-powered gadgets to our homes every year, few stop to consider just how integral broadband has become…

Find bargains across furniture, carpets, lighting, homewares and more The highly anticipated Arighi Bianchi Winter Sale starts on Friday 27th December, with some not to be missed offers. As Arighi Bianchi’s biggest and best sale of the year, don’t leave it too late to get the best deals and reduced prices on furniture, mattresses, carpets, rugs, lighting, blinds and accessories, as some of its extra discounts are only for a limited time this year. Headline offers:Up to 30% off hundreds of products, across every departmentExtra £100 off when you spend £1,200 (limited time only, terms apply.)Extra £100 off selected corner…

Perfume Direct has unveiled the trending scents that Santa will be dropping down the chimney with this Christmas – just in the St. Nick of time for those who still have some shopping left to do and need inspiration! Tom Ford fragrances are topping the charts as the most searched for fragrances in the lead up to Christmas1 – with the allure of the brand’s unisex scents Black Orchid and Oud Wood EDP – but it’s Jimmy Choo’s Eau de Parfum that’s the number one Christmas best seller, followed by Choo’s Illicit EDP. At number three in Perfume Direct’s Christmas Top 10 is Mont Blanc Explorer,…

With the phased shutdown of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) set to conclude in 2027, new research from Zen Internet has revealed that UK businesses are alarmingly unprepared for the transition. The study found that only 18% of small businesses and a quarter (26%) of large businesses currently have a post-PSTN solution in place. With enterprise and SME results combined, 27% are assessing their options and 17% of businesses are yet to work out what their next steps will be. Nearly a fifth (19%) are currently migrating to another system. Even more concerning, nearly one…

The fast-growing podcast that’s garnering world-wide acclaim has already featured personalities including sporting legend Jon Wilkin, comedian Jason Manford, professional racing driver Oli Webb; Coronation Street stars Samia Longchambon and William Roache OBE, Army veteran Andy Reid MBE and amputee golfer George Blackshaw. A new ‘Sofa Stories’ podcast by renowned Cheshire entrepreneurs Nick Bianchi and Oliver Dunn is garnering nationwide acclaim as the duo share their passion for business and personal growth. Nick, a prominent member of the family behind the esteemed furniture retail brand Arighi Bianchi, has teamed up with charismatic chocolatier Oliver Dunn, aka Oli The Choc, for the new venture…

– Have UK SMEs settled for sub-par internet connectivity as the norm? asks Zen Internet who carried out a national survey of SME’s internet usage – A recent study has revealed that an overwhelming 94% of small businesses in the UK experience poor internet connection, while 91% 1 encounter internet outages and a staggering quarter of businesses don’t have any backup in place if internet connection goes down.    The survey by Zen, which included responses from 500 SME decision-makers across the UK, highlighted several key findings: Commenting on the findings, Dean Burdon, Customer Experience Director at Zen, said: “The investment in new infrastructure is crucial; however, many businesses still…