You know what they say – the kitchen is the heart of the home, so you want it to be a room that you love to spend time in.
A great kitchen can also add value to the cost of your property, so a revamp and refresh every so often is important. If you want a new-look room but you’ve got a strict budget, worry not – here are some top tips on how to improve your kitchen with just a few small, affordable, changes.
Clean and Declutter
Kickstart your transformation with a deep clean of your kitchen. Take everything off the shelves and use this also as a chance to declutter. Out of date food, gadgets you haven’t used in over a year, that drawer full of keys and batteries… sort it all out and your kitchen will be looking fresher in no time. It’ll also give you a proper look at what parts of the room might need extra attention. This is probably the least fun part, but it’s essential.
Make the Most of the Space
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Stephen Lynskey, Head Designer at Hammonds, has offered some expert tips on how to best utilise the space in a small kitchen. Stephen advises, where possible, to consider replacing cupboards with drawers – they hold so much more. In your remaining cupboards, use baskets, shelf risers and under-shelf hooks to maximise space and make everything easier to access.
Paint the Furniture
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You can make a huge difference to your kitchen by simply painting the furniture. Make sure you buy paint that’s resistant to stains and household products, and you could transform your cupboards from dull and dark to bright and welcoming in no time.
Paint the Walls
Perhaps painting the furniture is too big a job, or you don’t need to – if so, why not refresh things a little by painting the walls? It doesn’t need to be a bold change, even a new lick of neutral paint will breathe new life into your kitchen.
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Change the Chairs
Chairs really set the tone of a room, so consider investing in new ones to go around your dining table. You could opt for chic, understated chairs or a loud, colourful style that will really express personality.
Lighting is Key
Lighting is everything. Installing suspended lights will make a statement, while dimmers will create a lovely, cosy atmosphere.
Don’t Forget the Finishing Touches
Some final decorative touches will really complete your new kitchen. Hanging artwork will bring warmth and personality to the space, especially if it’s art that’s personal to you. And don’t underestimate the power of plants. Invest in a few house plants and the room will instantly come to life. Buy some vases that match the style of the room, too, and fill them with flowers. You won’t believe the difference.
Business
Manchester’s tiny new tiramisu hatch Layr speaks out after receiving influx of ‘hostile’ hate messages
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s tiny new tiramisu hatch has spoken out after receiving a recent influx of ‘hostile’ hate messages and reviews.
Having only opened its doors – or should we say, shutters – at the end of last month (29 January) over in Acoats, Layr is one of Manchester’s newest independent businesses that is selling purely tiramisu, with a menu of three different flavours, each served in individually portioned pots.
Here you can expect classic tiramisu where sponge is soaked in espresso, then layered with vanilla marscapone and cocoa dust.
These freshly-made, alcohol-free and Halal desserts have gone down an absolute treat with residents and visitors to the city alike since opening, but unfortunately, it hasn’t been completely smooth sailing for founder Moona who has admitted over the weekend that they have been receiving a number of ‘hostile’ hate comments and reviews that don’t reflect the service they are providing.
The statement comes after the business teamed up with The Couture Club and influencer Farron Clark for a Valentine’s collaboration over the weekend.
Layr said in its Instagram statement: “As a small independent business, we can’t stay silent when things aren’t right. It’s hard to share, but it has to be said.
“With a heavy heart, we need to address something that’s been happening behind the scenes. Over the past few days, we’ve noticed a pattern that’s been difficult to process. Hostile hate-messages, comments, and reviews. A number of one-star reviews have appeared that don’t feel reflective of real customer experiences… with some of our genuine customer photos have been screenshotted and reposted elsewhere.
Layr has spoken out after receiving an influx of ‘hostile’ hate messages / Credit: The Manc Group
“As a small, new independent business, we take all feedback on board. However instances that appear not to be genuine are disheartening to see.”
They then shared a couple of screenshot images of reviews and comments they were referring to, before adding that: “The industry is already a challenge without these instances. We all need each other’s support and I hope we all succeed in what we set out to achieve.”
The statement concluded: “Let’s spread love… not hate.”
Layr’s post has seen hundreds of likes and comments from customers and other local businesses sharing their support.
Featured Image – The Manc Group
Business
Tesco confirms it will review ‘unfair’ Clubcard rule after shopper complaints
Emily Sergeant
Tesco is said to be ‘actively reviewing’ one of the rules of its Clubcard loyalty scheme.
Following shopper complaints and long-term campaigning by consumer champion Which?, Tesco has announced that it will be looking into the rule that prevents shoppers under 18 years of age from signing up to its popular Clubcard loyalty scheme.
Which? research found that shoppers must be 18 or over to join loyalty schemes at Tesco, and other major supermarket chains like Lidl, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, and Waitrose, whereas at the at Co-op, you only need to be 16.
And then at the Co-op again, and also Sainsbury’s, if you’re added to a parent or guardian’s account, you can be even younger.
Meanwhile, over at popular high street drugstore chains Boots and Superdrug, you only need to be 13 to sign up to their popular loyalty schemes.
Tesco has confirmed it will review its ‘unfair’ Clubcard rule after shopper complaints / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
This discrepancy is why Which? has been urging supermarkets to lift ‘unfair’ restrictions on who can sign up to their loyalty schemes, saying it has ‘repeatedly called’ for action after revealing that millions of people are excluded from accessing lower prices at some of the UK’s biggest retailers due to age, address, or digital access requirements.
Tesco has said in a statement that it is ‘actively reviewing’ Tesco Clubcard with the intention of making it available to under-18s ‘this year’.
According to Which?, Tesco has been rather ‘vague’ on exactly when the change for under-18 shoppers might come into effect, but says customers who don’t have a Clubcard can still find value using its Aldi Price Match and Everyday Low Prices schemes.
“Which? research shows that the savings from Tesco Clubcard can be really significant, which is why access to them matters so much for shoppers trying to make ends meet,” commented Reena Sewraz, who is the Retail Editor at Which?.
“We’ve been putting pressure on Tesco for years now over its unfair policy of excluding young people, many of whom are struggling with the cost of living, so we’re glad [the supermarket] has listened.
“This is a big step in the right direction, provided it moves quickly to fully implement these changes.”
The Manc -
12th July 2021 
