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 Out of date food, gadgets you haven’t used in over a year, that drawer full of keys and batteries… sort it all out and your kitchen will be looking fresher in no time.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.
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Chester Zoo is hiring a new keeper to look after its ‘birds and bees’
Emily Sergeant
Chester Zoo is currently hiring someone to look after its ‘birds and bees’, and you can get your applications in the for role now.
If you’re after a career change in 2026, then surely it doesn’t get much better than this?
The UK’s biggest charity zoo currently has a vacancy open for a Keeper to join the Invertebrates team, and for the right candidate, this offers a fantastic opportunity to work as part of the wider Ectotherms department – with a focus on native species conservation.
Chester Zoo is responsible for one of Europe’s largest and most-diverse animal communities, and this is your chance to be a part of what makes it so special.
For this full-time role, the zoo is looking for an ‘enthusiastic, dynamic, and motivated’ individual to provide extensive knowledge and proven expertise in caring for and managing all the native invertebrate species that live there.
The ideal candidate for this job will have a HND or degree level qualification in a zoological related science or equivalent experience, and have ‘outstanding’ observational skills and attention to detail, as well as be committed to ensuring the highest possible standards of animal health and welfare are met.
The role of ‘Keeper – Invertebrates’ is 40 hours per week on a 12-month Fixed Term basis, with the working week being 10 days out of 14, including weekends and bank holidays as rostered, and the salary being £25,500 per annum.
Working at Chester Zoo comes with an ‘excellent benefits package’ and loads of perks too, including a generous pension scheme, 33 days paid holidays per year, a healthcare plan, pension scheme, a staff pass so you can visit the zoo for free, and complimentary tickets for friends and family.
Think you’re fit for the job? The closing date for applications is 22 November 2026, and you can find out more and apply for the role here.
Featured Image – Chester Zoo
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Full list of Manchester restaurants set to add an extra £1 to bills to tackle homelessness this Christmas
Emily Sergeant
A handful of local restaurants will be adding an extra £1 onto every bill over the festive season to help fight street homelessness.
As November arrives, the temperatures begin to start dropping, and the nights set in a little earlier, people in Greater Manchester are once again able to give back while they dine at some of the best restaurants the region has to offer in the run up to Christmas, as the successful StreetSmart fundraising initiative is back for another year.
This year, 15 fantastic restaurants have come together to support local homeless charities as the campaign launches today (1 November).
Manchester independents such as Proloco, Erst, Ezra & Gill, Stretford Canteen, and Blue Eyed Panda are among those taking part in the campaign this year, alongside several city centre chain restaurants such as Lina Stores, Tampopo, Banyan, Manahatta, and San Carlo.
Now in its 29th year, StreetSmart works by each participating restaurant adding an extra £1 to every bill they deliver throughout November and December, with all of the money raised going directly to local homeless organisations, thanks to StreetSmart’s official sponsorship from LandAid.
Manchester restaurants are adding an extra £1 to bills to help fight homelessness this Christmas / Credit: Supplied | Rifqi Ali Ridho (via Unsplash)
Since launching in 1998, the campaign has raised over £16.2 million to support charities across the UK, providing practical help, from meals and emergency accommodation to healthcare, training, housing advice and routes towards finding a permanent home.
The StreetSmart team says it’s determined to deliver another record-breaking year in 2026, and provide much-needed support to the services that help some of the most vulnerable people in the city.
Manchester restaurants taking part in StreetSmart 2026
Proloco
Hache MCR
Bar Posie
SAMPA
Blue Eyed Panda
Ezra & Gill
Erst
Little Seeds
Lina Stores
Stretford Canteen
Hawksmoor
Manahatta
San Carlo Bottega
Tampopo
Banyan Bar & Kitchen
“The festive period can be an incredibly tough time for the vulnerable people in our community,” explained Glenn Pougnet, who is the Director of StreetSmart.
“StreetSmart provides a simple way for people to help some of our city’s most in need. Giving back whilst dining out at Christmas is what StreetSmart is all about, and we’re thrilled to have so many restaurants already taking part.
The Manc -
12th July 2021 
