A garage can often be forgotten about and used solely to store cars and other items that rarely get used in a far-from-convenient manner.
If you’re a motor enthusiast who is regularly tinkering with your vehicle, an unorganised garage can make going about your hobby more difficult than it needs to be.
Following these simple steps can help you give your workshop a makeover, allowing you to get the most of your passion for cars.
Have a clear-out
As mentioned, garages are often used to store items that rarely get used – if at all.
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Clearing everything out gives you a clear idea of the space you’re working with, enabling you to better visualise how you want everything to set out.
If you’re unable to find a place to keep any items that you no longer want in the garage, you could try to sell them to raise funds for your renovation or place things in temporary storage while you decide what to do.
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When the garage is empty, it’s the perfect time to give it a good clean too!
Start on the interior
Once everything’s clean and tidy, you can measure up and decide how best to set your garage up.
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You might decide the floor could do with levelling out or maybe just a simple paint job. It’s also a good time to consider where would be best to place your workbench and how to arrange the space around it.
Shelves will be hugely important, so find a place you can put them up safely. You won’t want them above a car, for example, as anything that falls off could cause significant damage to your vehicle.
Get the right tools
A workman is often only as good as his tools, so it’s important to make sure you get as much value for money when it comes to getting all the gear you need for your garage.
You’ll want to tick off the basics like gloves, car ramps, torque wrenches and an impact driver. If you’re renovating your garage ahead of a big project, you might want to consider an engine crane too.
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Make the most of storage
Whether you’ll be working with tools you already had or will be investing a lot of money in new equipment, it’s paramount you store them safely.
If purchasing a used tool chest, inspect it closely for any rust and ensure all the drawers still operate smoothly. If it’s portable, purchasing some anti-slip mats can help keep the contents of your storage unit safe too.
A pegboard is also exceptionally useful in a garage, giving you easy access to the tools you use the most. This will help keep your newly renovated garage feeling fit for purpose for the long term.
News
Andy Burnham announces ‘fundamental’ changes to the UK’s education system
Emily Sergeant
The Prime Minister will unveil a fundamental change to the education system today with the launch of new prestigious technical educational routes.
Andy Burnham says he is ‘determined’ to put technical education on an equal footing with the traditional academic path to ensure there are no so-called ‘dead ends’ for young people coming out of the education system by providing them high-quality alternative routes that are valued and respected by students, parents, and employers alike.
The new pathways will provide 14-year-olds with ‘valuable’ early access to technical skills, work experience, and connections with local employers.
Building on successful local initiatives – such as the MBacc, launched by Andy Burnham here in Greater Manchester when he was Mayor – the new technical routes will mean young people can develop the technical knowledge and skills needed to progress in areas like engineering, healthcare, and digital technology.
It will aim to ‘skill them up’ with the specific knowledge and capabilities that local employers need.
Andy Burnham has announced ‘fundamental’ changes to the UK’s education system / Credit: MChe Lee (via Unsplash) | Wikimedia Commons
So, how will it all work then? Well, when students enter Year 10, they will have the chance to combine core academic subjects – including English, Maths, and Science – with a high-quality technical education that’s linked to the jobs available in their area.
During these courses, students will be able to spend time with employers and gain valuable real-world experience.
Regional mayors, local leaders, schools, colleges, and employers will work together to shape these new technical education pathways, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all system.
To support this, the Government says it will prioritise funding towards high-quality technical education and practical routes into work, and will also change the way school performance is measured so that inspectors recognise the schools support young people to develop the skills, experience, and confidence employers want.
This way, no matter whether young people choose university, an apprenticeship, further education, or direct entry into a skilled profession, they will able to see a clear route from education into employment.
“For too long in this country, students have been told that you must take the academic path to do well and to be respected,” explained Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
“The whole school system has been built around it and that has let down young people seeking technical qualifications.
“I want an education system based on parity between academic and technical which gives all young people a clear path in life.
“From today, Britain will value the hard hat every bit as much as the graduation cap.”
Featured Image – MChe Lee (via Unsplash)
News
When does the UK’s fourth heatwave of the year hit Greater Manchester?
Danny Jones
Brace yourselves: ANOTHER heatwave is set to hit the UK – the fourth in 2026 so far – and, understandably, Greater Manchester residents are already preparing for the latest blast of hot weather and wondering when it gets here.
Yes, in case you missed the news, more high temperatures are set to spread across Great Britain and Ireland this month and heading into August.
The increase will gradually build throughout this week, with Wednesday tipped to be the hottest day according to various meteorological sources.
Fortunately for us here in the North West, parts of the Midlands and the usual suspects down south are set to hit the highest numbers, but the thermometers are still on course to reach around the mid-20s over the coming days.
Temperatures are set to rise this week across some areas, bringing a return to hotter conditions 🥵
The heat looks to be fairly short-lived, however, with temperatures expected to fall again towards the end of the week 🌡️ pic.twitter.com/IKsunEdwhU
Estimates of 26°C have been predicted for this coming Tuesday, with the levels floating in and around 24/25 on the following Wednesday.
The heat is then due to drop off slowly, with top scores of no higher than 21°C on the cards for Thursday and Friday. Although the weekend forecast is less certain at present, one thing that has been announced is reduced rainfall.
Aside from a few more trickles today (Mon, 27 July), the showers or lack thereof cease rather soon, with some of the driest parts of the country already having various effects; for instance, parched parts of Wales have even revealed lost archaeological sites last Friday (24/7/2026).
It would be remiss if we didn’t mention the obvious moorland fires across our region, which were sadly exacerbated by hot weather earlier this month.
Following on from the hottest June on record, the Dovestone and Tinwhistle areas of Oldham and parts of Derbyshire saw hundreds of hectares turn into a deeply dangerous blaze for several days.
As per the latest statistics, it’s said that the equivalent of 1,250 football pitches were scorched following the alarming wildfire, which also raised concerns for wildlife and surrounding air quality.
The Manc -
21st July 2021 
