We recognise that the current situation surrounding COVID-19 will be a cause of major concern to everyone but we want to re assure you that we are here to help if you should need us.
To help, please see below some useful links, online resources, guidance and information that may be useful.
Business Interruption Loan Scheme
ACAS Employer and Employee Advice
During this time of lockdown and social distancing, with the vast majority of people at home, it’s never been more important to look after your mental wellbeing as well as your health.
For some people, being at home during the day will be normal, particularly for those that are retired or looking after children. However, for a lot of people, this will be quite a change from the usual day-to-day life. Once the novelty of being at home has worn off, you may find yourself wondering how to keep some sense of normality.
Here are some top tips to help you keep busy, keep well and manage your mental health.
Have a routine
A lot of people find having a routine important. From getting up at the same time each day, following the same morning routine as much as possible, but what about after that? Whether you live alone or with others, why not set a plan for the week?
What activities you’ll be doing consistently every day? e.g. your daily form of exercise
Plan different activities for different days
Make a list of jobs you need to do around the house – some people find ticking things off a list gives them a sense of achievement
Having a sort out – if you’re not working from home, this is a great time to catch up on those jobs you’ve meaning to do for a while. Organising cupboards, cleaning the oven, sorting the garage, organising paperwork and bills – the list is endless
Have a digital clear out. If you’ve got hundreds of emails sat in your inbox, why not spend some time organising or deleting emails you don’t need.
Sorting your finances – whether you’ve got an insurance renewal coming up, need to speak to your mortgage company about a payment holiday or just filing paperwork, now is a great time to sort these jobs. Remember that phone lines are likely to be very busy at the moment, particularly for mortgage companies, so be patient.
Cleaning – just keeping on top of the chores will help, but if you love a bit of cleaning get your dusters and Dettol out and give the house a deep clean.
Find ways to relax or be creative
Whether you’ve now got a full household, or you’re used to being out and about, finding some activities to keep your occupied or relaxed at home will really help maintain a sense of well being
Arts and Crafts – many people find they need a creative outlet so think about activities you might enjoy. This could be painting, drawing, upcycling old furniture, knitting, crocheting and much more. You can order supplies online.
DIY – if you enjoy a spot of decorating or you’ve got a list of odd jobs to do around the house, now is a great time to get on top of the DIY
Playing music – for those of you that are musically inclined, picking up an instrument, singing or listening to music will be a great way to get creative or relax
Mindfulness and meditation – taking time out to relax and shut off from everything that’s going on can be really helpful. If you’ve got children at home, it can be difficult to find time for yourself, but even if it’s ten minutes when the kids are all in bed, it can be beneficial. There’s lots of mindfulness apps out there.
Yoga is a great way to exercise gently and focus on your breathing. Many people find it reduces stress and anxiety as well as feeling more grounded
Gardening – if you love tending to plants, now is a great time to start seeding plants ready for the summer. You could even think about growing your own veg. You don’t need to head out to the local garden centre or DIY store, you can buy seeds, compost etc online
Create a list of movies or boxsets – maybe you’ve never seen Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad, Downton Abbey, now might be a great time to make a list and tick off all of the TV shows and movies you’ve been wanting to watch, but previously, not had the time to do so.
Stay connected
For some, not being able to see friends or family could become quite lonely, so it’s important to stay connected. And with all the tech we’re surrounded with, doing so with video calls through Facetime or What’s app or zoom is a doddle.
Make a bucket list
One idea that has been trending on social media is creating your very own bucket list for when life returns to normal and we’re no longer in lockdown or social distancing. Think about all the things you currently miss doing, what are the things you want to do as soon as you’re able to?
Maybe it’s visiting all the friends and family you’ve not seen and giving them a much-needed hug, maybe a visit to the beach, going to the pub for dinner, going for a walk without having to cross the road. Whatever it is, write them on a small piece of paper, fold them up and stick them in a jar or container. Then when life returns to normal, pick one out and go and do it. This will give you something positive to focus on.
Keeping your mind active
Remember to keep your brain active and challenged by setting aside time for reading, doing puzzles or watching films. There are lots of free brain training apps for smart phones. You could learn a new skill or language. What about setting up your own blog? Writing about your experiences during this period of isolation could be quite cathartic and entertaining for others, particularly if you keep it light and positive.
Managing your media intake
Whilst it can be useful to keep a watchful eye on the news, for some people it can trigger anxiety and be very overwhelming. Take a look at the MIND website they have some great advice with news and information. You can find out more here.
To keep informed, use reputable sources such as the BBC or the Government websites.
For many people, working from home is part of their working life, but for others, it will be the first time they’ve needed to do it. It can be a big culture shock from being surrounded by people and talking to someone right next to you to total isolation in a matter of a week. It takes some getting used but after a few weeks it starts to get easier and you can then work from pretty much anywhere, so here are a few tips to help you be more efficient and maintain your wellbeing, without feeling too isolated.
Having the right kit
Hopefully if you’re working from home, you’ve got the right tools for the job. For most this will include a web-enabled laptop, with access to your work’s intranet and files, however most people can do what they need to via email. If you need to speak to people and have a mobile phone, start using video calls. This will help you to not feel like you’re on your own, and if you’re on the phone, try to use your headphones or a headset to avoid neckache.
Flexibility versus discipline
Sticking to a routine really helps. Get up at the same time, as if you were going to leave for work, even showering and dressing for the day helps. Then get to your desk, table, kitchen work top at the same time, this will give you a feeling of continuity, the only thing that you need to be mindful of is not working over, sometimes when working at home you can work longer hours, so be strict with your start and finish times.
However, in light of Coronavirus, you’ll probably need to be more flexible, particularly if you’ve got kids and other members of your family at home. Try to find a space in the house where you can minimise disruption but be flexible enough to know that you may need to do some work in the evenings when the kids are in bed.
Don’t try to overcompensate with communication – many people feel they have to ‘be seen’, but over sending emails is going to take up other people’s time. Be efficient, get things done and share what you’ve been working on.
Take regular breaks
When you’re working from home, a routine is important, but make sure it doesn’t become monotonous. Make yourself a cup of tea or coffee, just like you would at work. Many freelancers that work from home recommend the Pomodoro Technique, whereby you choose a task and break it down into mini, focussed ‘sprints’ in the aim of reducing internal and external disruptions.
Lists is another way of compartmentalising your day, the best bit of a list is ticking off a task which gives you a huge sense of achievement. This doesn’t work for everyone, but it does help to focus your mind.
If you’re on a long conference call, stand up, walk around. These breaks will help to keep you focussed longer term and avoid burn-out.
If you normally have a lunch break – be sure to fit in some exercise; either a walk around the block (following the Government’s guidelines) or a ten-minute burst of activity to keep your energy up in the afternoon.
Keep in contact
Set up a WhatsApp group for you and your team/colleagues. Check in each morning, make sure you’re all well and ready for the day. It’s also a good way to communicate and update each other, without using email. Keep it upbeat and positive. As we’ve already mentioned, you can use video calling on your phone, but there are other options too – here’s a few you might find useful:
Zoom - is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars.
Google Hangouts – with options for both audio and video conferencing, users must have a Gmail account. You can host both of these for up to 25 people.
PowWowNow – offers free audio conferencing for unlimited guests. If you want video or web conferencing they do offer a subscription service.
Skype – one of the best-known conference-calling solutions where you can host calls for up to 25 people that have skype enabled on their computer.
Congestion is causing severe disruptions at the UK's three main container ports. LOFA members are seeing shipping lines not being allowed to return empty containers to the ports because they have exceeded their agreed allocations. Consequently, ports are putting a block on them returning any further containers in an attempt to prevent congestion at the terminals. In the past shipping, lines have used surrounding off quay container yards for overspill storage but this again is an issue because container yards do not operate the same hours as the ports.
Major congestion disruptions and misery at all three ports, Felixstowe, Southampton, and London are being further compounded by the added introduction of COVID 19 measures.
Right now, the situation is worsening, this crisis is expected to continue into next year, or until there is a let-up in the current volume levels, which is leading to carrier companies introducing port congestion surcharges.
This lack of space and container issues will result in price hikes coming in as early as next week. This crisis has led to many carriers refusing bookings to the UK and even talks of UK ports being omitted on some vessel rotations. The container capacity issues in the market will inevitably lead to substantial increases in sea freight costs, and the lack of availability will also lead to delays in the delivery of containers to UK destinations.
The situation will become worse before it gets better for logistic providers and UK importers. It is hoped that the current backlog does not continue into Chinese New Year so that business can recover by the time we reach February 2021 and if not by the time we are all faced with the challenges that Brexit will bring.
This is troubling news for LOFA members and the industry as a whole, leisure products start to hit ports as early as December. The UK appears to be in a particularly difficult position, the congestion and delays which appeared to impact Felixstowe initially have now spread to other ports, resulting in some vessels having to “cut and run’ before discharging containers. The UK port issues have now led to one or two carriers unofficially communicating their refusal to take bookings to the UK from Asian locations during November. It will therefore follow that their vessels will not be calling at UK ports.
Of course, the peak season, which has been heightened by six months of global trade being pushed into four this year, cannot be expected to continue indefinitely and is usually driven by Black Friday and Christmas sales. So, at some time, in the not too distant future, there must be some much-needed respite for UK ports and business, that said, with COVID-19 starting to peak once more, the current national lockdown and Brexit on the horizon, the next few months are still likely to be an extremely challenging time for the industry as a whole.
Container Issues continue to escalate at UK ports
LOFA reported two weeks ago of the congestion that is causing major problems at UK ports, this crisis is now escalating, and the situation is now being highlighted by the BBC who are reporting on the struggle and financial impact this it's having on UK businesses.
These issues at ports have led to shipping firms quadrupling their freight costs. These delays, which mainly seem to be worse at Felixstowe, are being caused by a surge in import traffic.
The owner of the port said that if the chaos continues, these increased shipping prices will have to be passed down the supply chain. It seems that containers are being left on the quayside because haulage companies are unable to book slots to enter the site.
Retail outlets will suffer because they will be unable to sell what is en-route at the moment in time for Christmas which will mean there will be a knock-on effect for the outdoor leisure industry after the holidays when garden-related products start arriving ready for the S/S Season 2021.
Hutchinson Ports UK who owns Felixstowe has said that Covid, the imbalance in UK Trade, and Brexit stockpiling have exacerbated the situation and they are working with their customers and stakeholders to try and find a solution for the current situation.
Another problem that is facing the port is empty containers waiting to be shipped back to Asia, these are causing a backlog at ports across Europe and North America, and to add further fuel to the fire shipping companies have sharply increased freight prices in response to the congestion, some by as much as 300%.
It is extremely worrying that big shipping lines are drastically reducing UK volumes because so much of the UK goods arrive through our ports. Ports across the world are battling to manage these surging demands for imports but it seems that Felixstowe is struggling more than most.
The deal struck with the EU is proving to be not as frictionless as the industry had hoped. LOFA members are reporting of difficulties importing and exporting post Brexit, due to delays and complex paperwork requirements at the UK border.
Deliveries
Before Christmas deliveries were taking a maximum of 1 week to reach the UK, but hauliers have now increased average estimated lead times to a minimum of 3-4 weeks. A number of the larger logistics companies are refusing to deliver to the UK unless they have full loads which can clear customs without touching bonded warehouses. This is because freight forwarded bonded warehouses are facing a backlog due to a build-up of trailers waiting to be unpacked. As a result orders can now be delayed for in excess of 2 weeks whilst they wait to be processed.
Significant business has been and will be lost because some Irish customers importing from Europe are using the ferry from Dunkirk to Rosslare, rather than using transport systems through the UK.
Borders
Borders are undermanned and there are just not enough staff to cope with the increased documentation checks. This coupled with the new systems that were triggered on the 1st January which importers, exporters and hauliers are saying are convoluted and over- complicated, are causing issues at point of entry because of incorrect paperwork.
This is further compounded by a software update delay by the HMRC which means the current system is not up to coping with the demands needed for the new controls.
Charges
Tariff charges have increased for both imports and exports and in some cases doubled if the country of origin is outside Europe, which means sales are affected at every stage of the journey. There is a new £50 charge levied for each custom declaration plus a further tariff charge for each line item on an import document. This means that for some, drop shipping direct from Europe will no longer be viable.
Drivers and hauliers are reluctant to travel to the UK in case they have to quarantine for 14 days, Hauliers are telling us that it is chaos out there with long delays and unprecedented disruption. One company said that it has turned out to be… ”worse than the worst-case scenario they had ever imagined.”
The new regulations that have been imposed as a result Brexit are clearly forming a barrier to trade. They are not only having dire implications for our members but also the supply chain and the wider import/ export industry. As an organisation we are actively lobbying government departments and local MPs and asking them to urgently address the issues adversely impacting not only LOFA members, but also a significant proportion of other major UK industries.
It is becoming increasingly apparent that the Brexit deal was not a deal for continued and unrestricted trading. It is a deal that to date has put up logistical barriers and appears to be severing our commercial partnerships with Europe.
2020 to 2030 will be the most important 10 years for our planet. What we do in this time will determine the course of humanity. If every person, association, organisation, and Government take decisive action now, we can all contribute to a flourishing society, a healthy environment, and a prosperous economy.
Sustainability is no longer a “nice to have”, it’s a business imperative and a critical global issue. Everyone wants to see action and people are becoming more engaged than ever in the process. It is our children and future generations that are going to suffer if we don’t all step up to the mark and start addressing these social and environmental concerns today.
Looking after the planet can realise many business benefits like better brand positioning, attracting great talent, cost savings, customer loyalty, and gaining a competitive advantage. Future-proofing our businesses, in particular, is something that should be at the top of every to-do list, which can only have a positive impact on the world.
LOFA has teamed up with Planet Mark, a company that cares about the planet and wants to help businesses action and power change. Their certification recognises continuous improvement, encourages action, and helps build an empowered community of like-minded individuals to make a whole world of difference.
LOFA first became aware of Planet Mark in 2020 at the GCA conference, where Sir Tim Smit KBE the founder of the Eden Project, gave a fantastic presentation on sustainability and what businesses could do to reduce their carbon footprints.
Some of our members have already started down this road (Alexander Rose, Lifestyle Garden @Scancom, Leisuregrow, Zest4leisure, Que Fresco, Kadai, and Ginique to name but a few) and are well on their way to reducing the effect their businesses are having on the planet.
Planet Mark supports the Eden Project and also Cool Earth, a non-profit organisation that works alongside rainforest communities to halt deforestation by putting local people back in control of their forests. Every business that joins Planet Mark protects an acre of rainforest for every year of membership, so far Planet Mark has protected hundreds of acres of rainforest in Peru, and LOFA’s involvement will protect hundreds more.
By measuring and reducing our carbon footprint with Planet Mark we can directly and measurable contribute to up to 9 Sustainable Development Goals and address 25 SDG targets
To help kick off this initiative, LOFA in conjunction with Planet Mark will be holding a Business Sustainability Essentials workshop. This workshop will outline how LOFA members can choose their organisation’s focus areas for carbon reduction and social value creation and take incremental steps forward to come up with plans to reduce carbon emissions.
After much discussion with LOFA Members, SOLEX exhibitors, and visitors we have made the decision to cancel the SOLEX Exhibition this year and re-schedule for July 2022.
We have obtained feedback from, and listened to, lots of views from our exhibitors and their customers and no one we have spoken to feels comfortable attending an exhibition this year.
Every year we look forward to connecting with exhibitors, buyers, and industry professionals and although there are positive signs that events may be able to restart sometime this year, thanks to the Government’s “way forward” plan, the current restrictions will compound the challenges faced in organising this event, and unlike other exhibitions, we are unable to move the SOLEX Show to a later date in the year, because of the long lead times required for orders.
We wanted to make the right decision for everyone involved and we did not want to continue with a show that would not be up to our customary high standards and so, have decided not to run SOLEX in 2021 but move the exhibition to July 2022 when we can come back bigger, better and hopefully Covid free!
We know that this will come as an enormous disappointment to many, so in place of the in-person SOLEX exhibition we are planning another VIRTUAL SOLEX this year, and we will share our plans for this in the coming weeks.
NEW DATES: Solex 2022 – NEC, 12-14 July 2022
More than 180 ships remain blocked in the Suez Canal in both directions, unable to get through one of the busiest waterways in the world, LOFA has learned that the freeing of the ship may take longer than originally thought.
A huge backlog of vessels is building up amid warnings that the salvage team could need days or even weeks, to prise out the giant container ship that’s blocking the crucial waterway.
Work to re-float the Ever Given and allow passage for oceangoing carriers hauling almost $10 billion of oil and consumer goods continued without success on Thursday. Tugs and diggers have so far failed to budge the vessel, and some experts say the crisis could drag on for several days. The Suez Canal Authority has temporarily suspended traffic along the waterway.
Many LOFA members have products on the Ever Given or held in one of the container ships behind the vessel, which means yet another setback for the outdoor leisure industry which is already dealing with issues caused by port congestion, lack of empty containers, and rising shipping costs.
The incident began on Tuesday when the Ever Given, on its way to Rotterdam from China, faced strong winds which kicked up sands along the banks of the 120-mile canal. The waterway is less than 205 meters in some places and can be difficult to navigate when there’s poor visibility. As gusts that reached as high as 46 miles an hour swept up dust around it, the crew lost control of the ship and it careered sideways into a sandy embankment, blocking nearly the entirety of the channel
At about a quarter-mile long (400 meters) and weighing in at 200,000 tons, the sheer size of the vessel is overwhelming efforts to dig it out. The vessel will most likely have to be lightened before it can be dug out on either end. The salvors may have to lighten the ship by removing things like the ballast water, which helps keep it steady while at sea. Fuel could also be unloaded.
Container ships usually take 5-6 weeks to travel from China to UK ports, some shipping companies are now starting to divert their ships around the southern tip of Africa, the Cape of Good Hope, which adds about 3,500 miles to the journey and up to 12 days.
This could not have come at a worst time for LOFA Members and retailers with the Easter and May day weekends fast approaching it will mean extra delays for products arriving in the UK.
INCREASED FREIGHT RATES AND CONTAINER CRISIS
Over the past 19 months, LOFA has constantly been reporting on the operational issues faced by its members and the industry as a whole. We were hoping these issues would have lessened and we could have gained some respite however, it seems that these problems are now escalating even further.
LOFA can report that there is yet another increase in freight rates being levied at our industry, and the new FAK* rates from Asia to North Europe are now edging towards $20,000 per 40ft container, this represents a massive 1566% increase in the space of 19 months.
These increased rates will of course have a major impact on importers, retailers, and consumers. Retailers will not be able to sell stock if the retail prices have to be increased due to the jump in these shipping costs. Importers will find themselves trapped, having to pay 16 times more for freight than last year and it would not be unlikely to expect some companies to flounder in 2022 if this situation is not resolved.
Considering many of our members have to bring in 50 plus containers in a season this is a huge amount of extra funding they are having to generate.
Example
2021 - 50 containers @ $20,000 per 40ft Container $1,000,000
2019 - 50 containers @ $1200 per 40ft Container $ 60,000
Extra funding $ 940,000
LOFA members have tried to absorb these costs where they can, to assist their customers, but this will no longer be possible with such a massive increase.
The whole market is in bedlam and there are many defining factors causing this issue, price increases aside.
Is it the shipping lines that have colluded together and seized this opportunity to increase prices whilst the demand is strong and are now reaping the benefits for no other reason than they can? Distributors, retailers, and consumers are now all paying excessively for this short-term profit gain, in real terms has Brexit, Covid and the high demand helped them to get away with their greed, and are they in effect operating as a cartel? Is there too much control in the hands of the shipping lines?
In light of these ongoing difficulties LOFA has lobbied the Department of International Trade, the Home Office, local government and has also reported this price-fixing by the larger freight firms to the Competition and Markets Authority, this report is now with the CMA legal team who are deliberating on a decision. LOFA is hoping this will lead to a full investigation.
*FAK is an acronym used in the shipping industry that stands for Freight All Kinds. According to globalnegotiator.com, they are rates applicable to all types of goods and not restricted to any particular commodity.
Borge Leth, the founder of Alexander Rose, retires after 27 years at Alexander Rose.
Borge, a Dane, had a vision and over the years created the UK’s premium outdoor wood, weave, and metal furniture brand. He now feels that the time has come to spend more time with his wife, children, and grandchildren.
Borge, who will retire back home in Denmark, will remain as a consultant not only for Alexander Rose but also for the owners of the Roda Group and their two furniture factories in Bolivia and the Philippines.
Jan Vejsholt (pictured) has been appointed as the new Managing Director at Alexander Rose, with a background of 35 years in Director roles at some of Europe’s leading modern contemporary furniture brands.
Alexander Rose was established in 1994 and is based in Burgess Hill, West Sussex. They source the highest quality materials and supply high-end furniture all over the world in a variety of traditional and contemporary designs.
On 14 October 2021 – Phil Gibbs, former LOFA Secretary was given a 27-month custodial sentence for Fraud by abuse of position – fraud act 2006 between 01/08/2013 and 31/12/2018.
He had been made redundant in October 2018 as LOFA needed a greater marketing input, and there were some serious concerns and disciplinary actions relating to his poor financial reporting as requested by the previous Chairman Mark Osborne and Pravin Patel.
A former Secretary seconded in an interim term discovered suspicious paperwork which then prompted the launch of a full investigation. The board appointed an accountant to conduct a full forensic investigation going back several years and once the Fraud squad were involved there was an enormous amount of work carried out over many months to retrieve the facts and allow the Fraud Squad at Portsmouth to build a solid case. Phil Gibbs was calculating and conniving and had duped a professional company of auditors for over 6 years, there are suspicions his devious activity started even earlier than has been proved.
Phil Gibbs misappropriated a substantial amount of money from LOFA /SOLEX and even stole money allocated by the Board at LOFA to be donated to various charities, he was arrested in 2019 but still continued to evade the legal system until the overwhelming strength of the case was relayed to him by his council and finally led to him pleading guilty. The sentencing too was delayed by his actions before justice was finally served.
Our Chairman Pravin Patel commented – We are saddened and appalled that someone in such a position of trust could abuse the people and the organisation that had looked after him so well. We at LOFA have already ensured that the charities who were deprived of vital donations have been sent the funds allocated to them, the long fight to retrieve some of the money stolen from LOFA and SOLEX now begins.
8th February 2022 - Due to the continued growth of the brand and a boom in sales for its highly-rated BBQ grills, Char-Broil has appointed Daniel Grundy as its new Sales Representative for UK & Ireland. Effective immediately, Daniel's new role will be to forge new - as well as maintain and grow existing - relationships with Char-broil's key retailers within the UK and Ireland.
Daniel has strong knowledge and experience in sales after 10 years in retail within the motor industry, during which time he delivered strong sales growth figures year on year.
"We're delighted to welcome Daniel to the Char-Broil team," says Luke Hopkins, National Sales Manager for Char-broil UK: "Daniel comes with extensive sales experience and a strong set of customer service and consumer support skills."
"Daniel's main responsibility will be to support our accounts in all aspects of the sales journey, and help them in delivering a high level of customer satisfaction to the consumer. He will be in regular contact with our accounts to ensure they have the support they require.
"We have a fantastic line-up of products for 2022 with new models across our innovative, best-selling TRU-Infrared and hybrid Gas2Coal ranges, and we look forward to working with Daniel to continue driving the success of the Char-Broil brand in the UK".
Daniel, who has a diploma in Electronic Engineering and a proven track record in exceeding sales targets even during the pandemic, adds: "I'm looking forward to contributing to the further growth of Char-Broil in the UK and to building relationships with both existing and new customers. It's an exciting time for the brand and I'm thrilled to be joining its dynamic UK team."
Daniel will be working out of the UK HQ in Witney, Oxfordshire.
Char-Broil is delighted to announce that LUKE Hopkins, formerly Char-Broil UK National Sales Manager has been promoted to General Sales Manager for UK and Ireland
Luke has been with Char-Broil for just over a year, and during that time has helped increase distribution and build sales to unprecedented levels for the brand in the UK.
In his new role, Luke will be firing up Char-Broil’s business even further within the UK and Ireland and identifying and developing additional retail channels for the brand and its best-selling ranges.
“We’re delighted to give Luke the promotion he truly deserves,” says Ian Railton, Managing Director, Char-Broil Europe. “He’s responsible for an impressive uplift in our UK sales and has the energy and focus that we need to help build the Char-Broil brand even further in both the UK and Ireland.”
Luke has strong knowledge and experience from within the industry, having worked previously at Landmann and the Van Hage Garden Centre in Peterborough. He’s now also a director of the Leisure & Outdoor Furniture Association (LOFA) working to promote brands within the UK gardening industry.
Char-Broil UK has had a very successful start to the year, with an increased number of retailers and garden centers taking on a wider selection of the brand’s innovative Gas2Coal and TRU-Infrared BBQ grills – including strong take-up of the new Performance Pro and Performance Core models, which are new for 2022.
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As an association, we know there are always new ways of doing things. Sometimes, we have to find new ways to get the job done and sometimes, the old ways are the best!
We were all set to hold the exhibition in May 2023 but after canvassing our exhibitors and visitors during SOLEX whilst they were all in one place at one time, it seems that although we made provision for SOLEX to be held in May next year it turns out that the far east market has now shifted yet again and so we have been in discussion with the NEC about leaving the exhibition exactly where it is.
It suits our exhibitors, but more importantly, it suits the industry, who would have difficulty knowing what products they need to purchase before July. Spring is the main season for our visitors with sales continuing right up until the end of June. July allows them more time to make better-informed buying decisions.
You learn by experience, and we have learned that SOLEX is a great show, the industry like it in July, the exhibitors like it in July so it turns out this show was great after all exactly where it was.
The exhibition industry is always in motion with markets constantly shifting and it is great that SOLEX is able to be so flexible and agile to consider the needs of its exhibitors and visitor requirements.
Solex is committed to delivering an ever-growing and improving show year on year. We are constantly striving to innovate and improve our exhibition, and we believe that there is always room for improvement. We will continue to work hard to ensure that our exhibitors and visitors have the best possible experience, and we appreciate your ongoing support.
LOFA and SOLEX would like to take this opportunity to say a big “THANK YOU” to everyone that attended and visited SOLEX 22, it was wonderful to be back together again after so long.
SOLEX 2023 is just around the corner, and we can't wait to do it all over again!
10-12 July 2023 | Hall 5 | NEC, Birmingham
2022 is the start of a great partnership between LOFA and the LANDSCAPE Show.
The synergy between these two shows is undeniable. They both work to promote great products and innovation within the outdoor industry. This partnership will be sure to bring a new level of excitement to both events.
The indoor-outdoor phenomenon is taking over all types of living spaces, from country homes to city apartments, and trade events dedicated to this collaboration are popping up all over the world. Garden designers, landscape architects, architects, architectural technologists, and contractors are all coming together to find market-leading products that can be used in high-end projects. This partnership between the outdoor leisure industry and the indoor living space industry is creating a new focus on architecture and technology. Thanks to weatherproof rugs, outdoor kitchens, showers on the terrace, and sofas in the garden, we can now enjoy the best of both worlds. No longer confined to our homes, we can now relax and entertain outdoors without sacrificing any of the comforts of indoor living.
For the first time in its history, the LANDSCAPE Show and LOFA (Leisure & Outdoor Furniture Association) are collaborating. This partnership is a coming together of two great organisations with the common goal of championing the outdoor industry. By joining forces, we will be able to offer an even wider range of benefits and services to our visitors and members. This collaboration is an exciting step forward for both the LANDSCAPE Show and LOFA’s bespoke exhibition SOLEX (Summer Outdoor Living Exhibition). We are looking forward to working together to support the continued growth and success of the landscape and outdoor leisure industries.
Be sure to check out the LOFA stand at the landscape show this year! You’ll be able to see some of the best products from some of the most innovative members of LOFA. And if you’re looking for more reasons to visit SOLEX, be sure to check out the LANDSCAPE Shows Garden Exhibit at SOLEX in July 23.
Register today for the
LANDSCAPE Show 28/29 September 22, Hall 3, NEC, Birmingham
SOLEX Exhibition 10-12 July 23, Hall 5, NEC, Birmingham
LOFA is proud to announce its partnership with Perennial, a charity working to support and promote the health of those who work in horticulture. As part of this partnership, LOFA has pledged to donate £20,000 to help Perennial in their efforts.
One key initiative that LOFA is supporting is the “Promote Health Campaign”, which aims to provide free blood pressure and pulse checks which are vital and gives us a glimpse into our overall well-being. These checks signal early signs of an infection, prevent a misdiagnosis, detect symptomless medical problems and encourage us to make better choices, as well as detecting early signs of Hypertension, which can increase the risk of developing serious problems such as heart attacks and strokes. These checks will be provided in a LOFA sponsored health kiosk, which will be located at industry events up and down the country starting with the Landscape Show in 28/29 September 2022, Hall 3, NEC, Birmingham, and culminating at SOLEX, 10-12 July 2023. These free health checks will help contribute towards helping those who work in our industry stay healthy and safe. We are excited to be working with Perennial on this important initiative and we look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on those who work in horticulture.
Founded in 1839, Perennial is the UK’s only charity dedicated to helping everyone who works in horticulture, including gardeners, groundskeepers, nursery and garden centre staff, landscapers, and arborists. Over the years, Perennial has helped countless people through difficult times, providing financial assistance and free advice on a wide range of issues. Today, Perennial is more important than ever, as the economic downturn has put immense financial pressure on those working in horticulture. In addition, social pressures can be equally challenging, as horticulture professionals are often low-paid and have to contend with physically demanding work. As a result, Perennial provides a much-needed lifeline for many people working in horticulture. Every year, the charity helps over 1,600 people with advice and financial assistance, and it will continue to support the horticulture community for many years to come.
LOFA is excited to be partnering with Perennial on this important campaign, it is just one of the ways that LOFA shows its commitment to helping those who work within the industry as a whole.
Thrive, the charity that helps people with their mental and physical health through gardening has teamed up with the Leisure & Outdoor Furniture Association, (LOFA) to help more people access their life-changing gardening sessions.
Through a process called Social Therapeutic Horticulture, (STH) Thrive have proven that gardening can have a profound impact on physical and mental well-being. LOFA are committed to supporting their work by donating £5,000 each year. By working together, we can help more people living with disabilities, ill health, isolation, or disadvantage to enjoy the many benefits of gardening.
Thrive has three regional centres in Reading, London, and Birmingham, as well as outreach programmes in schools, hostels, hospitals, and care homes across the UK, they deliver social and therapeutic horticulture programmes that help people to improve their physical and mental health, communication and thinking skills. LOFA has made a commitment going forward to help charities that have a link to our industry as we, more than anyone knows the benefits of being outside in the garden. That is why we are committed to helping Thrive transform lives across the UK.
Thrive supports and works with a wide range of people... Those who have physical or learning disabilities; those requiring mental health support needs, such as anxiety attacks. The charity also reaches out to older adults affected by dementia-related problems including stroke survivors and diabetes sufferers among others - alongside young individuals struggling socially/emotionally or with behavioural difficulties.
This is an amazing opportunity for LOFA to help people in local communities and we are really looking forward to working with Thrive. Gardening can be so beneficial for people's mental health, and it is great that LOFA can play a part in this. If you would like to find out more about the work that Thrive do, please visit their website, or better still donate.
It's never to early to spread some Christmas magic and help Thrive & LOFA raise £12000 this festive season
THRIVE knows that gardening can bring positive change to people’s lives, and LOFA support their philosophy 100% so that is why they’ve pledged to help with Thrive’s first BIG GIVE CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE!
The BIG GIVE CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE is the UK’s biggest match funding campaign. For seven days this holiday season, donors will have their donations doubled if they support Thrive through The Big Give!
Below shows Thrive’s aims in this their first year of being a part of this fantastic opportunity.
HOW IT WORKS
LOFA have pledged £4000 to Thrive’s Pledge pot
The Big Give then find Champion Funders to, hopefully, match the LOFA pledge building a match pot of up to £6,000 for The Charity.
And this is where you come in! Starting on Giving Tuesday, 29 November – Tuesday 6 December, this pledge pot will be used to double all public donations made to Thrive through The Big Give website.
For one week only you can donate to this great cause and help LOFA and Thrive raise much-needed funds to continue to use gardening to help people living with disabilities or ill health, or who are isolated, disadvantaged or vulnerable
Overall, Thrive is aiming to raise £12,000 all through the superpower of gardening.
LOFA is excited to be helping Thrive who have proven that social and therapeutic horticulture can have a profound impact on physical and mental well-being.
Be Safe – Be Sure – Be LOFA Assured
The Leisure and Outdoor Furniture Association is made up of the best brands in the outdoor leisure industry and the products they supply are not only of the highest quality but also safe.
LOFA wanted to ensure that all the cushions sold by their furniture members complied with the most up-to-date safety standards so with this in mind they set up LOFA Assured, an initiative in partnership with Hertfordshire Trading Standards, that audits each LOFA member that sells cushioned furniture.
The audit requires the members to have full traceability on all cushions that they supply into the UK marketplace. Through extensive research LOFA has proven that 8 out of 10 samples on the shop floor or out in the marketplace are non-compliant with current UK regulations making the products unsafe.
Proof of unsafe and non-compliant products is often hard to come but this story proves that nonregulated cushions are still being brought into the country and sold to an unsuspecting public.
Hefty fine for Romford shop selling dangerous furniture
Published: Wednesday, 21 September 2022
A Romford-based furniture shop has received a £15,000 fine for selling unsafe chairs that did not meet fire safety requirements, following an investigation by Havering Council.
The owners of Rattan Garden Furniture Ltd appeared in Barkingside Magistrates' Court on Tuesday 6 September after Havering’s Trading Standards team received an anonymous complaint about two of their products – the ‘Atlanta’ and ‘Tokyo’ chairs.
Trading Standards conducted test purchases of two Atlanta chairs and sent them to a laboratory for fire safety tests. The results indicated that the fabric and foam used in the chairs were unsafe.
Subsequently, the council, supported by Essex Trading Standards, seized the ‘Atlanta’ and ‘Tokyo chairs from the company’s Essex warehouse.
A suspension notice for the ‘Tokyo’ and ‘Atlanta’ product lines were also issued to Rattan Garden Furniture Ltd to prevent the sale of these product lines.
Test reports for the seized chairs concluded that the fabric and foam used in the chairs were not compliant with the Fire Safety Standards for upholstered furniture (BS 5852) and therefore unsafe.
Rattan Furniture Company Ltd pleaded guilty to possessing goods that did not meet safety regulations, with the intention to sell to the public.
The company also pleaded guilty to contravening a suspension notice for continuing to advertise the Atlanta and Tokyo chairs for sale on its website after the suspension notice was issued.
The company received a fine of £15,000 for the offences. It was also ordered to pay costs in excess of £13,000.
Councillor Ray Morgon, Leader of Havering Council, said:
“In the wake of recent tragedies, it is vital that businesses follow strict fire safety rules for products to ensure their customers stay safe. There is no excuse for businesses to sell unsafe products.
“It’s sad that we had to take action against this company, but I’m pleased with this result, and hope it encourages other companies to ensure their products meet British safety standards.”
Mr. Brightman and Ms. Jane Rayment, the company’s Manager and Director respectively, both received an administrative caution for being in possession of goods for supply, that did not meet the requirements of the safety regulations, and contravening the suspension notice.
Don’t play cushion roulette – always buy from a LOFA member – always buy a LOFA Assured product. Don’t gamble with the safety of your loved ones.
The LOFA Assured Swing tag means that retailers and consumers can be safe in the knowledge that these cushions have been tested to the highest standards and comply with the same fire-retardant regulations as your indoor furniture.
