Pro Installer December 2016 - Issue 45 | Page 2

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PRO NEWS

DECEMBER 2016 PRO INSTALLER
www . proinstaller . co . uk
ISSUE 45 December 2016
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Continued from the front page
It is believed that the first thing to change will be the layout . Homebase ’ s half-hardware , half-department store look will be gone and replaced by a very basic ‘ warehouse chic .’ Next you can expect earlier opening hours as the brand targets tradesmen as much as the average DIY-er . Australia has no equivalent of Wickes – where you might expect to find more professionals than amateurs in the checkout queue – with Bunnings instead catering for all skill ranges . If Bunnings can replicate its formula in the UK , you ’ ll also find more choice . An average Bunnings is huge and sells just about everything you could ever imagine needing for your home or building job . It helps that it ’ s good value – you know that you won ’ t be able to buy whatever it is you ’ re looking for cheaper anywhere else . For families , play areas for kids are also a big help . But the key to it all is the staff who are plentiful and helpful , with many being former tradespeople themselves .
bheta . co . uk

Off-site construction fights ‘ novelty ’ tag

Off-site construction can play a major role in the coming years across a range of sectors , including housing , hotels and major retailers .
The potential was discussed at ‘ Explore Offsite Futures ,’ a one-day conference and exhibition organised by Explore Offsite at the NEC , Birmingham .
The event was a platform for construction clients and their professional advisers to network with industry experts and discuss the latest off-site construction solutions .
‘ only 63 per cent of site-based developments completed on time ’
Explore Offsite says the need for faster , leaner and smarter construction is becoming more apparent in the UK . With only 63 per cent of site-based developments completed on time and an even lower 49 per cent delivered on budget , it is clear that traditional construction methods are failing to meet the major challenges facing the built environment today . The off-site construction industry is still facing significant challenges in order to be considered conventional instead of a ‘ novelty .’ Explore Offsite Futures demonstrated how to tackle industry challenges through a range of project case studies , innovative architecture and building design , IT and software development , as well as exploring what the future of manufacturing may look like with presentations from the UK ’ s leading offsite manufacturers . Speakers at the event on November 24 included Tom Bloxham , MBE , from Urban Splash , Sam Stacey from Skanska , Ken Davie from Carillion Building , Tim Houghton from Heathrow Airport , and Andy Sneyd , Portakabin .
www . exploreoffsite . co . uk

Gloucestershire glazier jailed for tax fraud

The former owner of a Gloucestershire double glazing business who evaded more than £ 165,000 in VAT and Income Tax has been jailed for 18 months . An investigation by HM Revenue and Customs ( HMRC ) revealed that for seven years John Choppin , 39 , failed to register for or pay VAT , evading £ 87,191 . He lied on Self Assessment returns to wipe out any Income
Tax or National Insurance liability , when he should have paid £ 49,680 to HMRC . He also failed to complete his tax returns for the 2011 to 2014 tax years , leaving a debt of £ 28,721 . Colin Spinks , assistant director , Fraud Investigation Service , HMRC , said : “ John Choppin evaded payment of Income Tax and VAT through a combination of lies and the blatant disregard of UK tax law . It is simply
not acceptable to steal from the tax system and , ultimately , honest UK taxpayers and business competitors . “ HMRC will continue to pursue those criminals who attack the tax system and we ask anyone with information about suspected VAT and Income Tax fraud to contact our 24-hour hotline on 0800 59 5000 .” On 30th September at Gloucester Crown Court John Choppin pleaded
guilty to the fraudulent evasion of VAT and three counts of Income Tax fraud . He was jailed for 18 months at the same court on 3rd November 2016 .
Anyone with information about people or businesses possibly involved in VAT or Income Tax fraud can contact 0800 59 5000 or online at https :// www . gov . uk / report-vat-fraud