Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

It’s been great for the kids hasn’t it (maybe not so great for all small businesses and some Mothers and Fathers) but great for kids.  It also looks very angelic where I live, although the little grass hill at the bottom of my road looks like it may never recover from all the frantic sledging! 

Here in the South East we have seen more snow fall than ever seen before during the past 20 years.  In fact those under 20 have been left pretty amazed and I think that’s why every two yards I see a snow man being built by a group of excited 19 year olds.  I also think that alot of motorists have never experienced such driving conditions so I have linked this blog to the Top Gear advice page (some tongue in cheek and some serious advice - so check it out).

And of course, when you get the chance do go out and buy a Gallery Fireplace and Fire because it really makes the house the best place to be when you get snowed in (I just had to get that in)!

The January edition of Country Homes & Interiors is on the shelf and packed full of interior inspiration and things to do in January, such as winter walks, family theatre and fantastic new year retreats.  Also included is advice on choosing the style of Fireplace for the home, on page 60 is the Gallery Pembroke with a large solid fuel burning area.

Reports by the British Retail Consortium show a pretty bleak profit for the average high street retailer this Christmas, whilst reports on internet sellers actually show growth!

It is tempting for all of us (during this credit crunch) to push for more discount and to look for the cheapest buying option.  However, buying a Fireplace or Stoves is not generally a simple purchase, although it is easy to find internet shops that will sell them to you must be aware that advice about the product before you purchase is vital.  You need to know that the Fireplace/ Fires/Stoves is suitable for your property (believe me it is a lot more complicated than you probably realise) and advice, fitting and good aftercare service is essential throughout your purchase. If you want to ensure peace of mind and good aftercare you should purchase your products through the Independent Fireplace Retailer.  In addition you will be showing support for your local business during a difficult time for them!

The National Fireplace Assosiation recently released this article:

Many internet retailers fail to point out to their purchasers that the installation of their new wood-burning stove is governed by the Building Regulations. To paraphrase Approved Document J of the Building Regulations 2002, purchasers of solid fuel stoves (those burning wood fuels or coal based fuels) must either apply to their local authority building inspectorate for a Building Notice or use a registered member of a ‘Competent Persons’ scheme for solid fuels. The only competent persons scheme for solid fuel is run by HETAS, a not-for-profit company which approves solid fuel appliances and fuels as well as operating this ‘Competent Person’s’ scheme in England and Wales. The HETAS’ web site as at www.hetas.co.uk.

With little or no information received by purchasers from internet stove sellers, many try to install these stoves themselves unaware of the Building Regulation requirements or the possible danger of fire or carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning if these products are not installed properly. The National Fireplace Association, which is the trade body for the wider fireplace industry (fires, fireplaces and stoves powered by all types of fuel), would like to see each stove accompanied by a sheet spelling out the purchaser’s duty to have the stove installed safely in line with both the Building Regulations and the manufacturer’s instructions.

You still cant miss the doom and gloom reports everyday about fuel and energy prices as we head in to winter , and its not what we want to hear along side the credit crunch.

Recently here at Gallery we have seen a huge increase in the sale of wood burning stoves, infact the fireplace & stove industry in general is struggling to manufacture enough to meet the customer demand of wanting a stove fitted before christmas.  Luckily the Gallery range of Tiger and Firefox stoves can be supplied before chritmas so for a brochure and name of your local retailer simply complete the brochure request for a Pink Stoves & Firebaskets brochure and ask for details or your nearest dealer.

To see the smallest of the Firefox stove family - the Firefox 5  burning wood live in a room setting you can look out for it appearing on T.V in an advertisement shown on Living T.V 2, UK TV Style, and UK TV Gardens.

Not only are we bombared with issues of rising fuel costs but we are all feeling the pressure to go green,  and we have just the thing to ease your consious - enironmentally freindly Gallery Briquettes.  These are pellets are manufactured using waste sawdust from our local timber merchants, to purchase a bag or two visit your local Gallery retailer.