(29-30 June, Sandown Park, Surrey, www.homebuildingshow.co.uk/surrey)
The South has seen a rise in the creation of games rooms, as pub closures continue to increase following the enforcement of the smoking ban. As a result, the market is seeing a growing demand for home entertainment spaces, smart technology and recreational experiences. For those who wish to delve into the domain of at-home recreation, the Southern Homebuilding & Renovating Show, sponsored by Idealcombi, the Danish contemporary window company, and Self-Build Zone, specialist supplier of site insurance packages and structural warranties, is returning to Surrey between 29-30 June at Sandown Park, with practical advice, products and services to help homeowners get closer to achieving the fun follies they desire.
Gary Drage, managing director of SAM Leisure, says: ‘Within the Southern region, games rooms are an understood concept that people want. More than 60 per cent of our sales go to homes within this area. The South of the UK is where the average spend tends to be high, which may be attributed to the fact that, in this region, people are more willing to invest in their homes, properties tend to be bigger, as do budgets.’
Sian Astley, interior and renovation expert, adds: ‘The relentless rise of social media and cultural influences means displaying how well you are doing is becoming the norm for many people. A little like the flashy 80’s, outward and bought displays of wealth are on the up, with homeowners showing off their properties and interiors in their feeds. In the Victorian era, affluence was commonly displayed through the construction of ‘follies’ – garden pavilions built purely for extravagance.
‘Modern day follies include large garden rooms outside but inside is getting the splash the cash treatment too. More and more homeowners are specifying innovative entertainment and media rooms within the home to have fun, glamorous and technologically advanced spaces for friends and family to get together.’
Providing a wealth of industry knowledge from more than 220 exhibitors and 20 plus free daily seminars and masterclasses, the Southern Homebuilding & Renovating Show is an informative showcase of innovative products and services by specialist companies from a range of industries including kitchens; bathrooms; doors and windows; extensions and conversions; eco and heating; architecture; design; financial services; planning permissions, and many more.
The Advice Centre, is a drop-in clinic for tailored, impartial guidance, and is open to people who wish to share their project ideas with industry-leading specialists with extensive experience across all self-build and renovating sectors. The Ask the Builder area is set to be a show highlight again this year, where members of the Federation of Master Builders will offer advice on hiring accredited, highly skilled construction workers.
For hands-on knowledge on all phases of the design, building and construction process and guidance on taking plans from start to finish, visitors are encouraged to stop by the Ask the Architect area, located within The Advice Centre, where chartered specialists from RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) will provide personalised advice through one-on-one sessions.
The Advice Centre will also offer visitors the chance to refine their ideas, plans and projects via free 15-minute consultations with the UK’s leading property experts at the Ask the Expert zone. Specialists available to confer on all aspects of homebuilding and renovation include property experts Michael Holmes and Jason Orme; self-build expert Allan Corfield; finance expert Tom McSherry; eco expert David Hilton; building expert Bob Branscombe and planning expert Sally Tagg.
For visitors whose projects are in the initial stages, Anthony Mullan Furniture will be offering visitors a chance to meet with its talented designers to discuss their building plans for kitchens, bathrooms and home offices; with the added option of scheduling a more in-depth complimentary consultation at its showroom.
For those seeking inspiration on making their dream kitchen a reality, Wood Living will be offering personal consultations with members of its specialist design team, with a 10 per cent discount to all guests who place an order following a consultation.
Taking care of everything from build to budget, Easy Bathrooms’ team of bathroom specialists have the expertise to assist attendees in planning and designing their bathroom projects from start to finish. Attendees who are interested in these sessions can pre-book their entry in advance via the event website.
One Day tickets are £8 in advance or £12 on the door (children under 16 go free.) For further information visit www.homebuildingshow.co.uk/surrey or call the ticket hotline on 0871 230 1086 (calls cost 13p per minute plus network extras). A £1.50 transaction fee applies.