30th October 2007
GREEN MORTGAGE REVIEWS AT THE BIG GREEN HOME SHOW
Self build and renovation experts BuildStore are going the extra 'green' mile by planting trees with the Big Green Mortgage Scheme at this month’s Big Green Home Show.
The Show will be held at BuildStore’s National Self Build & Renovation Centre in Swindon, between Thursday 15th and Sunday 18th November. The Big Green Home Show will de-mystify 'green living' by examining the reality of living green, looking at all aspects of green homebuilding and eco-friendly lifestyles, with the help of the some Big Green Heroes in the shape of the BBC's Penney Poyzer, TV's friendliest builder, Tommy Walsh and the Big Green Giant himself, Dick Strawbridge.
Keen to match housebuilders and renovators enthusiasm for eco-friendly living, BuildStore has pledged to plant a tree for every customer who reviews their mortgage with BuildStore's Financial Services team at the Big Green Home Show, helping to lower the environmental impact of the carbon emissions.
In conjunction with Trees for Life, a conservation charity working to restore the Caledonian forest in the Scottish Highlands, BuildStore will plant one tree for each mortgage arranged at the Big Green Home Show. Not only that, but four of its lenders have also pledged their support. Intelligent Finance (IF), Amber Homeloans, Skipton Building Society and TMB have matched BuildStore's pledge and have also made a commitment to planting another tree for each of those mortgages upon completion.
The first green mortgages were introduced in 2001, but there are still only a few lenders who offer this type of mortgage. By helping to reduce the effects of carbon emissions in this way, BuildStore customer’s can still get the best mortgage rates to suit their needs, whilst also helping the environment. An average house emits over five tonnes of carbon each year, and by choosing a carbon conscious Buildstore mortgage, homeowners can actively help lower the impact this has, by helping to off-set 20% of emissions generated over a year by an average house with each tree planted.
John Hay, Head of Financial Services Product Development at BuildStore said: "More and more customers are aware of the impact their house and lifestyle has on the environment. However, when it comes to a mortgage they still want the best deal and most suitable product. By planting a tree for every mortgage review at the Show, we have turned all our mortgages 'green', meaning borrowers recieve the best of both worlds."
Brian Ewing, Head of Intermediary Sales at IF commented: “The Big Green Mortgage Scheme is a fantastic idea and we're delighted to play our part in raising awareness of green issues. With so many options for 'going green’, consumers are genuinely interested in 'doing their bit' for the good of the planet. Our tree planting pledge allows us to offer our customers the best deal, as always, but there is also an added sense of pride that they have helped to reduce their carbon footprint."
Trees for Life's Marketing and Development Manager, Kerrigan Bell, added: "We are thrilled to count BuildStore and its associates amongst our supporters. Being carbon conscious means recognising the impact our homes and lifestyles have on the environment, and doing something about it. We welcome BuildStore's efforts to offer their customers real green mortgage options. The trees we plant are protected, and will never be cut down. Over time they will absorb significant amounts of carbon, and will form part of a self-sustaining, bio-diverse forest for generations to come."
With a host of features and expert advice to help visitors choose how to live their own green lifestyle, including the latest products, design innovation and lifestyle tips, the Big Green Home Show will demonstrate that a green lifestyle isn't just about putting a giant compost heap in the back yard. As well as eco experts, visitors can hear from people who have built their own eco-homes, tour the Renovation House to discover how to renovate to improve energy efficiency, and check out the latest materials and products to help minimise carbon emissions and reduce energy consumption.
The Big Green Home Show runs from Thursday 15th to Sunday 18th November at the National Self Build & Renovation Centre in Swindon , just off Junction 16 of the M4. To register for tickets, which cost £8, or £12 per couple, with under 16s free, and for more information, log on to www.biggreenhomeshow.co.uk or call 01506 409 616.
Book by Friday 9th November to take advantage of a 2-for-1 ticket offer – see the website for details.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Reader offers are available for the Big Green Home Show – contact Jaclyn Thorburn for more information on 01506 409 466
1) BuildStore, the company behind the National Self Build & Renovation Centre, offers an end-to-end service to the self builder and people wanting to renovate or convert an existing property. To capture this rapidly growing market, The National Self Build and Renovation Centre was opened in February 2007.
The 67,000 sq ft Centre is on a different scale to anything seen before in the UK self build and renovation sector. It has a dual role of helping to educate people interested in self building and renovating and ensuring those actively building can find all the services and materials they need.
Visitors can learn about the different stages of the self build and renovation process from the "Education Zone”, which features six life-sized exhibits including, plant, groundworks, walls and roof structures. They can also find inspiration inside the Potton show home, and in the "Renovation Zone”, discover techniques for renovating, with a full-sized house transformed from an ‘old wreck' to a fully renovated home.
For visitors just starting their self build or renovation journey, the National Self Build & Renovation Centre can help them find a plot of land, renovation or conversion opportunities, with PlotSearch, consider finance options for their project with the in-house financial advisors, or simply get advice from the team of experts. Those actively involved in the process can take advantage of TradeCard, a unique card which offers discounted prices building materials and tool hire from leading merchants and suppliers. Plus, over 240 industry suppliers showcase their products and services in a dedicated "Trade Village”, complete with a bar code system, allowing visitors to easily order brochures and further information, which will be sent to them at home.
2) Trees for Life is a pioneering charity in ecological restoration, working in partnership with the Forestry Commission Scotland, the RSPB, and private landowners. It aims to restore the Caledonian Forest to an area of 1,500 square kilometres in the Highlands west of Inverness. Today only 1% of the original Caledonian Forest remains. For more information on Trees for Life's work and the Caledonian Forest visit: www.treesforlife.org.uk
For more information, please contact:
Jaclyn Thorburn
PR & Communications Manager
BuildStore Ltd
Direct Dial: 01506 409 466
Mobile: 07809 583 116
Email: jaclyn.thorburn@buildstore.co.uk
