January 04, 2011

Good news travels well: Tesco Compare is delighted to announce that it has teamed up with theidol.com, giving customers a fresh proposition and providers to find travel insurance deals.

The provider has already enjoyed a working relationship with Tesco Compare since 2009, delivering the life insurance comparison service. For those wanting to ‘get away from it all’ in the New Year, there will be the chance to search for different travel insurance quotes with the aim of saving money.

Peter Burgess, theidol.com’s Marketing Director, says: “We are more than happy to be working with Tesco Compare on a wider level, having already enjoyed a successful relationship for nearly three years. Our business recognises the comparison site as being part of a big brand. We believe we can offer new opportunities for those searching for competitive premiums.”

Search leading travel insurance brands…

Under the new provider, customers will be able to search over 20 travel insurers – many of which are leading brands. Theidol.com believes it can offer customers one of the most advanced travel insurance quote services available on the market today.

Vikki Macleod, Tesco Compare’s Commercial Director, said: “We are committed to ensuring customers have innovative ways to compare products. Working closer with theidol.com, this time for travel insurance, will demonstrate our dedication to giving customers a new choice. The provider is recognised in the industry and we look forward to working with them more comprehensively.”

The comparison service also allows customers to adjust the cover value for individual features in the quote results using a handy slide function – including, for example, aspects such as baggage cover, cancellation and curtailment, medical expenses and airline insolvency (scheduled airline failure).

A wide range of travel insurance cover to compare…

Through the provider, Tesco Compare can introduce customers to travel insurance for many areas, including personal and family cover, senior citizens, backpackers, business travellers, cruises, pre-existing medical conditions, winter sports activities and cover for people up to age 99.

Vikki Macleod summed up by saying: “Ultimately the new comparison service will help customers search for value for money travel insurance. The development marks an exciting new chapter for Tesco Compare to work closer with its partners. In turn, customers can search across a new choice of products to find a deal suited to their needs.”

Want to get away this winter? Why not search for cover via http://www.tescocompare.com/travel-insurance.shtml

– ENDS –

For media enquiries please contact:

Andy Moore, 0131-203-5515, or andy.moore@tescobank.com

Notes to editors:

Tesco Personal Finance Compare Limited (trading as Tesco Compare) is part of the Tesco Personal Finance Group Limited, the financial services arm of the UK’s number one supermarket chain, which is fully owned by the Tesco Group. Tesco Personal Finance Compare Limited, registered in Scotland No.318925. Interpoint Building, 22 Haymarket Yards, Edinburgh EH12 5BH. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

The Financial Services Authority does not regulate loans, credit cards, telecoms or utilities.

Tesco Compare

• Tesco Compare is a comparison site, based in the UK. Since our launch in 2007, our business activities have extended to facilitate the introduction of a wide range of comparison services.
• Our own principal comparison services are for car and home insurance to which we compare over 60 and 20 providers respectively.
• Products compared by third party suppliers include: Money (credit cards, loans, mortgages, current accounts and savings accounts). Insurance (business, life, van, motorbike, travel and health). Utilities (broadband, mobile broadband, home phone, digital TV and gas & electricity). We also provide customers with links to pet and breakdown insurance providers.
• Our aim is to introduce customers to fair prices and deals from a range of leading brands.
• We believe that comparison sites should be about more than just the lowest price so our comprehensive comparison service helps you search and compare a wide range of products and providers by feature as well as price.

The online garden experts from Love the Garden are delighted to announce the fourth and final vegetable garden competition of 2011 to make sure vegetables won’t be forgotten this December: the Christmas Carrot Competition! The independent guest judge, Niamh Shields from Eat Like a Girl, will be looking for culinary creativity with carrots. The author of the best recipe will receive a £200 restaurant voucher to a UK restaurant of their choice. Three runners up will receive a copy of Niamh Shields’ cookbook Comfort & Spice.

Entering the competition is easy. All bloggers need to do is:

• Share a carrot recipe on their own blog;
• Mention the competition in the post;
• Tell Lovethegarden by emailing the URL of their entry before 21^st December 2011.

The orange root vegetable is a prominent part of traditional Christmas meals, but recipes don’t have to be Christmas themed. Recipes for soups, salads, stir-fries and even cakes with this versatile vegetable are welcomed too.

Lovethegarden launched their first competition to find the best recipes for garden vegetables in February 2011, which encouraged bloggers to be creative with cabbage. The winner was Karolina with her Cabbage & Mushroom Pasties. In August, David Hall won the Potty for Potatoes competition with his Hot potato, bacon and nasturtium salad and the winner of the Taste for Tomatoes competition was Nic from Cherrapeno with her Summer Tomato Tart with Chilli Cheese Pastry. The carrot competition will be the last one for 2011, but in 2012, Lovethegarden will continue to encourage everyone in the UK to eat their five-a-day.

The deadline is 11.59pm (UK time) on 21th December 2011. For more information, please visit the vegetable garden competition page.

-ENDS-

Notes to editors:

LovetheGarden ®, ™ and Miracle-Gro, Plus, Scotts and Pour & Feed are trade marks of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company LLC or its affiliates.

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, Salisbury House, Catteshall Lane, Godalming, Surrey GU7 1XE

For more information please contact Brittany LaGambina, Brittany.LaGambina@arena-media.co.uk

Domino’s Pizza, the pizza delivery expert, has been awarded e-learning programme of the year 2011 by the Training Journal (TJ).

The TJ awards are viewed as the most prestigious in the learning and development industry and recognise companies who provide effective and efficient training for their employees.

From left to right, Domino’s HR director, Jane Franks, and HR consultant, Debi Bond receiving the TJ award from Sue Parr, Head of Product and Solutions at the Open University.

Beating off stiff competition from the likes of the BBC, Aviva and HSBC, Domino’s was presented the e-learning award for its D Tube programme. D Tube forms a key part of Domino’s blended training approach for store managers. The new programme has been developed specifically to help managers improve their HR knowledge of discipline and grievance, and includes a series of videos to highlight and test managers on various in-store scenarios.

Jane Franks, HR director at Domino’s, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have won an award for D Tube. D Tube provides an innovative and engaging way to train our store managers, which adheres strongly to the overall culture of our business. Having only launched D Tube earlier this year, to have already had the programme recognised by TJ is a fantastic achievement. We look forward to developing D Tube even further to continue to support and train our managers.”

For more details on Domino’s Pizza, log on to www.dominos.co.uk.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors:
Domino’s Pizza UK & IRL plc is the leading player in the fast-growing pizza delivery market and holds the exclusive master franchise to own, operate and franchise Domino’s Pizza stores in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. The first UK store opened in Luton in 1985 and the first Irish store opened in 1991. In April 2011, the Group acquired a majority stake in the exclusive master franchise to own, operate and franchise Domino’s Pizza stores in Germany.

As at 25 September 2011, there were 702 stores in the UK, Republic of Ireland and Germany. Of these, 553 stores are in England, 47 are in Scotland, 28 are in Wales, 19 are in Northern Ireland, one is on the Isle of Man, one is a mobile unit, 49 are in the Republic of Ireland and four are in Germany.

Founded in 1960, Domino’s Pizza is one of the world’s leading pizza delivery brands. Through its primarily franchised system, Domino’s Pizza operates a global network of more than 9,350 Domino’s Pizza stores in 70 international markets. Domino’s Pizza has a singular focus – the home delivery of pizza, freshly made to order with high quality ingredients.

Customers in the UK can order online at www.dominos.co.uk and customers in the Republic of Ireland can order online at www.dominos.ie. In addition, mobile customers can order by downloading Domino’s free iPhone, iPad and Android apps.

For more information, please contact:
The Domino’s Pizza Press Office
Domino’s Pizza Group Ltd
Tel: 01908 580654
E: pr@dominos.co.uk

Ref: DPGL/CM/561

The latest prize winner on the UK Prize site is Tracey Atakora, who won two tickets to see Keri Hilson. Not only did she win the tickets but she also won spending money for her trip and a night’s stay in a hotel too. Tracey commented, “I was delighted to hear I won two tickets to see Keri Hilson, the spending money and hotel were a real bonus!”

This comes after September saw a long line of prize winners, such as Sam Bradwell who won tickets to see Michael Forever, “I couldn’t quite believe it when I received the phone call to let me know I’d won. It was such a nice surprise as I’d forgotten that I’d even entered! The tickets and cheque came in the post the next day and I had a blast at the Michael Forever concert the following weekend. Thank you UK Prize!”

The summer also saw a line of winners who won £1000 cash, a Beatles trip, Alton Towers tickets, Canon Digital camera, Derren Brown tickets and £1000 towards your wedding.

UK Prize intends to continue the long list of prize winners by opening up new sections of its website which contain exciting and free competitions to enter.

The latest competition prizes available include £5000 towards you and your charity, holiday competitions including a New York Break and your chance to win a VW campervan.

With many luxuries harder to come by lately, especially music tickets which sell out very quickly, many UK Prize competition entrants improve their chances by applying for the prize and asking friends to apply too. This guarantees a greater chance to win front row tickets to see some of the most popular bands or musical artists in the world. UK Prize obtain some of the best tickets and seats in the house to ensure your prize is a first class experience.

Entering the competitions is a simple process. UK Prize ensure that it doesn’t take longer than a couple of minutes to enter your details and submit your response. As entry to the competitions is free, this makes UK Prize one of the leading competition websites on the internet, with one of the widest range of prizes on offer.

Contact: Scott Pittman
Website: http://www.ukprize.co.uk
Email: scottart@upsearch.co.uk
Phone: 0161 236 7161

Every football fan has one; a fantasy football team made up of eleven of the greatest players that, in your opinion, could win titles beyond even the most ambitions manager’s wildest dreams. For those of you who love to talk Football, you can now share your favourites with leading football boots retailer SportsDirect.com simply by logging on to Facebook!

The SportsDirect.com team have opened up their discussion forum for those who want to create their ultimate team. Dead or alive, you can choose eleven players who you think display impeccable skills, are a key team player or even sport an iconic hairstyle. However you choose them, tell the world with World XI.

Recently David Hall, the editor of Four Four Two magazine told SportsDirect.com exactly which eleven he would have out on the pitch if he ever had the chance and why; the list was filled with legendary names such Booby Moore, who ‘could read the game so well, he could go entire matches without getting mud on his kit’ Sir Bobby Charlton who ‘transcended the game’, Diego Maradona who was ‘virtually impossibly to knock off the ball’ and Zinedine Zidane, or in Hall’s words ‘a thing of beauty- he was a ball playing ballerina’.

An impressive line up if ever there was one, and that’s only the beginning. If you think you can better this  spectacular line up, join the discussion today at www.facebook.com/SportsDirectUK and get your World XI featured on the official Facebook Page.

Saving a few pounds here and there in the current economic climate is necessary for everyone!  And one simple advice page on the http://ransomspares.co.uk website has saved its customers many thousands of pounds.  And to voice their appreciation over two hundred of them have posted ‘thank you’ comments on their oven repairs help page.

Emma Wrote 22 Jun 11

“So glad I found this website! Easy ordering, and video instructions were very helpful. Element arrived quickly and even a girlie like me could fit it despite having to take the back plate off my oven. You have undoubtedly save me a small fortune and I will recommend your site to others. Thank you.!”

Frank wrote 17 may 11

“Thank you for some expert advice element replaced in 35 mins [there was a small split in it] including travel to get it saved about a £100 great web site thanks again”

The problem that Emma and Frank had was probably the most common oven faults that occur; their oven was no longer heating up.

Managing Director of Ransoms, Lee Gilbert, said; “To fix the problem it is normally just a simple case of replacing the faulty oven element.  Oven repair companies can be quite expensive and our help guide on how to fit a new oven element has become so popular that we wanted to find out exactly how much money our customers were saving by DIY repairing it themselves.”

He went on “We contacted 5 appliance repair companies to get an idea what the going rate was.  We asked them what they would charge to fix our oven which had stopped heating up.  The quotes we got back were anywhere between £75 to £160, including parts and labour, to complete the job – which averaged out at £115”
“So if the two hundred customers who have posted a comment to thank us on our advice page had employed the services of a professional oven repair company they would have spent over £23,000 between them.   Instead they spent just £3,000 on buying the replacement elements from us.  Which is incredible – 1000’s more who didn’t comment have also saved lots money thanks to our help!”

“To replace an oven is no longer heating up is really very simple.  We have a short video on our site giving instructions on exactly how to replace an oven element and we also sell the part needed to complete the repair for as little as £9.95!”

http://RansomSpares.co.uk are continually growing their DIY repair guides so you can look forward to saving even more money in the future.

Contact Ransom Spares- 0844 9800 717 (Mon- Fir 9am – 5pm) [+44 1935 411 247 from Outside UK]
Press Office, Ransom Spares, Unit 3, Flushing Meadow, Yeovil, Somerset, BA 21 5DL

Fax: 01935 410 317 – OR – click here – http://www.ransomspares.co.uk/contact/enquiry.htm

Top British chefs, including Marcus Wareing, Gary Rhodes and Tom Aikens, have donated their favourite egg recipes to show their support for the British egg industry as it approaches an important deadline.

The chefs are joining forces to celebrate this versatile ingredient during British Egg Week (10-16 October) and to call on the public to ‘look for the Lion’ in light of a threat of a flood of illegal imports next year, when battery cages will be banned across the EU.

Marcus Wareing’s custard tart will be rubbing shoulders with Paul Merrett’s North African frittata and Atul Kochhar’s fennel bread and butter pudding, as well as many other chefs’ recipes, on a new website www.britisheggweek.com.

Research* shows that nearly two-thirds of UK consumers would rather shop elsewhere than buy eggs that aren’t British – and at the end of this year shoppers will have even more reasons to look for the Lion mark on their eggs. Not only are British Lion eggs among the safest in the world, but the UK is also leading the way on animal welfare.

Britain already has the largest commercial free range flock in the world and is now ahead of many countries in implementing a ban on battery cages.

On 1 January 2012 conventional battery cages will be banned across the EU, to be replaced by larger enriched ‘colony’ cages which not only give the hens more space and height but also provide a nest, perching space and a scratching area. Most British Lion cage eggs already come from the new system and all will do so by 1 January.

However, industry experts estimate that many producers in other EU countries will not meet the deadline, meaning that more than one-third of caged hens – more than 80 million birds – across the EU will still be in battery cages when the deadline passes, leading to the risk of cheap imported ‘illegal’ eggs going on sale in the UK next year.

The new British Egg Week site will not only feature recipes by celebrity chefs, but offer ways to make it easier for shoppers to know they’re buying British Lion eggs that comply with this new law and are safe to eat.

Research shows that the public expect eggs bought in UK shops to be British, with 74 per cent of people saying they felt this was a given, and 70 per cent expect eggs served in UK restaurants, hotels and cafes also to be British rather than imported.

*OnePoll survey of 2,000 adults, June 2011

For further details contact the British Egg Information Service:
Sara Emanuelson
sara@britegg.co.uk
0207 052 8899

Oil distribution industry trade association, FPS – Federation of Petroleum Suppliers is urging homeowners and businesses that use oil for heating to get themselves prepared for the winter and not be caught out by the bad weather that was experienced by many last year.

Now is the time when householders and businesses should be starting to think about what their needs are going to be for the winter and should be prepared. Last year many left filling up to the last minute and were caught out by the bad weather in November and December. Filling up your tank now is a good idea, especially as the price of oil is lower and demand is not as high. The increased demand during the winter months and especially in the run-up to Christmas, usually means delivery delays so the FPS is urging people to make sure they don’t get caught out by leaving it too late.

Chief Executive of the FPS, Mark Askew comments: “Our members understand that times are hard and people may want to wait before ordering fuel but many oil distributors run payment schemes to encourage customers to have bigger, less frequent deliveries but then spread the payments out over the whole year, helping both financially and ensuring homeowners don’t run out of fuel when winter hits.”

The message being promoted by the FPS to buy oil early is being backed by Government Ministers and key consumer groups.
Commenting on the initiative, Energy Minister Charles Hendry said: “I welcome this campaign by consumer groups and industry to encourage heating oil consumers to stock up early this winter.”

“The early snow last December shows that it is better to stock up before the winter, when suppliers have spare delivery capacity and prices are likely to be lower than when demand is higher.

Clearly, leaving orders to the last minute risks longer delivery times, especially if cold weather increases demand and disrupts transport making deliveries difficult.”

Mark Askew adds: “Our members remind customers that they should order early, but people have got into a pattern of ordering the minimum quantity. Customers last year had a trend of ordering 500 litres and then ran out in the middle of the worst snow, when tanker drivers just couldn’t get to them. We are trying to educate people to think ahead and be prepared.

In winter, the UK can also experience shortages of heating oil at terminals. Demand is obviously governed by the weather and a prolonged cold snap, such as was experienced last winter, means that the terminals are unable to provide product quickly enough and consumers can run out whilst waiting for deliveries as distributors have to go further afield to get supplies.”
ENDS
Media enquiries to Stephanie Freeman – FM Marketing on 01270 883782 or 07961 149399 or email stephanie@fmmarketingpr.com

EDITORS NOTE
This press release is part of a coordinated campaign by consumer groups and industry to encourage heating oil consumers to stock up early on winter supplies when prices tend to be less and suppliers have spare delivery capacity. Leaving orders to the last minute during the winter risks longer delivery times and higher prices.

About FPS
FPS (Federation of Petroleum Suppliers) represents the majority of oil distribution companies in Great Britain, who are, in the main, small family businesses responsible for deliveries of almost all the home heating oil used in Great Britain, in addition to marine, agricultural, commercial, industrial and forecourt deliveries. There are currently over 180 members of the FPS across the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.

The Victorian Spa Heritage experience offers a glimpse into the rich Victorian history of Llandrindod Wells and combined with activities in the beauty of Mid Wales will provide an unforgettable short break holiday for all ages. Enjoy the splendour of the Hall at Abbey-Cwm-Hir, the comfort of Highland Moors Guest House and exquisite dining at Jules restaurant and much more.

Llandrindod owes its fame entirely to the mineral springs which came to public notice as far back as 1670, and in 1755 Dr. Linden, a well-known scientist wrote ’I have not met with any kind that can surpass these waters’.

Highland Moors is now the last remaining Hydro Spa Hotel in Wales purpose built on 6 acres with six springs by Thomas Heighway around 1900 who has previously founded many springs in the Rock Park. Highland Moors has been a hotel, a military hospital, a sanitorium school, a convent, a foster home and now a guest house great for a short break.

There are 13 spacious rooms, including huge family rooms and elegant bay rooms with luxury walk-in shower ensuites. All rooms have TVs, hospitality trays, and comfy chairs. The guest lounge offers evening comfort with sofas, real log fire, pool table books and games. There is secure off-road parking and lockup. Families and children needs are catered for and are very welcome. Wifi and broadband is available free.

The package includes a visit to the fascinating National Cycle Museum once the Automobile Palace and the lovely Radnorshire Museum located in the centre of Llandrindod Wells. You can visit the Rock Park originally the Rock House Estate where up to 30 springs were found, the lake, the railway line which opened in 1865, the Grand Pavilion and the famous Thomas Shop, Penybont first built in 1730’s. Also included is a trip to the unique Red Kite centre – Gigrin Farm which attracts hundreds of kites each afternoon. Why not visit the stunning Elan Valley while you are there. Visit our website for a suggested itinerary or a list of many other exciting activities you could consider.

Within a setting of breathtaking beauty, history and romance, the Hall and its 12 acres overlook St.Mary’s Church and the ruins of the 12th century Cisterian “Abbey of the Long Valley” containing the monk’s and the grave of Llewellyn the Last. The Hall at Abbey-Cwm-Hir is Grade II listed as one of Wales finest examples of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture. Built in 1834 by Thomas Wilson the great Victorian improver it was bought by Paul &Victoria Humperston who have spent 10 years restoring it to a building of Gothic Victorian splendor. Their achievements have been widely acclaimed throughout Wales. Tours of all 52 rooms of the house and access to all 12 acres of landscaped gardens are available daily throughout the year and focus on history and architecture, interior design, collections and gardens and grounds.

Scotland’s leading manufacturer and supplier of UPVC windows, doors and conservatories, CR Smith, have taken delivery of 23 Citroen C5 Tourers for the sales team, joining CR Smiths 150 strong vehicle fleet.

CR Smith’s Fleet Manager, Ian Darroch, comments; “We selected the Citroen C5 Tourers to meet the demanding operational requirements of our sales force. They need a car with a boot big enough to carry large samples of the window and conservatory sections we manufacture and install, while as a business we demand low whole-life costs. The C5 Tourer meets all of these requirements having the interior space of a large vehicle combined with low running costs, with up to 64mpg.”

CR Smith has chosen the Citroen C5 VTR+ NAV HDi 110 manual, which includes MyWay colour satellite navigation, supplied by Citroen dealer Arnold Clark in Armadale.