Summer’s hottest buys

As we celebrate National Barbecue Week B&Q has issued tips that include using a Blooma Charcoal Starter.

The ventilation holes help to reduce the time it takes for the coals to heat up and be ready for cooking. But it’s sales of garden furniture and accessories that are booming.

Argos has seen 154 per cent more hot-tubs sold this year and online searches for garden chairs are up 60 per cent on last year. Gazebos, awnings and marquees are much sought after.

Social media “garden boasting” is also expected to push up sales of fairy lights and lanterns for trees as glow-in-thedark gardens become a must-have.

For this summer, Wyevale Garden Centres have a new range of colourful outdoor rugs and cushions that are rain resistant.

Its head of garden furniture Caroline Mann advises: “Outdoor furniture doesn’t have to dominate your space. A smaller two or three-piece set is easy to store and perfect for those with limited outdoor spaces.”

And if your garden furniture needs updating but you don’t want to buy more you can easily spruce up tables and chairs with Rust-Oleum’s Chalky Finish Garden Paint, which can be applied directly to wood without the need for a primer or even sanding.

It also works for metal and plastic tables and chairs but these will need a coat of primer first. Water-resistant, it’s available from DIY stores in eight shades and designed to be maintenance-free for up to six years.