Author: Scott Togher

News

Nifty at Fifty: ScotHot Makes Triumphant Return for Milestone Event

Post author By Scott Togher
Post date March 17, 2023

ScotHot, Scotland’s leading showcase for food, drink, hospitality, retail, and tourism, took place at Glasgow’s SEC on the 8^th and 9th March marking the event’s milestone 50^th anniversary.

The bi-annual event returned following a four-year hiatus due to the pandemic and featured the latest and greatest products and services for hoteliers, restaurateurs, and other hospitality industry professionals. From furniture and fixtures to food and beverage companies, there was something new and exciting around every corner. There were also plenty of opportunities to mingle with industry professionals and learn more about the latest trends.

The event was particularly useful for those looking to get their hands on some of the latest innovations in hospitality. Fresh from their appearance on ITV were GW Group, who brought along a fleet of futuristic robots which moved around the venue serving food and drinks to visitors.

Hospitality is an industry that is constantly evolving. Every year, new trends and technologies emerge that have the potential to change the way we design and operate our hotels, restaurants, and resorts.

One of the most exciting areas of innovation in recent years has been in biophilic design which is the integration of plants and other natural elements into the built environment. This trend is gaining traction in the hospitality industry as more and more research is being conducted on the effect of biophilic design in terms of human health and well-being.

We had our own stand in the exhibition hall where we were able to showcase the advantages of biophilic design, as well as kitting out the Spotlight Stage and VIP area with our award-winning plant displays.

We had some familiar faces neighbouring our stand in Caffia whose friendly team were showcasing their coffee expertise, new products and equipment. Caffia work closely with office fit-out companies, interior designers, and architects to find the perfect coffee machine for their clients, ensuring the correct space is allocated at the design stage, and that the machine is suitable for their business type and functionality. Like plants, great coffee encourages excellent performance and high staff satisfaction, so we were all too happy to pop round for a brew whenever we had the chance.

Attendees at the event were thrilled to receive a free peace lily from our stand and we were overwhelmed with how popular these turned out to be. Plants are a key component of biophilic design and are especially important in hospitality where first impressions are everything. This giveaway provided the perfect opportunity to open up a conversation with our visitors about the benefits of plants in hospitality and the possibilities of what we could do for their premises.

If you attended this year’s ScotHot, you may have noticed our Nordik Moss display located just behind the Spotlight Stage.

This was used as the centrepiece of the selfie-spot we created to give visitors the perfect place to snap a photo and share their experience at ScotHot 2023. The spot was a huge success on social media and was a great way to demonstrate the versatility of Nordik Moss.

The wall was the result of an internal all-staff design competition which was won by our very own Kyleigh Fielder. Her design was conceptualized from her love of the rugged Scottish outdoors and features her colourful interpretation of Loch Goil.

Benholm Director, Adrian Byne, attended both days of the event and relished the opportunity to speak with industry professionals about the challenges they face:

“A lot has changed since ScotHot was last held in 2019. While we received lots of compliments about the beauty of the plants we had on display, there was a real appetite from visitors to learn more about the science behind what we do and how adding these natural elements can benefit their customers and staff.

We look forward to following up with the connections we made over the coming weeks and hopefully delivering planting schemes that will help their businesses to thrive.”

ScotHot 2023 was a big success, and it was great to learn more about the industry’s most pressing issues. We would like to thank the event’s organisers and partners, as well as everyone that took the time to come and have a chat. We’re already looking forward to coming back in 2025 and doing it all over again.

At Benholm, we care about your customers’ experience as much as you do. Our florists and installers can create plant and floral designs for hospitality that will wow every guest who walks through your doors and help keep your staff smiling all day long.

To learn more about how Benholm can use real or artificial flower displays to enhance your venue, get in touch today.

Additional Resources

Download our free Hospitality plant displays brochure

Read our recent blog: What will the hospitality industry look like in 2023? – Six Key Trends for 2023

Blog

The Psychology of the Colour Green

Post author By Scott Togher
Post date February 17, 2023

The use of colour has an immense psychological impact on our everyday lives. From the colours we choose to wear, to the colours we use to decorate our homes; the range of hues surrounding us can influence our moods, emotions, and even our decision-making processes.

Of all the colours in the spectrum, there’s arguably none more universally loved than green. But what is it about the colour that is so appealing, and why is green perceived to be beneficial for our overall wellbeing?

We’re trichromats, meaning we perceive three kinds of colour: blue, green and red.

The retina in your eye can detect light between 400 and 700 nanometres, a range known as the visible spectrum. All of the other colours in the visible spectrum are made up of different combinations of these three colours. Blue light has the lowest wavelength at 400 nanometres, while red has the highest at 700 nanometres. In between those two extremes sits green, at around 555 nanometres.

Because of its position in the middle of this spectrum; green is the easiest of all colours to perceive and Ophthalmologists have even found the colour to be soothing to the visual analysers and calming to the nervous system.

These perceptions are rooted in our relationship with nature and its life-giving energy. Green is the colour of the grass, the trees, and the foliage in the natural world around us.

Spending time in nature can be a truly rejuvenating and restorative experience. It can help to improve our mental and physical wellness, as well as stimulating our creative thinking and problem-solving abilities. Additionally, the presence of natural elements like fresh air, water and plants can have a calming and grounding effect on us, helping us to better appreciate the beauty of the world around us. All these benefits combined can help us to feel renewed and more connected to the environment, leading to a sense of contentment and joy.

This connection with nature has helped us to form a strong bond with the colour green and made it a powerful communications tool for conveying messages of positivity, health, and environmental awareness.

Several studies have investigated the influence of green, but we were particularly impressed with the results of this survey carried out in Wisconsin which not only found a strong correlation between happiness and the availability of neighbourhood green space, but in this instance, it even outweighed the importance of socioeconomic status.

Unfortunately, opportunities to interact with nature have become increasingly rare due to rapid urbanization. According to the United Nations World Urbanization Report (2018), 55% of the world’s population currently live in urban areas compared to only 30% cent in 1950. This number is projected to keep growing and is predicted to rise to almost 70% by 2050.

While urbanization shows no sign of slowing down, there are still ways of incorporating greenery in our everyday lives by adapting our interior environments.

One of the easiest ways to incorporate green in interior design is through the use of plants. In the below example, we see how an office floorplan can be made instantly more appealing with the simple addition of greenery throughout the space. Our eyes are naturally drawn to the space containing plants because of our positive associations with the colour.

In interior design, plants can bring an array of benefits, such as:

Enhancing concentration and productivity – Studies have shown that adding green elements in a corporate setting can lead to increased focus, productivity and creativity.
Stimulating healing and relaxation – The soothing powers of green can help relax your mind and body, aiding in recovery from illness, stress and injury.
Accenting other colours – Thanks to its versatility, green can be used to bring out the natural beauty of other colours. When used as an accent, green will draw attention to other colours around it.

Does your space need more greenery?

We’ve got you covered.

For over thirty years, we’ve worked with commercial interior designers to help bring their creative vision to life with plants and flowers for a variety of industries. We’re always up to date with the latest trends in plant and floral designs and have the accreditations you would expect of an exceptional supplier – ISO9001, ISO14001, ISO25001.

Contact our design team to discuss the endless possibilities our plant and florals could bring to your next interior design project and get a free tailored quote today.

Blog

Pantone’s 2023 Colour of the Year fearlessly invokes the forces of nature

Post author By Scott Togher
Post date January 16, 2023

At Benholm, we understand how important colour is to create a positive, uplifting, and refreshing atmosphere. That’s why we’re so excited about the announcement of Pantone’s Colour of the Year – Viva Magenta.

It’s a bold choice for 2023, but we think it has a lot to offer.

What is Viva Magenta?

The world-renowned colour authority describe Viva Magenta as an animated red that revels in pure joy, encouraging experimentation and self-expression without restraint.

“In this age of technology, we look to draw inspiration from nature and what is real. PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta descends from the red family, and is inspired by the red of cochineal, one of the most precious dyes belonging to the natural dye family as well as one of the strongest and brightest the world has known.

Rooted in the primordial, PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta reconnects us to original matter. Invoking the forces of nature, PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta galvanizes our spirit, helping us to build our inner strength.”

Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director, Pantone Colour Institute

The colour represents strength, stability, and optimism for the coming year, and there is no better way to bring those feelings into your space than by adding plants and flowers.

Adding greenery to a room not only introduces a beautiful colour palette, but also brings numerous biophilic design benefits. Plants have been proven to have a positive impact on mental and physical health, as well as improve air quality and reduce stress.

Whilst using such a bright, vibrant hue may seem daunting, we have a range of options to suit every budget and taste. From fresh bouquets to coloured moss walls, our team of professionals will be sure to help you find the perfect piece to enhance your design.

We had a look through our archives at previous projects where we’ve used similar shades and have created a gallery below to give you some inspiration on ways you can include Viva Magenta in your space. (click to expand images)

At Benholm, we have a passion for creating beautiful and healthy spaces. We’re here to help you incorporate the Pantone Colour of the Year into your interior design projects.

Get in touch with us today to find out more about how we can help you make your space the best it can be.

News

Benholm ISO certifications extended until 2025

Post author By Scott Togher
Post date January 10, 2023

Sourcing products and services to support your business needs can be a complex and time consuming process. Price, recommendation and services offered are all important factors to consider. But have you checked for accreditation?

The Benholm Group are proud to work to the very highest standards and are delighted to once again be awarded:

ISO 45001 for Health & Safety
ISO 14001 for Environmental Assurance
ISO 9001 for Quality Assurance

Why is it important to choose suppliers accredited by leading bodies?

An ISO 14001 certificate includes the need for continual improvement of an organisation’s systems and approach to environmental concerns. You can be sure of an organisation striving to improve their environmental performance through more efficient use of resources and reduction of waste, would you look for a company committed to minimising its impact on the environment?

The ISO 9001 addresses various aspects of quality management. The standards provide guidance and tools for companies and organisations who want to ensure that their products and services consistently meet customer’s requirements, would you choose a company that consistently seeks to improve quality year-on-year?

ISO 45001 is the international standard Occupational Health and Safety Management Certification providing a framework to identify, control and decrease the risks associated with health and safety within the workplace. Would you like the peace of mind that comes from knowing your chosen supplier views employee’s health and safety as a priority within their organisation?

Benholm Partner, Derek Byne comments:

‘We believe accreditations are the most effective way of showing our commitment to quality through continual improvement.

Our customers can be assured in choosing us as a supplier, they are choosing an organisation dedicated to achieving the best possible working conditions, a responsible organisation seeking to minimise environmental impact. One aligned to internationally recognised best business practice.’

As we look ahead, it will be with the peace of mind that we are fully accredited.

Certificate Number: 382982021

Standard: IMS – ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015 & ISO 45001:2018

Scope: The supply and maintenance of plants, flowers and other services to enhance corporate environments

Issue Date: 19/11/2022

Expiry Date: 18/11/2025

Location: Falkirk

News

Benholm to return to Scotland’s leading showcase for food, drink, hospitality and tourism

Post author By Scott Togher
Post date January 10, 2023

ScotHot, Scotland’s leading showcase for food, drink, hospitality, retail, and tourism, is set to return to the SEC Glasgow from 8 – 9 March 2023 following a four-year hiatus due to the Covid pandemic.

Now in its 50th year, ScotHot23 offers an unmissable opportunity for guests to meet with suppliers, network with others to share ideas and inspiration, and learn about the latest trends from across the industry.

Supported by major partners including VisitScotland, Scotland Food & Drink, Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA), The Scottish Chefs, The Staff Canteen, The Caterer and Drink Think, ScotHot23 is expected to welcome an estimated 7,000 visitors over the two-day event.

With over 200 exhibitors from the food and drink, technology, catering equipment, tableware and design and many more industries to be showcased over the two days, ScotHot23 will fill the SEC with some of the biggest names in the industry already confirmed to attend: Alliance Scotland, Braehead Foods, Brakes, Compass Scotland, InStock, Lynas Foodservice, WRS Systems, Nespresso, Panasonic, Elite Contract Furniture and Welbilt to name a few.

Toby Wand, Managing Director of 365 Events, the team behind ScotHot23, said:

“We’re back, bigger and better than ever, and we can’t wait to welcome our partners, sponsors, exhibitors, and guests to ScotHot23. It is widely known how challenging the past few years have been for these industries but now we look to the future, sharing ideas, inspiration, and trends with some of the best names in the business.”

Once we’ve helped to dress the venue, we’ll be positioned at stand 650 and we’d love for you to come and say hello!

The must-attend event for all professionals in the food, drink, hospitality, retail and tourism industries is now officially open for registration. Click here to register and find out more about the event.

News Uncategorized

Looking ahead to the fifteenth Scottish Interiors Showcase

Post author By Scott Togher
Post date January 10, 2023

We’re excited to announce the continuation of our partnership with the Scottish Interiors Showcase which takes place on the 21st and 22nd of February.

In what is the only exhibition of its kind in the UK, over 140 of the finest brands favoured by the Interior Design, Hotel and Retail sectors are set to showcase the latest spring collections of fabrics, lighting, furniture and accessories.

The event returns to the idyllic yet accessible setting of the Macdonald Inchyra Hotel & Spa, just a few miles from our Head Office at Melonsplace. Not only will we have a stand where you can come and say hello and learn more about Biophilic Design; we will also help to dress the venue with an abundance of our magnificent plant and flowers.

Having participated in the event for a number of years, Benholm Director Adrian Byne knows the value of taking part in Scotland’s Premier Trade-Only Show:

“We feel incredibly lucky to have such an event on our doorstep and to be able to actively contribute to its ongoing success. We love returning to this showcase because of the relationships we have formed and continue to nurture due to our involvement here.”

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Scottish Interiors Showcase is a trade-only show open to all visitors from the Interior Design, Contract Specification, or Retail market sector. The Showcase is free to attend however all visitors must register prior to arrival.

The venue is easy to reach by road or rail and is just a short distance from J9 of the M9 motorway. The closest station is Polmont from where a shuttle bus will run throughout both show days to bring visitors to and from the Inchyra Hotel.

Follow our social media to keep up to date with this year’s Showcase, as well as exciting news about other upcoming projects and our 30^th anniversary celebrations.

News

Benholm crowned Most Innovative Commercial Plant and Floral Designs Company

Post author By Scott Togher
Post date October 11, 2022

We are delighted to be recognised by SME News as their Most Innovative Commercial Plant and Floral Designs Company for 2022.

Now in its seventh year, the UK Enterprise Awards is a highly regarded awards programme shown the best and the brightest SMEs in the UK.

The SME News research team casts their final judgment, based on various criteria including: client dedication, innovation, business growth, longevity, online reputation, customer feedback and business performance.

Benholm can use real or artificial plants and flowers to enhance any space. You can see a stunning array of projects on our gallery

Benholm Sales Manager, Michael Byne, welcomed the victory saying:

“It’s reassuring that our focus on being creative, caring and always with a can-do attitude is yielding great results. We’ve been lucky enough to have been involved in some amazing jobs with some fantastic teams in 2022.”

News

Benholm clients go for gold at the BCO awards

Post author By Scott Togher
Post date October 4, 2022

Having already been crowned Regional winners in their respective categories; we would like to wish our clients good luck ahead of tonight’s British Council for Offices National Awards in London.

We are immensely proud to have played our part in the creation of these wonderful spaces and know that each will make a worthy winner!

Cadworks Glasgow – Innovation category

Onyx – Refurbished/Recycled Workplace category

Capital Square – Commercial Workplace category

One of the BCO’s primary objectives is to define excellence in corporate spaces. As part of this objective their annual Awards Programme provides public recognition for top quality design and functionality and a benchmark for excellence in workplaces.

The Programme acknowledges innovation and focuses external attention on examples of best practice. Established in 1992, the competition is considered to be one of the most prestigious events in the corporate real estate calendar and attracts over 1,200 key players in the office industry sector.

Click here to find out more about the work we do in the corporate sector, and discover the plant and floral possibilities for your workplace.

News

Cadworks scoops Commercial Project of the Year at Herald Property Awards

Post author By Scott Togher
Post date September 30, 2022

We were delighted to see our friends at Cadworks take home the prestigious Commercial Project of the Year at the 2022 Herald Property Awards on 29 September.

Recognised for its outstanding innovation, ground-breaking environmental standards, and commitment to driving positive social impact in the local community, Cadworks was presented with the Award by Angela Joseph, Partner at Alinea Consulting, at the Double Tree by Hilton, Glasgow City Centre.

The Commercial Project of the Year category recognises a project that meets and exceeds the needs of its target market. It judges innovative use of materials and building techniques, architectural design, and consideration for green issues.

Cadworks, which was designed by architects Cooper Cromar, features Glasgow’s first cycle-in access ramp, is net zero carbon in operation, and uses anti-viral paint which also removes greenhouse gasses and purifies the air for tenants. With parking for bikes only and state-of-the-art changing facilities, as well as event space and partnerships with grassroot charities in the City, Cadworks is a new generation of workplace.

FORE’s managing partner, Basil Demeroutis, said: “The Herald Property Awards are meaningful as the Herald completely immersed in Glasgow city life. The judges are all local experts and know the buildings and the market particularly well, which is why this award is really very humbling for all of us involved.

“I am delighted on behalf of the entire team who have worked tirelessly to deliver Scotland’s most sustainable office building. This award underlines that quality never has to be compromised for sustainability.”