If there's something we know how to do here in Yorkshire, it's make a good cup of tea.
Let's face it, nothing beats a good brew and arguably no one knows this more than the builders and construction workers out there.
No matter how you like it, whether it be black, green, with a dash or milk, or maybe even with three sugars, when you’ve got a big manual labour job to be cracking on with, then it’s pretty much crucial to know that you’ve got a steady supply of tea to sip to keep you going throughout the day.
Materials Market’s first band of ‘Builder’s Brewers’ will be tasked with discovering what makes the best tea / Credit: Flickr
But what exactly is it that makes the perfect ‘Builder’s Brew’?
To get to the bottom of this all-important question, Materials Market – a marketplace connecting DIY enthusiasts and the construction industry with materials suppliers – wants to recruit three lucky people to taste test lots of different types of tea in a mission to find out what makes the “ultimate Builder’s Brew” – and they’ll pay you £500 for your efforts.
Materials Market’s first band of ‘Builder’s Brewers’ will be tasked with discovering what makes the best tea.
They’ll need to test out different tea brands, milks, the addition of sugar and sweeteners.
There’s so many different ways to make a brew, and while it may be true that everyone has their own preference, the three successful candidates chosen from those who apply for the role will be paid to sample different types of tea and making methods, and essentially, make an executive decision as to which is the best.
Each ‘Builder’s Brewer’ will record their opinions on each one and report back their findings.
Materials Market’s first band of ‘Builder’s Brewers’ will be tasked with discovering what makes the best tea / Credit: Unsplash
The brewers will also have to judge the tea’s optimal drinking temperature, the best type of drinkware to sip the tea out out, and even what type of biscuits are best for dunking.
“How to make a cup of tea is something us Brits love to debate,” said Samuel Hunt, co-founder of Materials Market.
“There is no doubt we all have our methods and go-to tea brands, but at Materials Market, we want to discover which method and brand is best [and] we hope by hiring a range of people across the country, we will be able to discover the best tasting tea for everyone.”
Fancy applying then?
Fancy making £500 to drink tea? 👀 ☕️ We’re excited to announce that we’re looking for our very first band of ‘Builder’s Brewers’ as we hope to discover what makes the ‘ultimate Builder’s Brew’! Apply here: https://t.co/mjuazP0Jjypic.twitter.com/5UbDDUFdJ6
There’s no previous qualifications or experience required for the role, you’ll just need to be over 18 years of age, love tea, and get your applications in before the cut-off date on Friday 18 February, so it can be judged internally by the leadership team, before the successful candidates are selected soon after.
As well as being paid £500 for the role, the testers will also be given a free supply of different brands of English breakfast tea, and will also be sent sugars, biscuits, and a range of milks to try out too.
Jetting off to some of Europe's cheapest capital cities for a boozy night out with your mates before tying the knot is pretty common-place in the world of stag do culture nowadays.
But some new research has now revealed the UK cities that deliver a legendary last hurrah without the price tag, or the need to hop on a plane.
Chillisauce, the UK's leading hen and stag organiser, has analysed 81,000+ recent group bookings alongside survey feedback from 4,738 stag groups, cross-referenced against live 2026 travel fares, accommodation, and pint prices.
To devise its top 10 list, real price data has been blended with verified group satisfaction to guarantee stags and their pals the best experience.
With the pull of a major city with music, sport, food, and nightlife without London prices, Manchester was crowned the best-value city for a stag do in 2026 overall, tying with fellow northern city Newcastle for the top spot, but Leeds follows right behind them both claiming third place.
In Leeds, the research found that the average accommodation price each night is £69.77 per person, while the average price for a pint sets you back £5.50.
A recurring theme across the winners noted that Britain's student cities - including Leeds and Newcastle - drive the most competitive drink prices.
"We send thousands of groups to Prague, Amsterdam, and Benidorm every year," said Robyn Davis, Head of Stag and Hen at Chillisauce.
"But the UK keeps delivering nights out that groups tell us beat their expectations."
IKEA to launch its own online marketplace full of second-hand furniture
Emily Sergeant
IKEA will be launching its own online marketplace full of second-hand furniture.
Just like the ever-popular Facebook Marktplace, the IKEA second-hand marketplace is a dedicated space where pre-loved IKEA products can find a new home.
In bid to make affordable second-hand home furnishings easily accessible, the new online platform will enable customers across the UK to connect with one another directly, so they can buy and sell pre-owned IKEA items locally.
Designed specifically for IKEA products, the marketplace will provide everything shoppers need in one place.
The Swedish retailer is already known and loved for its 'functional' and 'affordable' home furnishings, all produced with care for people and the environment, but the launch of the new IKEA second-hand market place will make it just as easy to pass on an old favourite as it is to find a new one.
IKEA is launching its own online marketplace full of second-hand furniture / Credit: Supplied
"At IKEA, we are always looking for new ways to make life at home even better and help our customers discover products they love," a spokesperson for the retailer said.
"With the launch of IKEA second-hand marketplace in the UK, we’re taking a meaningful step toward creating a destination that simplifies access to pre-owned IKEA furniture.
"Our goal is to make passing on beloved IKEA pieces as seamless as possible.
"We’re creating a trusted and vibrant space to make it quick and easy for our IKEA Family members to trade directly with one another. We want the process for buying and selling pre-owned IKEA products to be simple, accessible and rewarding."
Detailed information regarding the official launch and how customers can get involved will be made available in the coming months.
The Hoot -
2nd February 2022 
