Interiors news: Budget pauses building regulation changes, rates relief for shops and hotels, Aesop's terracotta counter at Harrods and HIX moves to Excel (31 October 2026)
The Budget on 28 October promised no major changes to building regulations for the rest of this Parliament, with building safety the one exception, and raised the rates relief thresholds for shops, hospitality and leisure premises from April 2027. In London, Al-Jawad Pike has reworked Aesop's Harrods counter in Italian terracotta and Peter Morris has finished a pink, cloud-edged pair of homes in Gospel Oak.
Budget 2026: no major building regulation changes this Parliament, except for building safety
The Budget document published on 28 October says the government "will not make major changes to building regulations for the remainder of this Parliament", with one exception: it will "continue improving building safety, including implementing the recommendations from the Grenfell Inquiry". It adds that it will keep looking at amendments that make the regulations "more proportionate" where that supports development.
The pledge is framed around housebuilding costs, but the same regulations govern commercial and residential fit-out work. The document makes building safety the only stated exception, so safety-led changes, including Grenfell Inquiry measures, are not covered by the pause.
Shops and hotels: 100% small business rates relief threshold rises to £18,000 from April 2027
From 1 April 2027 the rateable value threshold for 100% Small Business Rate Relief on retail, hospitality and leisure properties in England rises from £12,000 to £18,000, and the tapered relief threshold from £15,000 to £21,000. The Treasury says a further 70,000 such businesses will pay no business rates at all. Other retail, hospitality and leisure properties get a two-year real-terms freeze in their bills.
Part of the cost is to be met by making online marketplaces collect VAT on sales by UK businesses that sell more than £90,000 through them, starting in October 2027. The Treasury says the change will not affect personal sales through marketplaces.
Al-Jawad Pike clads Aesop's Harrods counter in Italian glazed terracotta
London studio Al-Jawad Pike has redesigned Aesop's space in Harrods around a central counter clad in glazed terracotta tiles from Italy, picked partly for their ability to hold scent and partly as a nod to the store's red terracotta facade. Co-founder Jessam Al-Jawad said the aim was to give the counter "the qualities of a miniature building", with carved alcoves referencing ancient Persian architecture.
The counter carries an "olfactory sculpture" of copper piping and blown glass that pushes fragrance-infused air to copper scent funnels. The palette pairs the terracotta with matte brushed copper. Aesop has had a counter in Harrods for more than a decade.
Source: Dezeen, 30 October 2026.
Peter Morris finishes Cloud House in Gospel Oak: two homes of 133 and 165 sq m
Architect Peter Morris has completed Cloud House in Gospel Oak, north London, on the site of a demolished Victorian house next to the Grade I-listed St Martin's Church. It is two offset homes: Morris's own, at 133 sq m, and a 165 sq m neighbour's home with an upside-down plan that puts the living, dining and kitchen space on the top floor.
The steel and blockwork structure is dressed in pink render and arches made of polystyrene, sprayed with a waterproof layer and a textured top coat. Morris's interiors follow the pink and turquoise of the outside, while the neighbour's home was left blank for them to finish. Morris credited Camden Council with being open to the design.
Source: Dezeen, 24 October 2026.
Dusk Trade passes 2,000 accounts as Dusk revenue rises 19% in the half
Online furniture and homeware retailer Dusk reported revenue up 19% for the six months to 30 September 2026, with growth reaching 33% in the second quarter. Its trade arm, Dusk Trade, launched in May, now has more than 2,000 active accounts, including property developers, housebuilders and interior designers, and an average order value more than 2.5 times that of its retail business.
Dusk has also added bathroom furniture to its range. Separately, Yorkshire soft furnishings supplier Walton & Co, founded in Knaresborough in 1785, has been sold to Pacific Lifestyle; Walton & Co fulfils orders until 30 November, and its 2027 collections go on preview through Pacific from 9 November.
Sources: Furniture News, 28 October 2026, Furniture News, 30 October 2026.
HIX Europe moves to Excel London for 25 and 26 November; Hypnos renames its contract arm
HIX Europe, the hotel interiors show, moves to Excel London for its 2026 edition on 25 and 26 November, under the theme "Changes". The AHEAD Europe hospitality design awards move to Magazine London for their 2026 edition, alongside HIX. Named exhibitors include Laufen, Panaz, Hansgrohe Group, Julian Chichester and Porta Romana, with Libra Interiors, Nalesso, Contract Chair Company and Porter Bathroom new this year.
One returning exhibitor has a new name: Hypnos Contract Beds, which supplies hospitality and international customers, is becoming Hypnos Beds International Ltd, and the parent company Keen & Toms Partnership becomes Hypnos Beds International Group Ltd.
Sources: SBID, 26 October 2026, Furniture News, 30 October 2026.
What this means for interior designers and specifiers
Do not expect a wave of new building regulations before the next election, but do plan for safety-led changes, which the Budget leaves outside the pause. Retail and hospitality clients with smaller premises may have more room in their budgets from April 2027, which is worth raising when fit-out spend is being set. If you sell through online marketplaces, check whether you will cross the £90,000 line before October 2027.