Alison Cork

Alison Helen Lucy Cork (born 28 July 1963) is an English home expert and entrepreneur. She appears extensively on TV, radio and in print.

Publishing

Cork co-founded mail order publishing company Carnell Ltd with entrepreneur publisher John P Gommes. It published eclectic titles such as How to Talk To Your Cat and Vinegar, Honey and Lemon, Nature’s Medicine Chest. The Government Auction Handbook sold 200,000 copies in the space of a few months.^[1] In 1995, Cork wrote The Streetwise Guide To Renovating Your Home, based on her various experiences of renovating property and dealing with builders. Cork wrote Special Occasions in 2000, a book of recipes and creative ideas.

Broadcasting

Cork has worked as a presenter for Carlton Food Network, restaurant critic for LBC Radio, gardening expert for BBC Radio Wales, food journalist on BBC Radio 4's Food programme, and as a travel correspondent on BBC Radio 4’s Breakaway. Cork’s first television series was The Christmas Show, for Westcountry Television. In 1996 ITV commissioned Cork’s first network show, Home In The Country. Between 2001 and 2004, Cork presented a number of TV series, including Countdown To Christmas and Domestic Magic, both for Channel Five. She also appeared on The Wright Stuff.^[2] In 2005 Cork presented a 30-part series for ITV called Don't Move, Improve, which saw her travelling the country with fellow presenter Michael Holmes.^[3] In the last five years, Cork has presented various home interest shows, including Homes & Property, 60 Minute Makeover and Help I Hate My House!. She was also a regular on London Tonight and LBC^[4] As of 2011, Cork is the Homes presenter for ITV This Morning.^[5] >. In 2012 she presented SecretRemovers for Channel 4.

Journalism

In 2002, Cork began writing The Really Useful Column for the London Evening Standard, offering advice on where to find the best products and services for the home.^[6] Since 2005, Cork has written a weekly column for the Daily Telegraph called Bargain Hunter, showing readers where to find the best deals and negotiating discounts on their behalf.^[7] She has also written homes and interiors columns and features for several national publications, including the Mail on Sunday, the Telegraph, the Times, Daily Express, Observer, Sunday Mirror, Period Living, Ideal Home, Your Home and Home.^[8]

Online

In September 2012, Cork launched an online furniture and accessories business, Alison at Home. Prior to that, in 2005, Cork founded a money saving website for the home.^[9] In 2006, she re-launched her tradesman’s website as a nationwide directory of publicly recommended tradesmen.^[10] In 2011 Cork launched two furniture collections for Made.com. Cork's latest venture (founded in 2014) is oneregentplace.co.uk, which sells discounted branded homeware. ^[11]

Personal life

Cork lives with her husband and two sons in central London. The purchase of Cork’s Belgravia home was featured in the Telegraph under the headline “Belgravia or Bust”.^[12]

In 2010, Cork ran the London Marathon in aid of the charity Shelter.^[13] In 2013 Alison became an ambassador for The Prince's Initiative for Mature Enterprise (PRIME) and walked the GR20 in Corsica to raisefunds for the charity.

Television credits

2010–2011 "Get The Look For Less" ITV

Bibliography

• Cork, Alison (1994). Profit Through The Post: How to Set Up and Run a Successful Mail Order Business. Piatkus. ISBN 978-0-7499-1410-3. 
• Cork, Alison (1995). The Streetwise Guide To Renovating Your Home. Piatkus. ISBN 978-0-7499-1445-5. 
• Cork, Alison (1999). Home In The Country. Carlton Books. ISBN 978-1-85868-905-0. 
• Cork, Alison (2000). Profit Through The Post. At Home Books. ISBN 978-0-9537920-0-9. 
• Cork, Alison (2002). Special Occasions: Creative Inspirations for the Good Times in Life. At Home Books. ISBN 978-0-9537920-1-6. 

References