Seeking Homebase substitute

Reassuringly expensive was the advertising slogan used by Stella Artois when first launched in the UK (and brewed under licence by Whitbread). It later acquired the nickname of "The wife beater"

That slogan wasn't used until 1982, when large-scale and TV advertising began. I found Stella in the late 70s, soon after its introduction, in what claimed to be a Webster's pub (Watneys/Grand Met) on the edge of Epping Forest, and didn't see it anywhere else for some years.

Crown as well.

When I worked at Crown, approx 20 years ago, now, the decorators who mentioned it didn't like F&B. I didn't ask them why, either it took longer to apply or to get a decent finish. We sometimes mixed paint to F&B colours, and to Dulux as well. F&B make a thing of the weird colour names they use.

Think I've seen Wilko-branded stuff in B&M as well. Don't think it's old stock but I don't know who owns the name.

F&B is great on dead flat emulsions, but their semi matt emulsions show a lot of colour variation across brush strokes.

Where I have taken the time the finish is superb. But yes, the time...three or more coats typically

Possibly because they need to be sprayed and not brushed, or applied quickly with a roller and then brushed.

Cant spray in most domestic situations. Rollers work well, but there is nearly always some cutting in that needs doing.