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B&Q today reopened ALL of its UK branches following the closure of the coronavirus.
The DIY store announced this morning that all 288 UK stores are open but with “strict social distancing measures.”
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B&Q has been gradually reopening stores after the physical closure of all stores on March 25.
The hardware chain had been named an “essential retailer”, but was initially operating an online-only service.
At the start of the coronavirus shutdown, customers could only order items for home delivery or click and pick on the B&Q DIY.com website.
For click-and-collect orders, customers were instructed to wait for their items outside the front of closed stores.
What stores and restaurants have reopened?
The following major street chains have begun reopening branches after the coronavirus closed.
You should be aware that most food chains are only open for take-home delivery.
B&Q reopened its first 14 stores to the public on April 14.
Another 61 branches opened on April 22, followed by an additional 80 stores on April 23 and another 130 stores yesterday, April 29.
Security measures in the recently reopened stores include perspex screens on the boxes and two meter marking distances on the store floors.
In addition to this, customers have to queue to enter stores because B&Q limits the number of buyers allowed at the same time.
The hardware chain has also installed car disinfection stations, and stores will only accept card and contactless payments.
B&Q allows two-person shopping parties so they can serve larger items.
Graham Bell, CEO of B&Q, said: “Our highest priority is to keep our colleagues safe at work and our clients safe while shopping.
“In all our stores, we have strict social distancing measures.
“Whether you shop at our stores or online, we continue to ask all of our customers to follow the government’s social distancing guidelines and to shop responsibly only when they need to.”
The retailer has temporarily suspended services such as kitchen and bathroom design, paint mixing, wood cutting, and key cutting.
But it has relaunched its TradePoint service in all newly opened stores.
Reopened store opening hours are 8 a.m. at 5 p.m., although hours of operation may vary.
Shoppers should use the online store search tool to verify the most up-to-date store information.
B&Q has yet to reopen nine stores in the Republic of Ireland and Guernsey.
In total, the DIY chain has 297 stores.
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B&Q buyers were forced to wait queues lasting more than an hour to access the retailer’s website while stores were closed
Meanwhile, the DIY chain also caused frustration during the two-week waits to click and collect orders.
B&Q isn’t the only DIY retailer to reopen stores: Homebase and Wickes have reopened branches.
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