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B&Q has reopened another 130 stores in the UK and it is confirmed when the rest of its branches will follow.
The DIY retailer has now reopened 285 stores, leaving just 12 stores that remain closed.
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B&Q says the rest of its branches will be open again in early May.
Despite being named an “essential retailer” during the coronavirus crisis, the hardware chain closed all physical stores on March 25.
Since then, he has been operating an online-only business as he slowly reopens a few stores.
The B&B website, DIY.com, has remained open for home delivery and click-and-pick orders.
Which B&Q stores are still closed?
England:
- Cambridgeshire – Huntingdon
- Oxfordshire – Oxford
Welsh:
Republic of Ireland:
- Athlone
- cork
- Galway
- Liffey Valley Dublin
- Comic Limerick
- Naas
- Swords
- Tallaght
Channel Islands:
However, customers have not been able to browse or shop in stores.
Click and collect online ordered items that were brought to families outside of closed stores, so staff and shoppers could keep a safe distance.
The hardware chain initially reopened 14 branches on April 18 after seeing “other essential retailers supporting social distancing measures.”
Another 22 branches opened on April 22, followed by an additional 80 stores on April 23 and today’s last batch, April 29.
B&Q says the reopened stores will follow strict social distancing measures to keep staff and customers safe.
The retailer has installed perspex screens in the boxes and has marked distances of two meters through its plants.
Customers also have to queue to enter stores because B&Q limits the number of buyers allowed at the same time.
In stores that have already reopened, customers have only been able to buy products that are available to go on the day.
The retailer has temporarily suspended services such as kitchen and bathroom design, paint mixing, wood cutting, and key cutting.
In an update today, B&Q confirmed that it has relaunched its TradePoint service at all reopened stores.
B&Q has also only accepted card and contactless payments.
Graham Bell, CEO of B&Q, said: “We have now opened more than half of our stores.
“We are confident that our strict social distancing measures keep clients and colleagues safe, while helping to maintain homes and gardens as well as people’s well-being.
“Whether you shop at our stores or online, we ask that all of our customers follow the government’s social distancing guidelines and shop responsibly only for what is necessary.”
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 almost 297 stores in the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and Guernsey.
While the stores were closed, customers complained of having to queue for more than an hour to access the B&Q website.
Meanwhile, the retailer also caused frustration during the two-week waits to click and collect orders.
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B&Q isn’t the only DIY retailer to reopen stores today – Homebase has reopened another 50 branches.
Wickes has also announced plans to reopen six branches with strict social distancing measures.
In food news, KFC has begun reopening restaurants, so far there are 15 branches open for delivery.
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