B&Q reopens all its 288 branches in UK TODAY after coronavirus shutdown with strict social distancing measures for shoppers
- The DIY store has confirmed that all its 288 UK stores now open to the public
- Business was forced to close on March 25 amid the governments lockdown rules
- B&Q have said that they will have strict social distancing measures in place
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
B&Q has today reopened all of its UK branches as the country tries to edge out of the coronavirus lockdown.
The DIY store confirmed its 288 stores were now open to the public after the business decided to shut its doors on March 25.
The announcement comes after B&Q’s decision to reopen 130 stores saw massive queues forming outside its outlets in Watford, Edinburgh, Bristol and Swansea.
According to B&Q’s new safety rules, all of its branches will have a designated queuing area outside and these have markers every two metres to assist shoppers in keeping their distance.
B&Q has today reopened all of its 288 UK stores and have ‘strict social distancing measures’ in place. (Stock image)
The hardware store will also have protective perspex screens placed at each checkout, which will each be two metres apart, and there will be santiser stations for trolleys.
In addition, only products that shoppers can purchase and takeaway in store on the day are available to customers.
B&Q CEO Graham Bell told The Sun: ‘Our highest priority is to keep our colleagues safe at work and our customers safe while shopping.
‘In all our stores, we have strict social distancing measures in place.
‘Whether shopping in our stores or online, we continue to ask all our customers to follow the Government’s social distancing guidelines and to shop responsibly only when they need to.’
This month, the DIY store has been slowly re-starting its business by opening 14 stores on April 14 followed by another 61 stores on April 22.
On April 29, B&Q opened another 130 stores.
Today a message on the company’s website read: ‘All B&Q stores are now open with the exception of our stores in the ROI and Guernsey. All stores are open from 8am to 5pm Monday to Saturday. Opening times on Sundays vary, and so please check the store locator page for details of your local store.’
Earlier this month, B&Q customers were left waiting more than an hour to get on to the company’s website, with hundreds of thousands looking to buy products this weekend.
According to its safety rules, all stores will have a designated queuing area outside and shoppers will need to keep two metres apart. (Stock image)
Shoppers queue at a B&Q store in Charlton, south London, on April 29 in accordance with the store’s safety measures
With the UK still on lockdown, the home improvement retailer saw massive demand for its stock, with online shoppers told they face a wait of at least 60 minutes before making click and collect orders.
Customers also claimed that they were kicked out of the website after waiting in a virtual queue for an hour.
At one stage, more than 317,000 people were simultaneously waiting to buy products, as the firm urged customers not to arrive at its stores until told to, in order to follow the ongoing social distancing guidelines.
The decision to reopen all its stores comes a day after DIY retailer Wickes revealed it would be reopening six stores with strict social distancing measures from today in Pudsey, Cheltenham, Preston, Sevenoaks, Cricklewood and Hailsham.
While Homebase opened 20 of its stores at the weekend as part of a trial.
Joining the store was the fast-food retailer KFC which announced it would reopen another 80 branches for delivery yesterday.
The chain said 100 of its stores up and down the country would be able to bring orders to customers’ homes from next Monday.
B&Q also follows in the footsteps of restaurants Nandos, Burger King and Wagamama, who have all announced plans to reopen restaurants this week.