B&Q has today reopened all of its UK branches as the country tries to edge out of the coronavirus lockdown.
The DIY store, which shut its doors on March 25, confirmed its 288 stores were now open to the public in an effort to ‘enable the repair and maintenance of houses and gardens across the UK’.
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.
B&Q says all of its branches will have a designated queuing area outside and these will have navigational markers every two metres to remind shoppers to keep 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 sanitiser stations for trolleys.
Directional arrows will also assist customers through the store and remind them to follow social distancing measures.
In addition, due to the bulky nature of some of its products, B&Q is allowing shopping parties of two people so that they can self-serve larger items.
B&Q CEO Graham Bell said: ‘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, the hardware retailer 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
Earlier this month, more than 317,000 people were simultaneously waiting to buy products from B&Q’s online store
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.
A statement released by the retailer read: ‘From April 30th 6 of our stores – Pudsey, Cheltenham, Preston, Sevenoaks, Cricklewood and Hailsham – will open to the public.
‘In addition to the new social distancing measures, these stores will operate shorter opening hours on Monday to Saturday, opening at 7.00am and closing at 6.00pm. Sunday reverts to the trading hours of 10.00am to 4.00pm.’
The hardware company said that each of its stores would limit the number of shoppers in the store at any one time and there would be ‘clear signage and floor markers’ to assist customers in keeping two metres apart.
In addition, the shop has installed perspex screens at its tills and service stations, there will be sanitising stations for customers, staff on the shop floor will be using PPE and only contactless payments will be accepted.
Elsewhere Homebase opened 20 of its stores at the weekend as part of a trial.
DIY retailer Wickes revealed it would be reopening six stores with strict social distancing measures from today
A notice tells customers to keep two metres apart inside a Homebase store in Rayleigh on April 29
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.
Paula MacKenzie, managing director for KFC UK & Ireland, said: ‘I’m really proud of the way we, with our franchise partners, have been able to carefully get some of our restaurants back open for delivery over the last two weeks.
‘This next stage allows us to continue to provide wider access to hot food for those who need it most, whether that’s key workers after a long shift or those working from home who need a quick, affordable dinner for the family.’
B&Q also follows in the footsteps of restaurants Nandos, Burger King and Wagamama, who have all announced plans to reopen restaurants this week.