B&Q reopens ALL 288 branches in UK after coronavirus shutdown
The DIY store this morning announced that all 288 of its UK stores are open but with "strict social distancing measures in place".
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B&Q has been reopening stores gradually following the physical closure of all shops on March 25.
The hardware chain had been named as 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 collect from B&Q’s website DIY.com.
For click and collect orders, customers were instructed to wait for their items outside the front of closed stores.
Which shops and restaurants have reopened?
THE following high street chains have started reopening branches following the coronavirus shutdown.
You should note that most of the food chains are only open for takeaway and 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 shops yesterday, April 29.
Safety measures in the newly reopened stores includes perspex screens at checkouts and two metre marking distances across shop floors.
On top of this, customers are having to queue to get into stores due to B&Q limiting the number of shoppers allowed in at one time.
The hardware chain has also installed sanitiser stations for trolleys, and stores will only been accepting card and contactless payments.
B&Q is allowing shopping parties of two people so they can self-serve larger items.
Graham Bell, B&Q CEO, 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.”
The retailer has temporarily stopped services such as kitchen and bathroom design, paint mixing, timber cutting and key cutting.
But it has relaunched its TradePoint service in all newly opened stores.
Core opening times in reopened stores are from 8am until 5pm, although operating hours may vary.
Shoppers should use the to check the most up-to-date shop information.
B&Q is still to reopen nine stores in the Republic of Ireland and Guernsey.
In total, the DIY chain has 297 shops.
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B&Q shoppers were forced to wait in queues lasting more than an hour to get onto the retailer's website while shops were shut.
Meanwhile, the DIY chain also caused frustration over two-week waits for click and collect orders.
B&Q isn't the only DIY retailer to reopen stores - Homebase and Wickes have both reopened branches.