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Below are the most recent press releases from B&Q. For any queries please contact the press office at The Romans on 020 3878 4555 or email b-and-q-press@wearetheromans.com
B&Q and Shelter Unite with Artist David Tovey to Shine a Light on 172,420 Homeless Children in England This Christmas
- 172,420 children in England are currently homeless and living in temporary accommodation – the highest number since records began 21 years ago
- New analysis shows that households in temporary accommodation have spent an average of 996 days homeless — with many having spent at least 3 Christmases stuck waiting for a safe and secure place to call home.
- As part of their ongoing partnership, B&Q and Shelter have joined forces with artist and homelessness activist David Tovey to create 172 temporary Christmas trees as a powerful representation of the growing number of children without a place to call home
- Unveiled last night at Shelter’s annual carol concert at St Martin-in-the-Fields, London, the ‘Temporary Trees’ will be displayed in B&Q stores nationwide from December
- B&Q will donate £1 from every real Christmas tree sold to Shelter and between the 1st–7th December will match customer donations made in store through Pennies*.
- As the festive season approaches, experts have revealed all the top tips for picking the best Christmas tree, and how to pick between real or faux
- Real Tree Expert Mark Sage and Faux Tree Expert Rory Parkes have unveiled a comprehensive guide for how to get a tree that has longevity and suits your space, and surprising hacks to assess freshness in the store
- All products mentioned are available in-store and at diy.com now
- As frosty weather conditions are set to hit areas of the UK in the coming days, B&Q is on hand to ensure consumers are fully prepared
- B&Q' has shared his top tips on how to protect both homes and gardens as the cold snap nears
- All products mentioned are available in-store and at diy.com now.
- The landmark Renters’ Rights Act 2025 gives England’s renters longterm security, ending no-fault evictions
- With greater confidence to stay put, renters now have more freedom to invest in their homes
- B&Q’s ‘The Way We Live Now’ 2025 report shows that renters have long been keen to spend on improving their rental homes
- B&Q makes it easy for renters to turn their space into a home, visit us in store or head to diy.com to get started
- With Stranger Things set to return to screens on Wednesday 26th November, the final instalment of the record-breaking series goes hand in hand with the trending, retro revival of 80s interiors
- Searches for ‘retro interiors’ spiked to a five year peak this year*, and Laura Dollimore, B&Q Decor Expert has revealed her tips on how to achieve the 80s style loved by fans of the show
- Starting at just £18, all decor is available in B&Q stores nationwide now, or online at www.diy.com
- As clocks go back and darker evenings set in across the UK, homeowners are taking extra steps to secure their properties with searches for ‘Ring Doorbells’ skyrocketing
- B&Q’s Head of Building & Technical, Laura Nicholson, has shared her easy hacks and tips to protect homes over the colder months, with some top product picks to ensure peace of mind
- All B&Q home security products are available in-store and online now at diy.com, and more security advice is available on B&Q’s advice page
B&Q expands Deliveroo trial to extend on-demand delivery to more cities outside of London
20 November 2025: Today, B&Q has announced the extension of its successful partnership with Deliveroo, to trial the service beyond London and Brighton, taking it to 29 more major UK cities and large towns. From Aberdeen to Bristol, and from Cardiff to Colchester, more renters and home-owners alike, now have easier and speedier access to a selection of around 10,000 products for on-demand delivery, from B&Q.
Since its launch in 2024, the B&Q and Deliveroo trial has continued to evolve, from first being in London and Brighton at B&Q Local stores only, to expanding the range available by extending to larger London stores too. This third evolution demonstrates B&Q’s on-going commitment to testing faster, more flexible fulfillment options for today’s home improvers by moving to more major cities outside of London.
Serving the UK population across 31 major UK cities and large towns, the extended trial offers one of the fastest store-to-home delivery services for home improvers, with Deliveroo delivering within as little as 25 minutes.
Amelie Gallichan-Todd, Supply and Logistics Director B&Q, said: “We’re constantly exploring new ways to offer our customers more flexible and convenient ways to shop. By further expanding our trial with Deliveroo, to now cover 31 major UK cities and large towns, we’re offering customers - both existing and new – easier and speedier access to around 10,000 B&Q products to help them get their home improvement projects done. As customer expectations continue to change, we continue to evolve and remain focused on making it even easier for people to access the products they want, when and where they want them.”
Suzy McClintock, VP of New Verticals at Deliveroo said: “Home improvement has become one of the most popular retail categories on Deliveroo, as more consumers seek out quick and convenient delivery during those DIY emergencies. Extending our successful partnership with B&Q to more cities means more customers can access what they need, when they need it, to keep those home improvement projects moving. Whether it’s paint or power tools, we can have them delivered to your doorstep in as little as 25 minutes.”
B&Q on-demand store-to-home deliveries, in as little as 25 minutes, are now available in partnership with Deliveroo, in the following 31 major UK cities and large towns:
- Aberdeen
- Bedford
- Birmingham
- Brighton
- Bristol
- Cambridge
- Canterbury
- Cardiff
- Chester
- Colchester
- Coventry
- Derby
- Doncaster
- Edinburgh
- Farnborough
- Glasgow
- Guildford
- Havant
- Leeds
- Lincoln
- Liverpool
- London
- Luton
- Manchester
- Milton Keynes
- Newcastle
- Norwich
- Nottingham
- Oxford
- Reading
- Sheffield
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Note to editors:
Media contact: b-and-q@wearetheromans.com
About B&Q:
B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer with over 300 stores throughout the UK and Ireland, offering great prices, with over 2 million products available to order at diy.com for home delivery or click and collect.
For trade professionals, B&Q TradePoint offers exclusive membership to those in trades such as electricians, plasterers, fitters, plumbers, roofers, decorators, joiners, tilers, builders, landscapers and facilities and maintenance professionals. TradePoint members have exclusive access to dedicated TradePoint counters at around 200 B&Q stores as well as to Tradepoint.co.uk.
B&Q launched the UK’s first home improvement marketplace in March 2022, adding additional choice for consumers. The Marketplace offers a unique, integrated experience with in-store returns for many products and, as of July 2025, Click + Collect options too. B&Q’s Marketplace at diy.com offers over 2 million products from over 2,000 third-party sellers alongside products for sale from B&Q.
Their team of more than 20,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nationwide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
Every year, more than 20 million people improve their homes and make life better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable operations and sourcing, and supports our local communities, including funding B&Q Foundation grants and Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit diy.com/responsible-business/community or to read our Build a Life Project annual report visit diy.com/responsible-business
B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company, operating over 1,900 stores in 7 countries across Europe.
Follow B&Q on LinkedIn
About Deliveroo
Deliveroo is changing the way people eat and shop by bringing the neighbourhood to your door, unlocking a wealth of hyperlocal choice across restaurants, grocery and retail, with fast and reliable delivery, at the right price.
Founded in 2013 by William Shu and Greg Orlowski, Deliveroo joined forces with DoorDash (NASDAQ: DASH) in 2025. Together, we operate in over 40 countries, nine of which are with Deliveroo’s product and brand. You can read more on the Deliveroo website.
Southampton, 6 November 2025: This week, B&Q hosted its annual apprenticeship graduation, spotlighting the impact of its Women in Leadership apprenticeship, which has played a key role in empowering female talent across the business.
For the first time, women now make up more than half (56%) of B&Q’s apprenticeship programme, reflecting our commitments to offering all colleagues equal access to opportunities to progress in their careers and to reaching gender parity across all work levels.
The two-day event celebrated more than 300 colleagues who completed apprenticeships across the business, including participants from B&Q’s Women in Leadership apprenticeship. Built by members of B&Q’s Women in Leadership Curriculum Council, the apprenticeship is designed by women to help women navigate topics often overlooked in traditional leadership training, from menopause to fertility journeys.
Angela Peel, Curriculum Council member and Unit Manager at B&Q said: “When updating B&Q’s Women in Leadership apprenticeship, we wanted to truly reflect the experiences of women. By building real-life issues – like menopause – into the heart of the programme, we created space for women to connect, share, and grow together.”
Katie Bauman, Graduate Apprentice and Unit Manager at B&Q said: “In the past, some leadership content didn’t quite speak to women’s experiences – especially in male-dominated areas where imposter syndrome can be a real challenge. What makes this apprenticeship different is how openly it tackles these barriers – it’s about helping women be at their best, while recognising that our journeys can be different.”
Since inception, over 2,500 B&Q colleagues have completed or are undertaking an apprenticeship, with around 400 employees set to begin own apprenticeships next year, as B&Q continues to expand its offering to more than 40 apprenticeship options covering all levels, from 2 to 7.
This year’s newly qualified apprentices graduated at a special ceremony at B&Q House, co-hosted by Paddy Earnshaw (Retail, Property & Technology Director) and Andy Moat (People Director), with Olympic ski jumper, Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards, also in attendance as guest speaker.
Andy Moat, People Director at B&Q, said: “Apprenticeships play a vital role in developing the skills and confidence of our colleagues across the business. We’re incredibly proud to see so many people graduating and taking the next step in their careers and even prouder that our programmes reflect the diversity, talent, and ambition of our teams. We’re particularly proud of the opportunity’s apprenticeships, like the Women in Leadership apprenticeship, creates to help us reach gender parity across all work levels. Supporting colleagues to grow and reach their potential is at the heart of what we do at B&Q.”
B&Q continues to invest heavily in colleague learning and development, earning a place among the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers in the UK. The retailer’s apprenticeship programme is open to all colleagues, regardless of age, background, or location, making it one of the most inclusive schemes in the country.
B&Q gives a first look at its new festive collection for 2025 as the Christmas countdown begins
This year, B&Q will launch three unique themes so consumers can deck their halls beautifully - no matter the style or budget
The full Christmas collection is available in-store and online from w/c 13th October and starts at just £2
Starting from just £12.99 - B&Q has the perfect range of gifts for father figures
Featuring DIY essentials, the latest gardening gadgets and outdoor cooking must-haves
Available in store now or at www.diy.com
- Bred by Harkness Roses, the Rosa ‘Catherine’s Rose’ is a floribunda rose with stunning pink hues and a strong, sweet scent - reminiscent of Turkish Delight and mango
- Unveiled by the RHS at this year's Chelsea Flower Show, £10 of every plant sold by B&Q includes a donation to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity to help The Royal Marsden to establish a unique training programme for clinical teams across the country.
- B&Q is the main bricks and mortar stockist and the rose is available in stores across England, Wales and Scotland from today
B&Q has launched its BIG BRAND LOYALTY EVENT, offering 20% off over 700 items in store and online until 10th March.
It’s estimated the whole thing could cost less than £35, with MDF sheets available for £10 (or even less!), which can be cut by the instore team at selected B&Q stores.
Discover B&Q’s latest Coastal Blues collection, bringing stylish and affordable seasonal updates starting from just £6.
Head of Decor, Gill Baker shares her affordable top picks from this new capsule collection
The new spring range is available in-store and online from 24th March. Visit diy.com for more information.
- With January pay day finally here, B&Q’s Head of Décor, Gill Baker, has unveiled her top homeware picks for up to 90% less than their luxury alternatives
- From a Teddy Boucle Fabric Armchair, 71% cheaper than some alternatives, to a Cast Iron Casserole Dish for less than an eighth of the price of its fan-favourite counterpart
- All items are available in stores and online at www.DIY.com now
- Timothée Chalamet’s Oscars look has sparked ‘butter yellow’ being the newest trend exploding onto the scene this season
- Searches for “butter yellow” peaked on Google Trends with the most searches in the past five years on Oscars night
- B&Q’s Head of Décor, Gill Baker, shares her expert tips and picks on how to incorporate this joyful shade into the home
- B&Q’s paint mixing service allows homeowners to recreate trending colours with ease and all yellow paints and decor mentioned are available at diy.com and in store
- Gardens are becoming the “fifth room” as homeowners look to ‘elevate their outdoors’, inspired by celebrities like Zooey Deschanel and Ashley Graham
- With ‘Indoor outdoor living ideas’ searches increasing by a whopping 138.5%* on TikTok, B&Q’s outdoor expert Mairi Devlin reveals her top tips to achieving the Hollywood-inspired “outdoor living room”
- B&Q has over 450 new products in its outdoor range features the perfect options for relaxing, socialising and dining, available in-store and online now
- Starting from just £3, B&Q has the perfect range of gifts for everyone this Christmas
- Featuring toys, tools, home décor, festive treats and more, handpicked to suit every taste and budget
- All products soon to be available in store or at www.diy.com with next-day click & collect and B&Q Club rewards
- With the school holidays fast approaching, parents across the UK are starting to think about how to keep their kids busy, active, and away from screens
- B&Q’s Marketplace Expert, Marion Merle, has revealed her top product picks from climbing frames and swing sets to outdoor mud kitchens
- Starting at just £10.99, all summer toys and games are available online at diy.com and can be delivered straight to your door
- In the lead up to National BBQ Week, Stephanie Chambers, Head of Outdoor at B&Q has shared her top BBQ picks to get your garden a hosting haven
- Shoppers can enjoy an exclusive 20% off BBQs, charcoal, and outdoor dining sets between the 16th of May and the 2nd of June, available at diy.com.
- Egg garden chairs are the hottest garden trend this spring with searches for ‘egg garden chairs’ on B&Q increasing by a whopping 216% since last year.
- With other viral egg chairs setting garden lovers back by £199, B&Q’s budget-friendly alternative offers Brits style and comfort at just £160.
- All B&Q garden egg chairs are available online at diy.com and in store now.
- As searches for ‘Indoor Plant’ soar to their annual May peak*, aspiring plant parents will be facing the usual dilemma of separating social media myths from helpful plant care tips
- To help the increasing popularity of indoor plants both online and offline, B&Q’s Plant Expert, Mark Sage, has debunked five common plant care myths, unveiling his specialist guide to guaranteeing a thriving indoor plant oasis
- With ‘small garden ideas’ peaking every April for the past 5 years*, the UK is about to get creative with its balconies and small outdoor spaces as warmer weather approaches
- From vertical decorating to creating the illusion of space with mirrors, B&Q’s Gardening Expert, Stephanie Chambers, has shared her top 10 tips and product picks to make the most of micro-spaces
- B&Q’s new outdoor range is available online on diy.com and in stores nationwide now.
The weather is hotting up, so to help customers make the most of the sunshine, and prep their gardens for summer party season, B&Q will be slashing prices across thousands of products over the month of April as part of its Spring Event.
Please find below a round-up of the weekly deals available at B&Q this month as well as tips from B&Q’s outdoor expert, Stephanie Chambers on how to transform any garden into the ultimate summer entertaining oasis.
- Kazuyuki Ishihara’s ‘Japanese Tea Garden’ was awarded ‘Best in Show’ at the 2025 RHS Chelsea Flower Show this weekend, praised for its tranquillity and peace
- B&Q’s Horticulture Expert, Mark Sage, has shared his expertise on how customers can recreate the serene setting in any outdoor space this summer
- All products are available now instore and at diy.com, starting from as little as £10.49
- ‘Moo’ve over boring decor - Cow print is the hottest new trend that is taking interiors by storm
- Racking up a whopping 14.2 million posts on TikTok, searches for “modern ranch interiors” proof we’re truly in Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter Era
- B&Q’s Head of Decor, Gill Baker has revealed tips on how to bring the viral look into the home, along with her top product picks
- All ‘cow print inspired’ items mentioned can be found on www.diy.com
- Discover B&Q’s new Autumn 2025 collection, with cushions, throws, lighting, candles and more to refresh any space from just £8
- B&Q Interiors Expert, Gill Baker, shares her favourite affordable seasonal updates, from easy-to-hang wallpaper to cosy textured cushions
- The full autumn range, including new lighting styles, is available in-store from 29th August and online from 5th September. Visit diy.com for more information
- With over 144.9M TikTok videos and Google searches for ‘vegetable garden’ peaking in April every year, it’s clear the nation is ready to create their own kitchen gardens
- ‘Grow Your Own’ Expert, Mark Sage, is offering a guide filled with tips for beginner gardeners looking to plant their first vegetable garden this year
- B&Q is offering 3 for 2 on Verve seeds on diy.com, meaning there’s no better time to pick produce and embrace the ‘grow your own’ trend
- B&Q’s Head of Decor, Gill Baker has shared their guide to help declutter, deep clean, and refresh every corner of the home this Spring
- With Google searches for ‘Spring Clean’ peaking on 24th March last year, with searches increasing 53-fold since 17th February
- From Method sprays to Henry hoovers, B&Q has a wide range of products for the perfect Spring clean, for as little as just £4 on www.diy.com now
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Neighbours up and down the country will be marking the 80th Anniversary of VE Day together this Thursday with celebratory street parties
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Celebrating communities can prep the perfect street soiree with the likes of trestle tables, bunting and BBQs all starting from just £9.49 at DIY.com
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B&Q’s Head of Outdoor, Stephanie Chambers, has shared her expert advice and product picks on hosting the perfect street party, with all products available now at www.diy.com
- With summer approaching and British gardens about to be overrun with parties and sun-seekers, the nation will be desperately searching for essential gardening intel
- B&Q’s Horticulture Expert, Mark Sage, has revealed a foolproof guide full of month-by-month jobs to keep gardens flourishing all summer long
- Starting at just £3, all essential summer gardening gadgets are available in B&Q stores nationwide now, or online at diy.com
- With it harder than ever to get on the property market, more people are staying in rented accommodation, but that doesn’t mean they can’t put their own stamp on their home
- Nearly half of renters (47%) consider their current home as their ‘forever home’ according to B&Q’s The Way We Live Now 2025 report
- From peel-and-stick solutions to clever no-drill shelving, B&Q’s Head of Decor, Gill Baker, shares her top renter-friendly DIY tips and product picks
- Half of the nation are using social media to find out how to complete DIY tasks, and 73% believe themselves to be capable at DIY*
- With the summer proving to be a scorcher, many Brits are looking for a way to build a comfortable outdoor space in their own garden
- Now, B&Q’s Head of Building & Landscaping has shared a beginner’s guide on how to build a deck in the garden, without the price tag that comes with a large landscape project
This week the nation is re-immersing in the chaotic and boujee lifestyle of Bridget Jones, a timely nod to the current contrasting trends of the “rot girl” and the “sunday reset girl”
In the past months, the nation has embraced this “Bridget-core” combination, tapping into TikTok’s “clean girl aesthetic” while also emanating the chaos of “brain rot,” Oxford’s word of the year for 2024
Interiors expert Gill Baker has unveiled tips for the many embracing these two antithetical lifestyles, from smart storage solutions to complement a home reset to stylish shelving to display mismatching items in a chic way
All ‘Bridget-core’ friendly items mentioned can be found by clutter-core fans on www.diy.com now
January 2025: With the energy-price cap rising by 1.2% this month and the weather getting colder, Brits once again face the prospect of increased bills and the challenge of keeping their homes warm efficiently.
From smart products that help you monitor and control your energy usage such as sockets and smart meters, to those that prevent energy loss like draught excluders and insulators, B&Q has a broad range of energy saving products to suit every budget.
2025 has arrived and B&Q is here to help everyone create a home they love, with a huge range of interior products to suit every style and budget. Whether it’s a quick refresh or a complete makeover, B&Q has all the inspiration and tools customers need to make it happen.
- With blue skies signalling the steady arrival of spring, Brits should be looking to their gardens and preparing for the summer season ahead
- To help budding gardeners, B&Q’s Head of Horticulture shares her comprehensive guide on what to plant when to guarantee a blooming garden
- The three-month guide covers breaks down key jobs, expert advice, and product recommendations to help any garden become a haven this summer
With Spring just around the corner, many Brits will be taking the opportunity to refresh their kitchens for the new season, with ‘Kitchen Inspo’ amassing over 50 million posts on TikTok
B&Q’s Showrooms Director, Tori Summers, has shared her top tips on how to create a chic kitchen transformation in just one weekend
From adding antique brass cabinet handles to installing under cabinet lights, Tori has shared product recommendations for every home and every budget – starting from just £2.20
Shoppers can even enjoy up to 20% off big kitchen & bathroom brands including Beko, Aqualisa and Grohe, all available in stores nationwide and online at www.diy.com
- As darker evenings are setting in and mood lighting becomes top of the agenda, an interiors expert has shared six easy switches to get the designer lighting look for less
- Perfect for every area, from comfy corners to dramatic dining spaces, B&Q Head of Decor Gill Baker’s expert picks slice up to 92%, or £587, off designer price tags
- The full autumn range, including new lighting styles, is available in-store and online on www.diy.com now
- From gardening goddesses to house proud heroes, B&Q offers a diverse range of gifts to make every Mother’s Day special.
- B&Q’s Head of Décor, Gill Baker, has handpicked the top Mother’s Day gifts, catering to all types of mother figures.
- Launching just in time for Mother’s Day, B&Q’s new bedding plant and bulb collection arrives in stores and online on 17th March and offers the perfect gift for green thumbs.
It’s a blooming good time for a bargain on one of the hottest flowers of the moment, as B&Q is offering the trendy Hydrangea Paniculata - a must-have for budding gardeners - for just £15 for a 5 litre plant.
- With temperatures on the rise, B&Q has launched its biggest sale of the year on thousands of summer essentials, from BBQs to garden furniture, and more.
- The B&Q Summer Sale is live now and offers discounts of up to £450, with 50% off many major items. Hurry while stocks last!
- To celebrate the savings, B&Q’s Outdoor Buyer, Rory Parkes, has shared his top sales picks.
- Next day click & collect delivery is available on many products for a convenient shopping experience and B&Q Club members enjoy rewards every time they shop - helping them to create a home they love. For more information visit: www.diy.com.
- A gardening expert has revealed that Brits aspiring to have a gorgeous, growing garden this summer should be cracking on with essential jobs now
- B&Q’s Head of Horticulture, Mairi Devlin, has unveiled a fool-proof guide to warm up for the hotter season, with a list of must-have items to speed along prep, from heated propagators to tap covers
- Starting at just £6.98, all essential summer gardening gadgets are available in B&Q stores nationwide now, or online at diy.com
- Outdoor kitchens are having a major moment with the likes of Serena Williams, James Martin and even David Beckham all jumping on the trend.
- But cooking alfresco doesn’t need to a celebrity price tag - from pizza ovens to pergolas, fire pits to full kitchen set ups, Brits can find affordable options at B&Q.
- B&Q’s Seasonal Buyer, Rory Parkes, has revealed his top tips turning any garden into a stylish, sociable space perfect for summer hosting
- It comes as B&Q’s sell out Cucino all-year outdoor kitchen is BACK IN STOCK – helping customer get a sleek outdoor set up, without the premium price tag
- With festival season fast approaching, Brits are on the hunt for camping essential inspiration as TikTok posts under the search term "Festival Packing List" soar to over 6.1 million
- B&Q’s Head of Outdoors, Stephanie Chambers has shared her product picks for a comfortable and relaxing festival stay this summer, from air beds to collapsible festival trolleys
- All B&Q’s festival and camping essentials can be found in-store and online at DIY.com, starting from just £2.50.
- Karndean is known for its high-quality, realistic appearance and durability and has traditionally been associated with specialist retailers
- With “redo floors on a budget” amassing a whopping 98 million posts on TikTok*, B&Q’s Flooring Expert has unveiled a handy how-to guide for how to freshen up flooring this Autumn, to suit any style
- Palio Home from Palio by Karndean is available in B&Q stores nationwide and online at diy.com from 4th August
Expert who has worked on maintaining professional sport grounds, from tennis courts Premier League pitches, reveals how to get lush lawns at home this summer
Britain is basking in its sunniest spring on record* - and with household solar power generation up 42% year-on-year (Carbon Brief), more UK homeowners than ever are harnessing renewable energy to power their homes and reduce bills.
B&Q are here to help households make the most of this solar boom with affordable, easy-to-install portable solar panel products or the professional install service on offer - perfect for first-time users or those looking to upgrade their systems.
‘Sleepmaxxing’ is the viral trend taking TikTok by storm as millions of Brits try to ‘hack’ their sleep routines.
Yet, many of us are making interior mistakes that could be sacrificing a good night’s sleep, from clashing colour palettes to boring bedroom clutter.
B&Q’s Head of Decor, Gill Baker has revealed her tips and top product picks for a dreamy night’s rest.
GXO and B&Q transform entire logistics fleet on to alternative fuels, now operating the second largest LNG fleet in the UK
B&Q piloting GXO’s proprietary AI-powered route optimiser, driving estimated savings of 240,000 kilometres and 150 tonnes of CO₂ annually
London, UK – September 2025 – GXO Logistics, Inc. (NYSE: GXO), the world’s largest pure-play contract logistics provider, and B&Q, the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, are making strong progress toward their shared goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions across B&Q’s logistics operations by 2040.
Since the partnership began in 2015, GXO has managed B&Q’s retail transport network, including national and regional distribution centres, Store to Home final mile services, returns processing, and a flagship seasonal warehouse. B&Q has a strong online presence and marketplace, with over 700,000 products available for home delivery or click and collect. Together, the companies are driving innovation and sustainability in retail logistics, aligned with B&Q owner Kingfisher’s vision of “Better Homes. Better Lives. For Everyone.”
“Achieving zero-emissions in logistics transport is a significant challenge - one that can only be met through a combination of strategies,” said Gavin Williams, Managing Director, GXO UK & Ireland. “Our partnership with B&Q exemplifies this, showcasing how a thoughtful blend of available technologies and a shared commitment to decarbonisation can drive real progress. B&Q’s approach stands out as a model for the industry, proving that innovation, collaboration, and sustainability can go hand in hand to create a more efficient and environmentally conscious fleet.”
Darren Hall, Director of Logistics at B&Q said: “Decarbonisation of our fleet and use of up to date and available technologies is a vital step in our transition to alternative fuels, allowing us to give customers more choice in sustainable delivery options and reducing our impact on the environment. It’s great to work alongside GXO to help us to drive our ambitions forward and reach our 2040 net zero goals."
Accelerating Toward Net Zero
In 2022, GXO and B&Q launched the B&Q Sustainability Glidepath, a comprehensive roadmap to decarbonise the logistics fleet. Thanks to a combination of performance improvements, accurate emissions reporting, and strategic initiatives, the companies reduced their emissions forecast by 40% in 2024, placing them ahead of schedule on their journey to net zero.
Fleet Transformation Through Alternative Fuels
A cornerstone of the decarbonisation strategy is the transition to alternative fuels. Since 2019, B&Q has deployed 105 Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) vehicles – now the second-largest LNG fleet in the UK – reducing carbon emissions by 16,000 tonnes. In December 2024, the companies completed the conversion of all remaining vehicles and 80 refrigerated trailers to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), which cuts CO₂ emissions by up to 90% compared to diesel.
Electrification and Innovation
GXO and B&Q have also invested in electric vehicles (EVs), with five electric vans and two electric HGVs already in operation. Two more electric HGVs will be added in 2025, with plans to introduce 55 additional EVs over the next five years. The current EV fleet is projected to save 250 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent annually.
Beyond fuel changes, GXO has implemented a range of initiatives to reduce road miles and improve operational efficiency. These include:
- Backhaul optimisation, saving 104 tonnes of Scope 3 emissions in 2024 alone.
- Paragon and Microlise systems to enhance route planning and driver performance.
- A 9.5% reduction in fleet size since 2021 through smarter scheduling and behaviour-based driving improvements.
In Q1 2025, the companies introduced 35 new LNG-powered Volvo FH Aero tractor units. These vehicles feature extended aerodynamic cabs that improve fuel efficiency by 3%, saving an estimated 100 tonnes of CO₂ annually.
AI-Powered Logistics of the Future
Looking ahead, B&Q is piloting GXO’s proprietary AI-powered transport optimisation platform. This technology analyses millions of route variations to identify the most efficient schedules, with early results indicating potential savings of 240,000 kilometres and 150 tonnes of CO₂ annually. Full implementation is planned for 2025.
As part of its path to net-zero, GXO employs an activity-based carbon accounting methodology, using DEFRA conversion factors to calculate emissions from fuel usage, energy consumption, and mileage. This data is submitted monthly to Kingfisher and independently audited annually.
ENDS
About GXO
GXO Logistics, Inc. (NYSE: GXO) is the world’s largest pure-play contract logistics provider and is benefiting from the rapid growth of ecommerce, automation and outsourcing. GXO is committed to providing an inclusive, world-class workplace for more than 150,000 team members across more than 1,000 facilities totalling approximately 200 million square feet. The company partners with the world’s leading blue-chip companies to solve complex logistics challenges with technologically advanced supply chain and ecommerce solutions, at scale and with speed. GXO corporate headquarters is in Greenwich, Connecticut, USA. Visit GXO.com for more information and connect with GXO on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Media Contact:
Jack Woodhead (GXO)
+44 (0)7929104482
Jack.woodhead@gxo.com
About B&Q:
B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer with 318 stores throughout the UK and Ireland, offering great prices, with over 700,000 products available to order at diy.com for home delivery or click and collect.
For trade professionals, B&Q TradePoint offers exclusive membership to those in trades such as electricians, plasterers, fitters, plumbers, roofers, decorators, joiners, tilers, builders, landscapers and facilities and maintenance professionals. TradePoint members have exclusive access to dedicated TradePoint counters at around 200 B&Q stores as well as to Tradepoint.co.uk.
B&Q launched the UK’s first home improvement marketplace in March 2022, adding additional choice for consumers. The marketplace offers a unique, integrated experience with in-store returns for many products and Click + Collect options being explored.
The team of more than 21,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nationwide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
Every year, more than 20 million people improve their homes and make life better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable operations and sourcing, and supports our local communities, including funding B&Q Foundation grants and Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit diy.com/corporate/community or to read our Build a Life Project annual report visit diy.com/responsible-business
B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company, operating 2,000 stores in 8 countries across Europe.
Follow B&Q on LinkedIn
16 September 2025: To mark the launch of its third annual Community Days Programme, B&Q has partnered with housing charity, Fledge, in one of its biggest colleague volunteering projects yet to fully transform a home for three young adults who have experienced homelessness.
The B&Q Community Days programme is an annual, nationwide volunteering initiative where store colleagues provide DIY support to local charities by transforming spaces for people in need. Now in its third year, the programme has helped more than 585,739 people, with 3350 B&Q colleagues having completed 486 Community Days projects in aid of charities that are local to B&Q stores (in 2023-2024). The latest project will take this a step further and fully leverage the immense potential of B&Q’s resources and the expertise of its colleagues.
This year, to mark the launch of the programme, over 50 colleagues from B&Q’s head office took part in the home renovation to transform a home for three young adults who have experienced homelessness. The entire project was funded by B&Q and covered everything from a brand-new kitchen and bathroom to fresh paint, plants, and garden supplies.
Fledge provides wrap-around assistance for 18–35-year-olds - from teaching daily living skills to supporting residents with mental health needs and providing a mentorship programme. The transformation of this space will ensure a safe and welcoming place to live for its new residents.
While B&Q supports communities all through the year with fundraising and product donations, it gives an extra push in September through its Community Days programme, donating 23,450 hours in total to give nearly 586,000 people a better space (2023 and 2024). Previous projects have included donating and refreshing the outdoor areas of a palliative care hospital and a women’s shelter, and redecorating care and wellbeing centres in Locks Heath and New Milton.
Commenting on the project, Jo Curtis, Community Manager at B&Q said: “Our Community Days programme is an important one for B&Q in supporting local communities and giving colleagues across our business the opportunity to help improve a space for a charity local to their store.
“It’s been great to launch this year’s programme of activity, which will involve colleagues across over 300 stores and at our head office supporting a charity local to them, by starting with this huge project to support Fledge – a charity local to our head office. Our colleagues have loved getting involved and have brought their expertise, alongside product donations, to make a big and lasting impact on a group of young people’s lives.”
Nerissa Dean, CEO of Fledge said: “We are delighted by the support from B&Q, which has enabled us to refurbish a new home for the young adults we serve. This project has not only completed the refurbishment work themselves, but also ensured the property is fully equipped with everything our residents might need. This new space will provide safety, stability and most importantly, a place for the residents to truly call their own. For many of the young people we support, it will be the first time they have experienced such security.
“Thanks to this generous and practical support, we can now provide another home for more young adults, sooner. It also frees up valuable time and resources for our staff to focus on what matters most: helping each young person take meaningful steps towards independence, confidence and fulfilling lives.”
ENDS
About B&Q:
B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer with over 318 stores throughout the UK and Ireland, offering great prices, with over 2 million products available to order at diy.com for home delivery or click and collect.
For trade professionals, B&Q TradePoint offers exclusive membership to those in trades such as electricians, plasterers, fitters, plumbers, roofers, decorators, joiners, tilers, builders, landscapers and facilities and maintenance professionals. TradePoint members have exclusive access to dedicated TradePoint counters at around 200 B&Q stores as well as to Tradepoint.co.uk.
B&Q launched the UK’s first home improvement marketplace in March 2022, adding additional choice for consumers. The marketplace offers a unique, integrated experience with in-store returns for many products and Click + Collect options being explored.
Their team of more than 20,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nationwide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
Every year, more than 20 million people improve their homes and make life better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable operations and sourcing, and supports our local communities, including funding B&Q Foundation grants and Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit diy.com/corporate/community or to read our Build a Life Project annual report visit diy.com/responsible-business
B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company, operating 2,000 stores in 8 countries across Europe.
Follow B&Q on LinkedIn
5 Septemeber 2025: B&Q has today opened its brand-new store at Merry Hill Shopping Centre in Dudley, the 10th new store this year which will employ 22 colleagues.
The new 23,000 square foot B&Q store, located at Merry Hill Shopping Centre in Dudley, has been remodelled and refreshed with B&Q branding and products. It offers a wide range of home improvement essentials, along with a dedicated TradePoint area to meet the needs of local trade professionals.
In addition to over 12,000 essential home improvement products, there’ll be a dedicated timber cutting service, B&Q’s popular Valspar paint mixing service, and a garden centre offering outdoor plants and gardening equipment.
Items in store will be ready for click and collect from as little as 15 minutes and customers will also have access to an additional 22,500 product lines through B&Q’s next-day Click & Collect service.
Colleagues celebrated the opening today with live music from the Gershwin Gang, surprise and delight activities for its first customers including a free plant and gift card, a visit from the Dulux dog, and a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by the Deputy Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Mushtaq Hussain.
B&Q Merry Hill opened at 9am on Friday 5 September at Merry Hill Shopping Centre, Brierley Hill, Dudley, DY5 1SY.
Justin Willis, B&Q Divisional Director for Central who attended the opening said:
“We are really happy to have opened our new Merry Hill store today, bringing our extensive range of B&Q and TradePoint home improvement products and services to our new customers and giving them more choice and convenience.
“We can’t wait to welcome the local community into the store and help them with their DIY projects.”
Jonathan Poole, Centre Manager at Merry Hill, said: "It’s great to welcome another well-known household name to Merry Hill as the centre goes from strength to strength. We’re especially excited to see B&Q join our line-up at the Lower Retail Park where the retailer line-up is once again complete.
"This new store broadens the choice and convenience available to our visitors, and also strengthens Merry Hill’s position as a vibrant destination at the heart of the community. B&Q’s arrival marks another step forward in our commitment to creating a truly complete shopping experience, all in one place."
Opening times:
Opening day only: Friday 5 September - 9am-8pm
Monday – Saturday: 7am-8pm
Sunday: 10am-4pm.
For more information, as well as inspirational ideas and practical advice on home improvement, visit DIY.com.
END
Notes to editors
For more information contact b-and-q-press@wearetheromans.com
About B&Q
B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer with over 300 stores throughout the UK and Ireland, offering great prices, with over 700,000 products available to order at diy.com for home delivery or click and collect.
For trade professionals, B&Q TradePoint offers exclusive membership to those in trades such as electricians, plasterers, fitters, plumbers, roofers, decorators, joiners, tilers, builders, landscapers and facilities and maintenance professionals. TradePoint members have exclusive access to dedicated TradePoint counters at around 200 B&Q stores as well as to Tradepoint.co.uk.
B&Q launched the UK’s first home improvement marketplace in March 2022, adding additional choice for consumers. The marketplace offers a unique, integrated experience with in-store returns for many products and Click + Collect options being explored.
Their team of more than 21,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nationwide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
Every year, more than 20 million people improve their homes and make life better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable operations and sourcing, and supports our local communities, including funding B&Q Foundation grants and Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit diy.com/corporate/community or to read our Build a Life Project annual report visit diy.com/responsible-business
B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company, operating 2,000 stores in 8 countries across Europe.
Follow B&Q on LinkedIn
26 August 2025: B&Q has announced it will open its brand-new store in Merry Hill on Friday 5 September 2025. Colleagues from the new store marked the upcoming opening by supporting local charity, Black County Foodbank, to refresh and repaint areas at its warehouse.
The day is part of B&Q’s wider Community Days programme, where volunteers from local B&Q stores nationwide support their local community by improving a charity space, making a positive difference across the communities B&Q serves.
Black Country Foodbank is a charitable organisation in Dudley dedicated to supporting individuals and families facing hardship by providing essential food and toiletry parcels, helping ensure those in crisis have access to basic necessities.
Steven Ritchie, Unit Manager at the new B&Q store, said: “We’re thrilled to be opening the doors to our brand-new B&Q store in Merry Hill. The team is excited to welcome customers in to store and showcase everything the new store has to offer.
“My colleagues and I are proud to celebrate the launch of our new store by teaming up with Black Country Foodbank to refresh their warehouse, a space that plays a vital role in supporting individuals and families that use it.”
The new 23,000 square foot B&Q store, located at Merry Hill Shopping Centre in Dudley, will offer a wide range of home improvement essentials. In addition to over 12,000 essential home improvement products, there’ll be a dedicated timber cutting service, B&Q’s popular Valspar paint mixing service, and a garden centre offering outdoor plants and gardening equipment.
Items in store will be ready for click and collect from as little as 15 minutes and customers will also have access to an additional 22,500 product lines through B&Q’s next-day Click & Collect service.
The new B&Q Merry Hill store will employ 22 colleagues.
The Grand Opening of B&Q Merry Hill will be on Friday 5 September 2025 and will be located at Merry Hill Shopping Centre, Time Square Avenue, Brierley Hill, Dudley, West Midlands DY5 1SY.
The first 100 customers making an in-store purchase on Friday 5 September will receive one free garden plant (subject to availability and conditions). Other Grand Opening day activities include live music, surprise and delight activities, and the Dulux dog will also be greeting customers.
Opening times:
Opening day only: Friday 5 September 2025 - 9am-8pm
Monday – Saturday: 7am-8pm
Sunday: 10am-4pm.
For more information, as well as inspirational ideas and practical advice on home improvement, visit DIY.com.
ENDS
Notes to editors
For more information, email lucy.bookham2@b-and-q.co.uk
About B&Q
B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer with over 318 stores throughout the UK and Ireland, offering great prices, with over 2 million products available to order at diy.com for home delivery or click and collect.
For trade professionals, B&Q TradePoint offers exclusive membership to those in trades such as electricians, plasterers, fitters, plumbers, roofers, decorators, joiners, tilers, builders, landscapers and facilities and maintenance professionals. TradePoint members have exclusive access to dedicated TradePoint counters at around 200 B&Q stores as well as to Tradepoint.co.uk.
B&Q launched the UK’s first home improvement marketplace in March 2022, adding additional choice for consumers. The marketplace offers a unique, integrated experience with in-store returns for many products and Click + Collect options being explored.
Their team of more than 21,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nationwide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
Every year, more than 20 million people improve their homes and make life better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable operations and sourcing, and supports our local communities, including funding B&Q Foundation grants and Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit https://www.diy.com/corporate/community
B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company, operating over 1,900 stores in 8 countries across Europe.
- B&Q launches a pilot of a new Click and Collect service for customers buying from third-party sellers at B&Q’s Marketplace - diy.com
- A first for a UK marketplace, customers will have the convenience of buying products from third-party sellers at diy.com for collection, from next day, at their local B&Q store
- The pilot is starting at Fareham store, and will be followed by a wider, phased rollout across 300 B&Q stores
- The new Click and Collect service complements the return-to-store service, already available to customers at diy.com, to return purchases from third-party sellers at B&Q stores
- B&Q’s Marketplace offers customers the choice of over 2 million home improvement and garden products from over 2,000 third-party sellers
22 July 2025: B&Q, the UK's leading home improvement and garden living retailer, has announced the launch of a new Click and Collect service for customers ordering products from third-party marketplace sellers at diy.com. A first for a UK marketplace, the new service gives customers the option to buy products from third-party sellers at diy.com for collection at their local B&Q store from next day.
A pilot of the new Click and Collect service for B&Q Marketplace orders is starting at B&Q Fareham store. Following its success, B&Q plan to extend the service to 300 B&Q stores through a phased roll out.
With the launch of this new integrated Click and Collect service for purchases from third-party sellers, B&Q is setting a new standard in customer order fulfilment, with the aim of providing greater flexibility, speed, and convenience for its customers.
The new service makes it easier for customers to complete their home improvement projects by combining their B&Q Marketplace orders with their in-store purchases. As well as expanding B&Q’s omni-channel proposition for customers, the Click and Collect service complements the return-to-store service already available to customers for purchases from third-party sellers. This new initiative reflects B&Q's ongoing commitment to leveraging technology and a customer-centric approach to give home improvers the choice and convenience they deserve.
Virginia Wakefield, E-commerce Director, B&Q said: “It’s great to be launching this new service and to be extending our in-store collection services to customers buying from B&Q’s third-party Marketplace sellers at diy.com. Around 90% of our customers begin their shopping experience on the web, and we're seeing strong conversion of digital customers into store footfall as a result.
“Marketplace Click and Collect will give our customers even more convenience by further seamlessly integrating the online and in-store shopping experience. Our third-party sellers benefit too by being able to offer their customers more delivery options and access to customers who prefer to pick up their orders in store."
B&Q’s Marketplace Click and Collect service brings a number of benefits for customers by making it easy for them to collect their purchases at a time and place that suits them. This gives greater flexibility for customers who may not be available to receive home deliveries and can mean customers get their products faster.
Third party sellers at B&Q’s Marketplace also benefit from the new service by being able to offer their customers an additional reliable and efficient fulfilment option, as well as giving them access to customers who prefer to collect their deliveries in stores.
Customers shopping at diy.com will see the Click and Collect option available for selected products from third-party sellers. Upon completing their purchase, customers will be able to choose their preferred B&Q store location for collection. Once the order is ready, customers will receive a notification to visit the store to pick up their items from the same dedicated in-store collection area from where they pick up their orders for products sold by B&Q. Returns can also be made through a marketplace customer’s local B&Q store.
Since its launch in March 2022, B&Qs Marketplace has seen strong growth reaching 45% of B&Qs e-commerce sales in Q1 2025/26. B&Qs e-commerce sales increased by 17% year-on-year across 2024/25 representing 15% of B&Q’s total sales.
Ends
B&Q Press Office
The Romans on 020 3878 4555 or email b-and-q-press@wearetheromans.com.
About B&Q
B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer with over 300 stores throughout the UK and Ireland, offering great prices, with over 2 m products available to order at diy.com for home delivery or click and collect.
For trade professionals, B&Q TradePoint offers exclusive membership to those in trades such as electricians, plasterers, fitters, plumbers, roofers, decorators, joiners, tilers, builders, landscapers and facilities and maintenance professionals. TradePoint members have exclusive access to dedicated TradePoint counters at around 200 B&Q stores as well as to Tradepoint.co.uk.
B&Q launched the UK’s first home improvement Marketplace in March 2022, adding additional choice for consumers. The Marketplace offers a unique, integrated experience with in-store returns for many products and, as of July 2025, Click + Collect options too. B&Q’s Marketplace at diy.com offers over 2 million products from over 2,000 third-party sellers alongside products for sale from B&Q.
Their team of more than 21,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nationwide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
Every year, more than 20 million people improve their homes and make life better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable operations and sourcing, and supports our local communities, including funding B&Q Foundation grants and Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit https://www.diy.com/corporate/community
B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company, operating over 1,900 stores in 7 countries across Europe.
Connect with us at: B&Q LI
7th August, 2025: Today, new insights from B&Q reveal Gen Z tradespeople see a career in trade as a savvy business move. Over a third (39%) of young tradespeople chose the profession for its good career opportunities - as well as it being a platform to channel entrepreneurial spirit with 30% seeing it as an opportunity to start their own business (30%).
However, whilst 17% of Gen Z are in trade to some extent, even as a ‘side hustle’, fewer young people are coming into the workforce and opportunities to enter the trade are potentially reduced due to a lack of SME apprenticeship options.
Data reveals 44% of Gen Z tradespeople hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent higher education qualification - highlighting a career in trade to be an ambitious and rewarding one for university graduates. This figure compares to only 12% of Boomers in the trade sector who possess a degree - a generation who typically went through the apprenticeship route to entry.
Yet, despite positive signs, there is still some way to go to ensure the trade industry is future-proofed and the apparent 47% of young people who reportedly have not considered working in the trade, are made aware of its exciting prospects.
Alongside university education as a route to the industry, more emphasis must be placed on improving apprenticeships. The results found the disappearance of many apprenticeship positions is undoubtedly hindering new recruitment and training, with just over half of tradespeople (52%) reporting it’s one of the biggest challenges to the industry. Since 2021 apprenticeships available to those wishing to enter the trades have experienced a 7% decrease*, despite 70% of trade claiming they would be happy to take on an apprentice.
B&Q is working to combat this by investing in initiatives to help support smaller businesses recruit and train trade apprentices, since the beginning of 2025/26 B&Q has donated over £1 million through the ‘Transfer to Transform’ scheme. In addition to this, B&Q has worked alongside Trade Point UK to launch ‘Do the Lift Thing’ – a campaign that showcases women trade professionals and provides a call to action for more girls and women to choose a trade profession.
The path for women entering the trades is even more challenging. With only 57% of respondents believing that the trade is welcoming towards them, there is a clear gap needing to be addressed. Nearly three-quarters (73%) of tradespeople back initiatives to improve this gap, such as a ‘return to work’ scheme specifically designed to support female participation in the sector.
John Morgan, Director TradePoint UK, says: “A career in trade is one filled with immense opportunity and purpose - and one that could take you all over the world! With three teenage children myself, I always encourage them to consider the trades as a solid and rewarding path against a background of uncertainty in the job market.
Whilst it’s very encouraging to see the pattern of university graduates joining the trade industry, we must also focus on the fact that we need more people to enter the trade and to provide opportunities including apprenticeships for those who haven’t chosen that route. Industry players and Government must act to evolve and expand the apprenticeship offerings available - in order to improve accessibility to secure a skilled workforce for the future."
Separate research undertaken by Kingfisher *, found that by 2030, the UK needs at least 250k more tradespeople, a figure calculated before the increased plans for housebuilding under the new government. This workforce challenge also has implications for other parts of the economy, such as the roll out of green energy improvements to domestic property.
77% of trades see the lack of skilled labour as critical to their business thriving and they consistently identify apprenticeships as the solution to this problem. However, 9 in 10 tradespeople say that apprentices are vital to the future of the industry, but only 18% have hired one.
Footnote:
*Source: Kingfisher research
*Source: ONS, Construction News, FT.com
About B&Q:
B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer with over 300 stores throughout the UK and Ireland, offering great prices, with over 700,000 products available to order at diy.com for home delivery or click and collect.
For trade professionals, B&Q TradePoint offers exclusive membership to those in trades such as electricians, plasterers, fitters, plumbers, roofers, decorators, joiners, tilers, builders, landscapers and facilities and maintenance professionals. TradePoint members have exclusive access to dedicated TradePoint counters at around 200 B&Q stores as well as to Tradepoint.co.uk.
B&Q launched the UK’s first home improvement marketplace in March 2022, adding additional choice for consumers. The marketplace offers a unique, integrated experience with in-store returns for many products and Click + Collect options being explored.
Their team of more than 21,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nationwide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
Every year, more than 20 million people improve their homes and make life better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable operations and sourcing, and supports our local communities, including funding B&Q Foundation grants and Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit diy.com/corporate/community or to read our Build a Life Project annual report visit diy.com/responsible-business
B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company, operating 2,000 stores in 8 countries across Europe.
Follow B&Q on LinkedIn
#DoTheLiftThing
ACCLAIMED PHOTOGRAPHER SANE SEVEN AND B&Q SPOTLIGHT TRADE ROLE MODELS THIS INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
- Acclaimed photographer Sane Seven is highlighting female tradespeople in new a campaign with B&Q for International Women’s Day
- The campaign comes as research from the home improvement retailer reveals a lack of women role models is a critical barrier to girls and women choosing to be trade professionals
- Three-quarters of girls leaving school aren’t aware of any women who work in the trade sector
- Half of girls surveyed between the ages of 16-18 don’t believe they receive the same career opportunities in trade industry as boys
- With the UK facing a shortfall of 250,000 tradespeople by 2030(2) and only 2% of people working in trades are women(2), B&Q is committed to encouraging as many women as possible to explore careers in trade and has pledged £1 million to fund trade apprenticeships
7th March, 2025: Internationally acclaimed photographer Sane Seven has joined forces with home improvement retailer B&Q to highlight powerful women in the trade profession. Renowned for capturing intimate depictions of cultural icons and influential female leaders, Sane Seven’s portfolio includes portraits of Helena Bonham Carter, Jodie Whittaker, and Angela Merkel.
In honour of International Women’s Day, Sane has partnered with B&Q to capture stylised and juxtaposed imagery of 10 tradeswomen who are role models within their field, portrayed in a contemporary group shot as well as individual portraits.
The striking portraits of the 10 tradeswomen are captured in a symbolic yet stylish lift set, which serves as a metaphor for sending the lift back down to help others rise. The resulting collection has been titled ‘Do The Lift Thing’, symbolising the new movement of female professionals in the trade industry, and elevating the female role models to help lift the barriers to women and girls entering the trades.
Speaking about the campaign, photographer Sane Seven said: “Gender balance is the destination, and the lift is the process. To achieve balance, we need to lift barriers and elevate role models. When people rise to success, it’s important to send the lift down to help others, rather than keeping it to protect the ‘penthouse’ of success. This is how we achieve balance.”
The current lack of role models is a critical barrier to girls and women choosing a trade profession. In fact, research from B&Q’s parent company Kingfisher plc revealed that only a small fraction of trade professionals are currently women (2%)*.
Speaking about the campaign, B&Q Director, Amelie Gallichan-Todd, said: “With only 2% of trade professionals being women(2), B&Q is committed to tackling this gender imbalance and has pledged £1 million to fund trade apprentices across a variety of sectors, including carpentry, plumbing, painting and decorating - amongst others. This initiative aims to break down barriers and create more opportunities for women in trades, fostering a more inclusive and diverse workforce.
“I’m a firm believer that 'you cannot be what you cannot see' and so through the ‘Do the lift thing’ campaign, we’re elevating more role models for girls and women to look up to in the trade sector. By showcasing successful women in these roles, we hope to inspire the next generation to pursue careers in trades, challenging stereotypes and changing perceptions.”
Additionally, B&Q research highlighted that three-quarters of 16-to-18-year-olds are unaware of any women currently working as a tradesperson. Yet, over half of all respondents who considered a career in the industry believe seeing more women in trade professions would have convinced them to pursue it.
In addition to the photography, the campaign also shows the power of female mentorship in action, with a short film which showcases women and girls collaborating to build the photography set. The film shows the girls talking about their enjoyment of typically ‘boyish’ activities and how this inspires them to consider choosing a trade profession.
B&Q has pledged £1 million to support the trades by funding trade apprentices across a variety of trades, including carpentry, plumbing, painting and decorating, plumbing, and electricians, amongst others. In 2024, the company committed to building a better balance in the trades by encouraging more women to take up the funding - to date, only two women have taken up the funding, compared to over 100 men.
ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT:
For more information, please contact: B&Q press office:
E: b-and-q-press@wearetheromans.com
NOTES FOR EDITORS
To help uncover the barriers preventing women from entering trade professions, B&Q undertook research in August 2024 and the ‘Do the lift thing’ campaign is built on insights from the research findings.
*B&Q's Women in Trade research revealed that a critical barrier to girls choosing a Trade career is the lack of role models for girls to look up to in the sector, with three-quarters of 16-to-18-year-olds saying they’re unaware of any women currently working as a tradesperson. Over half of all respondents who considered a career in the industry believe seeing more women in trade professions would have convinced them to pursue it.
The research also reveals that girls leaving school still feel excluded from the Trade industry.
The data shows that:
- Half of girls surveyed between 16-18 years old believe boys receive more opportunities to enter the sector that they do.
- 16–18-year-old girls top three reasons for avoiding a Trade career are:
- A lack of information provided by their school (37%)
- The feeling that the industry is too male-dominated (27%) or too intimidating (23%)
- A lack of apprenticeship options (21%)
- The concern that they weren’t physically strong enough (19%)
Kingfisher’s September 2023 Research findings - UK to lose out on £98bn of growth by 2030 due to shortage of tradespeople – Kingfisher plc
About B&Q:
B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer with over 300 stores throughout the UK and Ireland, offering great prices, with over 1.2 M products available to order at diy.com for home delivery or click and collect.
For trade professionals, B&Q TradePoint offers exclusive membership to those in trades such as electricians, plasterers, fitters, plumbers, roofers, decorators, joiners, tilers, builders, landscapers and facilities and maintenance professionals. TradePoint members have exclusive access to dedicated TradePoint counters at around 200 B&Q stores as well as to Tradepoint.co.uk.
B&Q launched the UK’s first home improvement marketplace in March 2022, adding additional choice for consumers. The marketplace offers a unique, integrated experience with in-store returns for many products and Click + Collect options being explored.
Their team of more than 21,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nationwide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
Every year, more than 20 million people improve their homes and make life better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable operations and sourcing, and supports our local communities, including funding B&Q Foundation grants and Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit diy.com/corporate/community or to read our Build a Life Project annual report visit diy.com/responsible-business
B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company, operating 2,000 stores in 8 countries across Europe.
Follow B&Q on LinkedIn
B&Q increases hourly rate of pay to £12.71 per hour
- B&Q to increase minimum pay by 4.1% to £12.71 per hour, 50p more than the National Living Wage
- £12.71 per hour is one of the highest base national rates of any major UK retailer
4 March 2025, Today, B&Q, the leading home improvement and garden living retailer, has announced it will be increasing its UK minimum hourly rate to £12.71 per hour, and its London rate to up to £14.05 per hour.
Starting from April 2025, over 15,000 B&Q colleagues will get an extra 50p per hour – worth over £955.50 more a year for a full-time colleague. The increase will be paid in full from 1st April and not staggered across the year.
The new rates are among the highest of all major UK retailers. The minimum rate is well ahead of the UK Government's 2025 National Living Wag (£12.21 per hour), and 11p per hour above the Real Living Wage (£12.60 per hour).
Whilst the government’s minimum wages differ by age, B&Q – as a multigenerational employer – believes everyone deserves the same pay for the work they do regardless of age. B&Q will therefore pay the same minimum hourly rate to all colleagues aged 18 years old and over. This includes apprentices, who receive the same pay as other colleagues doing the same role.
Graham Bell, CEO, B&Q said: “We’re delighted to further recognise the exceptional value, commitment, and performance delivered by our colleagues every day.
We pride ourselves on having one of the UK retail sector’s most competitive pay positions. We believe rewarding our colleagues fairly is a critical part of delivering growth for our business and continually improving the experience we provide for our customers. We also remain committed to supporting our colleagues’ professional development through our training offering – including our apprenticeship scheme which has already been completed by over 2,000 colleagues.
These initiatives all contribute to our ambition to make B&Q a great place to work with a high-performance culture that delivers for our customers.”
Colleagues at B&Q are eligible for a number of benefits, including family leave, an award winning pension scheme with up to 14% employer contributions, access to shopping discounts with a number of other retailers and entertainment brands, wellbeing support and a Colleague Support Fund via our Retail Trust partnership, as well as 20% off products sold by B&Q.
Ends
B&Q backs sustainability report to help UK households reach net zero
- New report reveals top recommendations for government and businesses to support householders to deliver emission reductions – including in relation to home energy and heating
- Wide-ranging study from environmental charity informed by funding and expertise from B&Q and other well-known household brands
- 76% of homeowners polled believe that businesses need to support households to do their bit for climate change
{Wednesday 12th February 2025} Today, environmental charity Hubbub, launches ‘Home Advantage’, a blueprint for government and businesses to support UK households to live more sustainably. The report draws on the findings of an in-depth study working closely with 175 UK homeowners over three months, supported by polling of 501 UK homeowners.
While the recommendations are made by Hubbub, the Home Advantage study has been supported by B&Q and a cohort of businesses, Barratt Redrow PLC, Starbucks UK, TSB, Unilever UK and Virgin Media O2, who provided funding for the study, as well as lending their subject matter expertise and insights from their sector.
The study provided participants with advice and inspiration to encourage them to make sustainable changes in their homes, and provide input on what external support would be most useful in helping them advance their sustainable efforts further. As a result, the research reflects a wide range of everyday habits - from the food we eat, to the things we buy and throw away, as well as home energy and heating.
The report highlights the role businesses play in household action, with 76% of homeowners polled revealing that they believe businesses need to support households to do their bit for climate change and help balance emissions. While a further 75% of households polled revealed they are open to making changes to how they live to help do their bit for climate change and help balance emissions, with the right help and support from business and government. The mission of the project is to understand how households can be supported to make the sustainable changes they want, to create homes and ways of living that are fit for the future.
Household action on climate change is an essential part of the combined effort needed from all corners of society to reach net zero, including businesses and government too. In 2022, the Climate Change Committee revealed that 32% of the emission reductions needed between now and 2035 to meet net zero, rely on the choices made by households, demonstrating the essential role household actions play in the combined effort to reach net zero.
The aim of the report is to understand how households can be supported to make the sustainable changes they want, to create homes and ways of living that are fit for the future.
Commenting on the reports launch, Gavin Ellis, Director and Co-Founder at Hubbub said: “We’ve listened carefully to homeowners across the country, and we are encouraged by the overwhelming appetite to act. Householders have told us they want to know where to start, what will make the biggest difference, how much it will cost, what the wider benefits will be and how others will also play their part. We’ve identified a range of recommendations for government and business to support people to live more sustainably. We believe this challenge requires a radical rethink of how these issues are presented to the public to stimulate a step change in demand for sustainable choices. Applying the overarching principles from this report alone could help the UK to make huge strides towards the third of emissions reduction required by 2035 that relies on the decisions of households."
Joanna Gluzman, Director of Responsible Business at B&Q echoed this “We welcome the findings of the research that shows a willingness by consumers to do more to make their homes more sustainable and identifies the most effective ways for Government and business to help households to make more sustainable choices for their homes.
There’s a clear need for certainty and consistency in giving homeowners a roadmap of home efficiency measures, along with simplicity in communication to build trust and drive action, and financial incentives to overcome cost barriers, such as those for home energy improvements.
What is also clear is the need for a holistic and integrated approach. For example, simplifying EPC certificates to make them more practical and understandable would help households choose appropriate home energy improvements, which in turn would drive greater demand for skilled and trusted tradespeople, who are already in short supply in the UK.”
Home Energy and Heating Recommendations:
The insights from Home Advantage have helped create a number of policy recommendations for government and businesses in the home energy and heating sector. These include:
1. Build household willingness and confidence to make energy upgrades (see Pg 57)
2. Improve the end-to-end experience for homeowners making home energy upgrades (see page 58)
3. Tackle trust and skills gaps in the supply chain (see Page 58)
For access to the full report, please visit: https://bit.ly/hubbubhomeadvantage
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For more information, please contact:
UK - B&Q press office: E: b-and-q-press@wearetheromans.com
Notes to editors
1. Hubbub commissioned research by Censuswide, with 501 homeowners aged 25 or over in the UK, with a household income of £50,000 or more, that somewhat agree or neither agree nor disagree that they consider themselves as someone who cares about the environment, between 16.01.2025 - 22.01.2025. Censuswide abide by and employ members of the Market Research Society which is based on the ESOMAR principles and are members of The British Polling Council.
2. House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee report, published October 2022: “In our hands: behaviour change for client and environmental goals”
3. Climate Change Committee published December 2020: ‘Sixth Carbon Budget’
About Home Advantage
It is a blueprint of recommendations of how businesses and governments can help households go further to live sustainably. Home Advantage sought to identify what actions households can take, to contribute towards net zero, and where they need more support. Home Advantage brought together 175 households from August to October 2024, from across the UK via a three-month online research and engagement project. Hubbub provided households with trusted tips and inspiration to help them be able to make changes at home and get their say on what kind of support would help them go further. From home energy upgrades to easy plant-based swaps, to how to extend the life of their clothing.
Hubbub, in collaboration with a cohort of businesses, including B&Q, Barratt Redrow PLC, Starbucks UK, TSB, Unilever UK and VMO2, gathered an in-depth understanding of the most impactful changes at home and what people are most willing and able to take. Please see below for how each funder was involved in their own specific areas of expertise:
- B&Q - in relation to household energy use and helping households undertake home energy upgrades
- Barratt Redrow PLC - in relation to household energy use and helping households buy sustainable homes.
- Starbucks - in relation to the food that households eat.
- TSB - in relation to household energy use and helping households finance home energy upgrades.
- Unilever UK - in relation to household food consumption and consumption of the items we buy and use, such as clothing care and helping households make their clothes last for longer.
- Virgin Media O2 - in relation to household electronic use and helping households repair and recycle electronics or opt for refurbished items.
About the methodology: Home Advantage is primarily a qualitative study - this means it aims to understand in depth the range and nuances of attitudes and behaviours across the different types of households represented in the sample of 175 households. All participants were homeowners aged 25 or over in the UK, with a household income of £50,000 or more. Households mostly engaged via WhatsApp groups and via a private Facebook group discussing key topics and sharing their views. Each theme began with a tips pack of ideas, advice and actions to try. Each WhatsApp group had a Hubbub moderator who used open questions and prompts throughout to build engagement, achieving high participation levels across the households. Polls and surveys were also used to validate sentiment and add variety to the activities. Following the conclusion of the Home Advantage live period, a wider poll was conducted with 501 households, recruited to the same criteria as the core Home Advantage audience, to further validate and quantify key findings from the qualitative phase.
About B&Q:
B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer with over 300 stores throughout the UK and Ireland, offering great prices, with over 700,000 products available to order at diy.com for home delivery or click and collect.
For trade professionals, B&Q TradePoint offers exclusive membership to those in trades such as electricians, plasterers, fitters, plumbers, roofers, decorators, joiners, tilers, builders, landscapers and facilities and maintenance professionals. TradePoint members have exclusive access to dedicated TradePoint counters at around 200 B&Q stores as well as to Tradepoint.co.uk.
B&Q launched the UK’s first home improvement marketplace in March 2022, adding additional choice for consumers. The marketplace offers a unique, integrated experience with in-store returns for many products and Click + Collect options being explored.
Their team of more than 21,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nationwide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
Every year, more than 20 million people improve their homes and make life better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable operations and sourcing, and supports our local communities, including funding B&Q Foundation grants and Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit diy.com/corporate/community or to read our Build a Life Project annual report visit diy.com/responsible-business
B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company, operating 2,000 stores in 8 countries across Europe.
Follow B&Q on LinkedIn
About Hubbub
Hubbub is an award-winning creative charity that inspires action that’s good for the environment and for everyone. We work to revolutionise communications with the public on environmental issues: forming unique collaborations across business and communities and using behavioural insights, everyday language, and good design to make environmental choices desirable and more possible. Hubbub’s work taps into topics people are passionate about and can create big impact such as food, fashion, our homes and communities. Hubbub has twice been awarded Charity of the Year at the prestigious Charity Times Awards, in 2023 and 2020. Since 2014, Hubbub has delivered more than 199 environmental campaigns in collaboration with over 2,630 partners, helping to shift the national debate on key environmental issues such as food waste, sustainable fashion, reuse and sustainable diets. Hubbub’s campaigns include #InTheLoop which initially brought together 25 of the UK’s largest companies to boost recycling on the high street and through a replicable toolkit has now expanded across seven cities, a 3-year partnership with IKEA to create the world’s largest customer-facing sustainability campaign ‘Live LAGOM’ and creating a network of over 650 (and counting) Community Fridges across the UK which, in 2023, shared 18 million meals worth of surplus food over 2.5 million visits.
Instagram: @helloHubbub
LinkedIn: Hubbub-UK
Twitter: @hubbubuk
Facebook: @HubbubUK
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B&Q increases number of products available for on demand delivery at Deliveroo, adding five larger London stores
3 February 2025: Today, B&Q has announced the expansion of its trial with Deliveroo, adding five of its larger London stores, to give customers access to a bigger range of over 9500 products for on demand delivery in as little as 25 minutes. This follows the launch of the service from B&Qs smaller high street stores, B&Q Locals, in August 2024.
From today, customers local to Beckton, Sidcup, Watford, Acton and Romford, will be able to order products for rapid delivery from these larger B&Q stores. They will have a wider choice of B&Q products available to order at Deliveroo, with the range having been extended to include a larger selection of paint brands, gardening, storage and home furnishing products and more.
Amelie Gallichan-Todd, Supply and Logistics Director B&Q, said: “We’re constantly looking at ways we can enhance the experience of our customers, and by extending our service with Deliveroo to five of our larger stores, we’re increasing the range of products available, to help meet the increasing consumer demand for speed and convenience as well as options for delivery.
Suzy McClintock, VP of New Verticals at Deliveroo said: "We are delighted to expand our partnership with B&Q, adding five larger stores allowing us to deliver thousands of DIY products to even more customers' doors across London. Our customers value the convenience of ordering everything from masking tape and dust sheets to spanners and paint for on-demand delivery, enabling them to continue their projects without delay.”
ENDS
About B&Q:
B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer with over 300 stores throughout the UK and Ireland, offering great prices, with over 1.2m products available to order at diy.com for home delivery or click and collect.
For trade professionals, B&Q TradePoint offers exclusive membership to those in trades such as electricians, plasterers, fitters, plumbers, roofers, decorators, joiners, tilers, builders, landscapers and facilities and maintenance professionals. TradePoint members have exclusive access to dedicated TradePoint counters at over 200 B&Q stores as well as to Tradepoint.co.uk.
B&Q launched the UK’s first home improvement marketplace in March 2022, adding additional choice for consumers. The marketplace offers a unique, integrated experience with in-store returns for many products and Click + Collect options being explored.
The team of more than 21,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nationwide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
Every year, more than 20 million people improve their homes and make life better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable operations and sourcing, and supports our local communities, including funding B&Q Foundation grants and Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit diy.com/corporate/community or to read our Build a Life Project annual report visit diy.com/responsible-business
B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company, operating 2,000 stores in 8 countries across Europe.
Follow B&Q on LinkedIn
About Deliveroo:
Deliveroo is an award-winning delivery service founded in 2013 by William Shu and Greg Orlowski. Deliveroo works with approximately 186,000 best-loved restaurants, grocers and retail partners, as well as around 135,000 riders to provide the best on-demand delivery experience in the world. Deliveroo is headquartered in London, with offices around the globe. Deliveroo operates across 10 markets, including Belgium, France, Hong Kong, Italy, Ireland, Kuwait, Qatar, Singapore, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.
Further information regarding Deliveroo is available on the Company's website at https://corporate.deliveroo.co.uk/.
B&Q to buy five Homebase stores in the UK
6 January 2025: B&Q announces today that it has reached agreement to acquire five leasehold stores in the UK, currently trading as Homebase, for a total purchase price of £2.5 m.
This follows the agreement to buy three stores currently trading as Homebase in the Republic of Ireland announced on 24 December 2024, and further complements and strengthens B&Q’s existing network of stores.
Following conversion to the B&Q banner, the five UK stores will have a combined total selling area of over 25,000 square metres and enable more customers to benefit from B&Q’s and TradePoint’s extensive offer of home improvement products and services, helping to make home improvement projects and trade jobs easier. This includes Kingfisher own exclusive brands, and B&Q’s leading customer propositions: kitchen and bathroom design and installations, TradePoint counters, timber cutting and paint mixing, access to an extended range of over 1.2 million home improvement products at diy.com, and click & collect and home and bulk delivery services at diy.com and trade-point.co.uk.
The agreement for the stores is subject to landlord approvals, with the expectation that the transactions will complete in the first quarter of Kingfisher FY 2025/26, and that the stores will start to be converted to the B&Q banner in Spring 2025. All conversions are expected to be completed by the end of calendar year 2025. Capital expenditure relating to the store acquisitions and fit-out costs will be incurred by B&Q in Kingfisher FY 2025/26.
On completion of the lease assignment, the employees at the stores will become employees of B&Q.
Graham Bell, CEO, B&Q, said: “We’re delighted to be buying these five stores, bringing a total of eight additional sites to our fantastic store network in the UK and Ireland. We’re determined to give home improvers the choice and convenience they deserve, and to transform the home improvement stores in these locations to fulfil that need.
“It’s a great way to be starting 2025! We look forward to swiftly concluding these purchases and converting the stores to the B&Q brand and offer, and to welcoming our new customers to the stores and new colleagues to the B&Q family.”
The five leasehold stores currently trading as Homebase and being purchased by B&Q Limited in the UK are:
- Homebase Altrincham
- Homebase Basingstoke
- Homebase Biggleswade
- Homebase Leamington Spa
- Homebase Worcester
B&Q announced on 24 December 2024 that B&Q Ireland Limited had reached agreement to buy three Homebase leasehold stores in the Republic of Ireland for a total purchase price of ca. £3.2m [1]. The three stores in the Republic of Ireland will add over 9,300 square metres selling space in the ROI. They are:
- Homebase Letterkenny
- Homebase Navan
- Homebase Waterford
[1] Approximate amount presented in GBP using the following exchange rate: EUR 1.21: GBP1.00.
ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT:
For more information, please contact:
UK - B&Q press office:
E: b-and-q-press@wearetheromans.com
About B&Q:
B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer with over 300 stores throughout the UK and Ireland, offering great prices, with over 700,000 products available to order at diy.com for home delivery or click and collect.
For trade professionals, B&Q TradePoint offers exclusive membership to those in trades such as electricians, plasterers, fitters, plumbers, roofers, decorators, joiners, tilers, builders, landscapers and facilities and maintenance professionals. TradePoint members have exclusive access to dedicated TradePoint counters at around 200 B&Q stores as well as to Tradepoint.co.uk.
B&Q launched the UK’s first home improvement marketplace in March 2022, adding additional choice for consumers. The marketplace offers a unique, integrated experience with in-store returns for many products and Click + Collect options being explored.
Their team of more than 21,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nationwide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
Every year, more than 20 million people improve their homes and make life better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable operations and sourcing, and supports our local communities, including funding B&Q Foundation grants and Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit diy.com/corporate/community or to read our Build a Life Project annual report visit diy.com/responsible-business
B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company, operating 2,000 stores in 8 countries across Europe.
Follow B&Q on LinkedIn
Tuesday 24th December 2024: B&Q Ireland Limited announces today that it has reached agreements to acquire three leasehold stores, currently trading as Homebase, in the Republic of Ireland for a total purchase price of ca. £3.2m [1].
The three stores complement B&Q’s existing network of eight stores in the Republic of Ireland, representing strategic additions to its estate. Following conversion to the B&Q banner, the stores will have a combined total selling area of over 9,300 square metres and enable more customers to benefit from B&Q’s and TradePoint’s extensive offer of home improvement products and services, helping to make home improvement projects and trade jobs easier. This includes Kingfisher own exclusive brands, and B&Q’s leading customer propositions: kitchen and bathroom design and installations, TradePoint counters, timber cutting and paint mixing, and click & collect and home and bulk delivery services at diy.ie.
The agreement for the stores is subject to landlord and customary regulatory approvals, with the expectation that the transactions will complete in the first quarter of Kingfisher FY 2025/26. B&Q will convert to its banner the first of these stores in the first half of next year and aims to complete the conversion of all sites by the end of calendar year 2025. Capital expenditure relating to the store acquisitions and fit-out costs will be incurred in Kingfisher FY 2025/26.
On completion of the acquisition, following a period of consultation with the employees at the three stores, they will become employees of B&Q.
Graham Bell, CEO, B&Q, said: “We’re delighted to be adding these three stores to our fantastic store network. We’re determined to give home improvers the choice and convenience they deserve, and these locations need a home improvement store that fulfils their need.
“We look forward to swiftly concluding the purchase and converting the stores to the B&Q brand and offer, and to welcoming our new customers to the stores and new colleagues to the B&Q family.”
The three Homebase leasehold stores being purchased by B&Q Ireland Limited are:
- Homebase Letterkenny
- Homebase Navan
- Homebase Waterford
[1] Approximate amount presented in GBP using the following exchange rate: EUR 1.21: GBP1.00.
ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT:
For more information, please contact:
UK - B&Q press office:
E: b-and-q-press@wearetheromans.com
ROI – B&Q press office: Rachel Sherry
E: rachel.sherry@grayling.com,
T: 00 353 (87) 662 2111
About B&Q:
B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer with over 300 stores throughout the UK and Ireland, offering great prices, with over 700,000 products available to order at diy.com for home delivery or click and collect.
For trade professionals, B&Q TradePoint offers exclusive membership to those in trades such as electricians, plasterers, fitters, plumbers, roofers, decorators, joiners, tilers, builders, landscapers and facilities and maintenance professionals. TradePoint members have exclusive access to dedicated TradePoint counters at around 200 B&Q stores as well as to Tradepoint.co.uk.
B&Q launched the UK’s first home improvement marketplace in March 2022, adding additional choice for consumers. The marketplace offers a unique, integrated experience with in-store returns for many products and Click + Collect options being explored.
Their team of more than 21,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nationwide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
Every year, more than 20 million people improve their homes and make life better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable operations and sourcing, and supports our local communities, including funding B&Q Foundation grants and Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit diy.com/corporate/community or to read our Build a Life Project annual report visit diy.com/responsible-business
B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company, operating 2,000 stores in 8 countries across Europe.
Follow B&Q on LinkedIn
Shattering the Picture-Perfect Festive Scene: B&Q and Shelter Reveal Harsh Reality of Temporary Accommodation at Christmas
- Latest government figures show that a record breaking 159,380 children will be spending this festive season in temporary accommodation, with many families facing dire living conditions
- As part of its ongoing partnership with Shelter, B&Q has created a series of snow globe baubles showcasing miniature scenes that reflect the harsh realities and challenges faced by many families living in temporary housing
- The alternative snow globes provide a sharp contrast to the traditional, cosy home scenes usually synonymous with Christmas
- This year has seen a record number of children stuck in damaging temporary accommodation, which is often grotty, miserable, and overcrowded
- The snow globes will be hung on trees at B&Q stores nationwide to highlight the impact homelessness can have on families
- B&Q is also donating £1 for every real Christmas tree sold to Shelter and hosting fundraising activities across stores nationwide as part of its ongoing partnership
Monday 2nd December: With over 17 million people across the UK due to purchase their Christmas trees this week, the nation is gearing up for a weekend of decorating and festivities*.
Latest government figures, released on 28th November 2024, show that 159,380 children across England are spending this winter in temporary accommodation** - the highest number on record.
To highlight the bleak and often inadequate conditions that many families are experiencing this Christmas, B&Q has partnered with Shelter and real families to create alternative snow globe scenes that shatter the illusion of festive perfection. These snow globe baubles are based on true accounts from families living in temporary accommodation.
The alternative snow globe scenes will be hung on trees at B&Q stores nationwide from this week. B&Q is donating £1 from every real tree sold to Shelter across the festive season and hosting fundraising activities across 311 stores throughout the UK from 6th - 8th December where customers can donate at checkout which will then be matched by B&Q. The retailer is also selling Shelter Christmas jumpers and cards with all proceeds donated to the charity.
When Lauren*** and her three sons became homeless, they were placed in a hotel room. She says, “It was one room with one double bed and two single beds. It had a tiny fridge freezer, which kept defrosting and you couldn’t really store anything in it, and a microwave which was absolutely filthy, and we didn’t use”
Aimee and her two young children faced similar issues of cleanliness in their hotel room. She explains, “On the day we moved in we found old chips and ketchup stuck to the windowsill. They had cockroaches, mice, beetles, bedbugs and a bee infestation. The water came out of the tap a dirty colour and the toilet backed up.”
Sam and his family were accommodated in a flat, but it was overrun with rodents and lacked basic amenities. He said, “We’ve got mice. We've got rats in the ceiling - running, fighting in the middle of the night. We had no electricity for two weeks, had no shower for about a month. It feels like I’m in a prison sometimes.”
Despite having mobility issues, mother of two, Grace was placed in temporary accommodation that didn’t take this into account. She explains, “We were offered temporary accommodation up three flights of stairs which was challenging as I was a wheelchair user at the time.”
The B&Q initiative was inspired by Shelter’s 'Living in Limbo' report that surveyed over 1,000 people living in temporary accommodation****. The report found that a devastating four in 10 (40%) reported problems with damp, mould or condensation, over a third (35%) had issues with insect or animal infestations and over half of parents (57%) say that living in temporary accommodation has harmed their child’s health.
Graham Bell, CEO of B&Q, says: “At B&Q, we believe everybody should have a safe and settled home - especially at Christmas. But sadly, that picture-perfect festive scene may not be the reality for many children and families living in temporary accommodation. Since launching our partnership in 2017, our colleagues and customers have raised more than £5 million for Shelter and their partner charities – Shelter Cymru, Housing Rights in Northern Ireland and Focus Ireland, and we are proud to be continuing our commitment to Shelter this Christmas.”
Polly Neate, Chief Executive of Shelter, says: “It is utterly unacceptable that so many families will spend the festive season homeless and trapped in overcrowded, damp, unsafe temporary accommodation. Sky high private rents combined with a dire shortage of genuinely affordable social homes has caused homelessness to spiral and sadly it’s children who are paying the price. Too many are growing up sharing beds with siblings, in one-room hostels infested with cockroaches, bedbugs, and rats, in conditions that harm their health and futures.
“At Shelter we are doing everything we can through our frontline services to support families facing homelessness this winter. We couldn’t do this vital work without the generosity of our partners like B&Q, whose donations allow us to provide the advice, support, and practical help families need to find and keep a safe place to call home and campaign for lasting change.”
To find your nearest B&Q to purchase your tree and help donate towards B&Q and Shelter’s shared mission, visit: https://www.diy.com/find-a-store.
B&Q also fully funds Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisor Service that helps people to gain fundamental DIY skills to build a positive future in their homes by sharing practical skills and supporting home improvement tasks after a prolonged period of homelessness. For more information on B&Q’s partnership with Shelter visit: https://www.diy.com/responsible-business/community/shelter.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
For more information, images and interview requests please contact b-and-q-press@wearetheromans.com
*Consumer research
OnePoll research based on 2008 respondents between 22.11.24 and 25.11.24
***Names have been changed in some instances on request from the contributors
****Shelter research
Other temporary accommodation statistics are taken from a Shelter survey of 1,112 households between May and August 2022. See our report, Still Living in Limbo: Why the use of temporary accommodation must end - Shelter England (March 2023) for more detail.
NB: Temporary accommodation is provided by councils to qualifying families who are homeless while they wait for their application to be processed and to be offered a suitable, settled home, and can take the form of emergency hostels, B&Bs, one-room bedsits and cramped flats. It was never intended to be used outside of emergencies, but with a shortage in social housing, it is often far from a temporary arrangement. Almost half (45%) of families who are homeless in temporary accommodation have been there for more than two years.
About B&Q:
B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer with over 300 stores throughout the UK and Ireland, offering great prices, with over 700,000 products available to order at diy.com for home delivery or click and collect.
For trade professionals, B&Q TradePoint offers exclusive membership to those in trades such as electricians, plasterers, fitters, plumbers, roofers, decorators, joiners, tilers, builders, landscapers and facilities and maintenance professionals. TradePoint members have exclusive access to dedicated TradePoint counters at around 200 B&Q stores as well as to Tradepoint.co.uk.
B&Q launched the UK’s first home improvement marketplace in March 2022, adding additional choice for consumers. The marketplace offers a unique, integrated experience with in-store returns for many products and Click + Collect options being explored.
Their team of more than 21,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nationwide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
Every year, more than 20 million people improve their homes and make life better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable operations and sourcing, and supports our local communities, including funding B&Q Foundation grants and Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit diy.com/corporate/community or to read our Build a Life Project annual report visit diy.com/responsible-business
B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company, operating 2,000 stores in 8 countries across Europe.
Follow B&Q on LinkedIn
About Shelter: Shelter exists to defend the right to a safe home and fight the devastating impact the housing emergency has on people and society. Shelter believes that home is everything. Learn more at www.shelter.org.uk.
About Shelter’s Winter Appeal 2024: Right now, thousands of families across England are homeless and are stuck living in grotty temporary accommodation. Shelter’s expert advisers, across our community services, emergency helpline and online advice services, are doing all they can, this winter and all year round, to support families to find or keep hold of a safe home. Donate now www.shelter.org.uk/winterappeal.
B&Q’s Electric Vehicle Fleet media alert - 13th November
SL: B&Q introduces new electric delivery trucks to drive Net Zero goals by 2040
News alert: B&Q is ramping up its progress towards hitting its Scope 1 and 2 net zero target by 2040 with the introduction of new electric delivery trucks.
Details:
- Two heavy-goods electric vans (HGVs) - with a third arriving in early 2025 - will be integrated into B&Q’s home delivery fleet, with plans to add smaller electric vans for more local deliveries in the new year.
- The vehicles will play a significant role in B&Q’s commitment to focusing on improving energy efficiency and using alternative energy sources, with the trucks expected to make 12-14 deliveries per day.
- The introduction into the fleet form’s part of B&Q’s commitment to the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate - a legal requirement that 10% of new van sales in 2024 must be zero-emissions, rising to 70% in 2030 and 100% by 2035.
- The transition will support B&Q’s broader mission to achieve net zero for Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2040. Progress of which was mapped out in B&Q’s latest Build A Life Report.
- The electric HGVs will cover the nationwide Home Delivery Network, as well as supporting B&Q’s Showroom network, where larger deliveries range include kitchens and bedrooms.
- B&Q plans to add more electric vehicles to its fleet in 2025, which already includes the second largest Liquified Natural Gas fleet in the country.
- B&Q is also trialing alternative ways of delivering products to home, such as its trial in Milton Keynes with DPD UK to deliver customers’ orders to home using autonomous robots and its partnership with Deliveroo which aims to deliver customers’ purchases within 25 minutes.
- Please see accompanying imagery.
Amélie Gallichan-Todd, B&Q Supply & Logistics Director, commented:
“We’re working hard to improve our fulfilment services to give our customers more choice of when and how their B&Q purchases are delivered. Our aim is to give customers more choice of speed and location whilst, at the same time, fulfilling our commitment to reduce our impact on the environment, and the introduction of these electric trucks into our fleet is another step towards our transition to alternative fuels.”
About B&Q:
B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer with over 300 stores throughout the UK and Ireland, offering great prices, with over 700,000 products available to order at diy.com for home delivery or click and collect.
For trade professionals, B&Q TradePoint offers exclusive membership to those in trades such as electricians, plasterers, fitters, plumbers, roofers, decorators, joiners, tilers, builders, landscapers and facilities and maintenance professionals. TradePoint members have exclusive access to dedicated TradePoint counters at around 200 B&Q stores as well as to Tradepoint.co.uk.
B&Q launched the UK’s first home improvement marketplace in March 2022, adding additional choice for consumers. The marketplace offers a unique, integrated experience with in-store returns for many products and Click + Collect options being explored.
Their team of more than 21,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nationwide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
Every year, more than 20 million people improve their homes and make life better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable operations and sourcing, and supports our local communities, including funding B&Q Foundation grants and Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors.
For more information on our community initiatives visit diy.com/corporate/community or to read our Build a Life Project annual report visit diy.com/responsible-business.
B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company, operating 2,000 stores in 8 countries across Europe.
Follow B&Q on LinkedIn
Home truths: Lack of control over energy bills is causing renters to feel helpless at home
6th November 2024: Renters admitted they didn’t consider bill costs before moving in – leaving 76 per cent shocked and stung by the fees.
A poll of 2,000 tenants found 54 per cent rushed through the process to move in as soon as possible, prioritising location over the heating and energy costs.
But now 46 per cent feel they have no control over their bills, leaving 34 per cent cutting back elsewhere to afford them and 17 per cent feeling helpless at home.
And 24 per cent have even considered moving elsewhere due to the costs getting out of control.
Prior to picking up the keys, 51 per cent didn’t get much or any information from the landlord about how much they would likely have to pay for these essentials. What’s more, 21 per cent are contractually prohibited from changing their energy supplier, with nearly half not realising this when they signed their lease.
This has left 36 per cent taking matters into their own hands by carrying out tasks to make their property more energy efficient – despite potentially breaking their tenancy agreements.
Paul White, Commercial Director at DIY store B&Q, which commissioned the research, said: “Renters and homeowners alike can feel that they are unable to take control of their household bills. At B&Q we have plenty of energy efficiency solutions, from thermostatic controls to draught excluders, which can help make it easier for customers to control and reduce their energy use, and to keep their bills from becoming overwhelming.
As a first port of call, I’d recommend visiting our Energy Savings hub at diy.com for free tips and advice. Here, people can also take advantage of our free Energy Saving Service, offering personalised advice on the steps they can take to improve the energy efficiency of their home.”
Of those who have made energy improvements around their rented home, 42 per cent have bled the radiators, and 39 per cent have installed draught seals around doors and windows.
A quarter (25 per cent) have insulated pipes and 23 per cent went as far as insulating the loft.
Half (53 per cent) of renters surveyed wanted to make these changes to stop energy bills spiralling out of control, and 44 per cent wanted to address issues with heating and cooling certain areas of the home.
But for 35 per cent, their DIY was driven by an eagerness to reduce their environmental impact.
The research, conducted via OnePoll, also found that there’s more renters can do to protect themselves before moving into new homes.
In fact 69 per cent aren’t likely to check the age of appliances, while 67 per cent doubt they will inspect for draughts. 63 per cent are even unlikely to check the EPC rating of the next potential property.
Paul White from B&Q added: “The research shows tenants are taking matters into their own hands, trying to improve energy efficiency in their homes – even when rental agreements typically limit what they’re allowed to change.
“Of those looking to make small but effective changes, there are a few low-cost solutions that are unlikely to breach rental agreements.
“Adding radiator reflectors to direct heat back into the room and using heavy curtains can help keep in warmth.
“These minor adjustments can make a real difference and provide renters some control over their energy costs, even if their property isn’t perfectly insulated.”
● Deliveroo and B&Q have partnered to offer over 600 home improvement products for rapid delivery in as little as 25 minutes
● DIY products will be available from nine B&Q Local stores in London providing Deliveroo customers with painting, plumbing, electrical, and other decorating products at the touch of a button starting later this month
● The new partnership expands the DIY offering on ‘Deliveroo Shopping’ and comes as customer demand for DIY products has grown rapidly on the platform, with searches for DIY products having increased by 38% over the last six months.¹
● Offering an on-demand, fast delivery service supports B&Q’s ambition to give customers more choice of when and how their B&Q purchases are delivered
1 August 2024 (London): Deliveroo and B&Q, the UK’s leading home and garden retailer, have today announced a new partnership giving Londoners access to on-demand delivery of over 600 DIY products from their nearest B&Q Local store in as little as 25 minutes.
With products spanning interior and outdoor paint, decorating, painting tools, plumbing, electricals, bathroom essentials, as well as tools and hardware, whether they’re tackling an emergency job that needs a quick fix or need additional tools halfway through a project, DIY enthusiasts and professionals can now easily access the materials they require at their convenience.
This new partnership is launching across nine B&Q Local stores at Camden, Harrow, Palmers Green, Streatham, Sutton, Tooting, Wandsworth, Wood Green and Staines-Upon-Thames later this month.
The Deliveroo and B&Q partnership taps into the increasing demand from consumers for speed and convenience when it comes to buying DIY products. Customer searches on the Deliveroo app for DIY products such as paint and screws have increased by 74% and 35% respectively over the last six months.² Offering an on-demand, fast delivery service in partnership with Deliveroo, supports B&Q’s ambition to give customers more choice of when and how their B&Q purchases are delivered, and helps to reach a new target customer base and serve new shopping missions.
Since the launch of ‘Deliveroo Shopping’ in November 2023, Deliveroo has been ramping up selection, enabling consumers to shop from retailers that sell everything from DIY to homeware, toys, flowers, baby items and gifts. The Deliveroo and B&Q partnership follows previous partnerships with Screwfix, Ann Summers and Boots, as well as The Perfume Shop due to launch in the coming months and the expansion of non-food selection with major grocery partners and local independent retail stores available on app.
Eric French, Chief Operating Officer at Deliveroo, said: “We are thrilled to welcome home improvement giant B&Q to the Deliveroo platform. There is a huge home improvement market in the UK and our data shows that customers want the convenience of being able to order everything from paint brushes and paint to tools for delivery in as little as 25 minutes. We are excited by the expansion of ‘Deliveroo Shopping’ and this latest collaboration shows we are not only transforming the way people eat but also the way people shop.”
Amelie Gallichan-Todd, Supply and Logistics Director B&Q, said: “We’re constantly looking at how we can help make home improvement projects easier. This includes helping customers to get their home improvement products in the most efficient, and convenient way possible, by meeting increasing consumer demand for speed, convenience, and mobile access. We’re delighted to be partnering with Deliveroo to test on-demand delivery for our customers served by nine of our B&Q Local high street stores in London.”
¹Deliveroo data, 6 months up to June2024
²Deliveroo data, 6 months up to June 2024
ENDS
Media Enquiries
Deliveroo
press@deliveroo.co.uk
B&Q
Deliveroo
Deliveroo is an award-winning delivery service founded in 2013 by William Shu and Greg Orlowski. Deliveroo works with approximately 183,000 best-loved restaurants and grocery partners, as well as around 135,000 riders to provide the best food delivery experience in the world. Deliveroo is headquartered in London, with offices around the globe. Deliveroo operates across 10 markets, including Belgium, France, Hong Kong, Italy, Ireland, Kuwait, Qatar, Singapore, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.
Further information regarding Deliveroo is available on the Company's website at https://corporate.deliveroo.co.uk/.
About B&Q
B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices on a wide range of products at over 300 stores throughout the UK and Ireland, and at diy.com for home delivery or click and collect.
B&Q launched the UK’s first home improvement marketplace in March 2022, adding additional choice for consumers, and now offers over 1.2 million products at diy.com. The marketplace offers a unique, integrated experience with in-store returns for many products and click and collect options are being explored.
For trade professionals, B&Q TradePoint offers exclusive membership to those in trades such as electricians, plasterers, fitters, plumbers, roofers, decorators, joiners, tilers, builders, landscapers and facilities and maintenance professionals. TradePoint members have exclusive access to dedicated TradePoint counters at 209 B&Q stores as well as to Tradepoint.co.uk.
Their team of more than 26,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nationwide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
Every year, more than 20 million people improve their homes and make life better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable operations and sourcing, and supports our local communities, including funding B&Q Foundation grants and Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit https://www.diy.com/corporate/community
B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company, operating 2,000 stores in 8 countries across Europe.
- B&Q will launch recycling stations at over 100 of its stores across the UK in 2024
- The initiative forms part of B&Q’s commitment to help customers make more sustainable choices
- The new Blacksmith Planter pot created from the recycled pots, will be available to purchase from B&Q stores
B&Q has announced that it will be launching plastic plant pot recycling stations at over 100 of its stores across the UK in 2024.
As part of B&Q’s commitment to help customers make more sustainable choices, it has installed plant pot recycling stations for people to drop off unwanted plastic plant pots which will then be recycled and turned into new pots – ensuring plastic materials are continually recycled and reused, reducing waste and environmental impact.
The new Blacksmith Planter pot created from the recycled pots, will be available to purchase from B&Q stores, retailing at £4. The pots are made using 100% recycled plastic, are all weather resistant and made in the UK.
This initiative is in line with the concept of the closed-loop circular economy, which seeks to promote resource efficiency and minimise waste by designing products and systems with recycling and sustainability in mind.
Samantha Dyer, head of quality and sustainability at B&Q said: “As a business we want to make a positive difference through tangible actions and continue to put innovation at the forefront of our approach to helping our customers make more sustainable choices."
“These new recycling stations will allow us to repurpose something that would normally be discarded and help us in our goal to make more sustainable choices easier and more convenient for our customers.”
The new plant pot recycling stations continue B&Q’s heritage of looking after people and the planet, from being an FSC founding member 30 years ago, to launching a peat-free compost in 1991.
To find out more about where your local plant pot recycling stations is or to purchase the Blacksmith planter pot visit Blacksmith Black Plastic Round Planter (H) 28cm x (W) 35cm | DIY at B&Q.
ENDS
Notes to editors
Blacksmith Planter plant pot is 35cm and weighs 0.8kgs, product code is 5021711046717.
About B&Q:
B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer with over 300 stores throughout the UK and Ireland, offering great prices, with over 1.2 million products available to order at diy.com for home delivery or click and collect.
For trade professionals, B&Q TradePoint offers exclusive membership to those in trades such as electricians, plasterers, fitters, plumbers, roofers, decorators, joiners, tilers, builders, landscapers and facilities and maintenance professionals. TradePoint members have exclusive access to dedicated TradePoint counters at 209 B&Q stores as well as to Tradepoint.co.uk.
B&Q launched the UK’s first home improvement marketplace in March 2022, adding additional choice for consumers. The marketplace offers a unique, integrated experience with in-store returns for many products and Click + Collect options being explored.
Their team of more than 26,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nationwide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
Every year, more than 20 million people improve their homes and make life better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable operations and sourcing, and supports our local communities, including funding B&Q Foundation grants and Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit https://www.diy.com/corporate/community
B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company, operating 1,400 stores in 8 countries across Europe.
B&Q has announced the appointment of Joanna Gluzman as its new director of responsible business. She will join the company on 1 July 2024.
Joanna has over 25 years of experience spanning ESG and investor relations, most recently at PZ Cussons, a FTSE 250 FMCG company as chief sustainability officer overseeing the sustainability strategy and implementation internationally. Joanna has also held senior positions as group director of sustainability for Avon Cosmetics and group director of ESG engagement at the BT Group.
When discussing her new appointment, Joanna said: “I am excited to join B&Q, a business with a mission to help with improving customers’ living environments. The opportunity we have in helping millions of people to make sustainable choices is huge and I am looking forward to working with the B&Q team to take the already fantastic achievements in this area to the next level.’
Paul White, Commercial Director, B&Q said: “I’m delighted to welcome Joanna to the B&Q team. She is highly regarded and experienced and is an extremely strong addition to our leadership team.
“Joanna’s appointment is an important pivot point in building our internal and external credibility across all our ESG topics, with a particular focus on sustainability. We look forward to benefitting from her expertise and insight in leading this important pillar of our strategy.”
As director of responsible business, Joanna will be responsible for leading B&Q’s sustainability strategy and overall roadmap, ensuring its delivery across the company and on B&Q’s journey to carbon net zero.
B&Q is committed to helping customers make more sustainable choices and has a long-standing heritage in doing this for products used in gardens and outdoor spaces, from being the first UK retailer to remove neonicotinoids in 2012 to offering only 100% peat-free bagged compost since 2023.
For more information, interview requests or comments please contact b-and-q@wearetheromans.com
END
About B&Q
B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices on a wide range of products at over 300 stores throughout the UK and Ireland, and at diy.com for home delivery or click and collect.
B&Q launched the UK’s first home improvement marketplace in March 2022, adding additional choice for consumers, and now offers over 1.2 million products at diy.com. The marketplace offers a unique, integrated experience with in-store returns for many products and click and collect options are being explored.
For trade professionals, B&Q TradePoint offers exclusive membership to those in trades such as electricians, plasterers, fitters, plumbers, roofers, decorators, joiners, tilers, builders, landscapers and facilities and maintenance professionals. TradePoint members have exclusive access to dedicated TradePoint counters at 209 B&Q stores as well as to Tradepoint.co.uk.
The team of more than 26,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nationwide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
Every year, more than 20 million people improve their homes and make life better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable operations and sourcing, and supports our local communities, including funding B&Q Foundation grants and Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit diy.com/corporate/community
B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company, operating 1,400 stores in 8 countries across Europe.
• B&Q sees searches for heaters on diy.com increase by 203%, compared to last week as Brits grit their teeth in preparation for this week’s temperature plummet
• Searches for window insulation saw the biggest increase, by a massive 1153% compared to last week
• This week has seen sales of ice and snow related products on DIY.com increase by 62%
• Winter protection for all budgets can be found in-store or online at diy.com
16th January 2024: As temperatures are set to plummet overnight with snow and ice covering much of the country, Brits are rushing to the nation’s favourite home improvement retailer, B&Q, to stock up on winter essentials to help keep warm and protect their homes from the snow and ice. From electric heaters, insulation and draught excluders to salt, grit and snow shovels, B&Q’s website, DIY.com, has seen searches and sales for cold weather products rise higher than household thermostats.
Ensuring the house is kept warm and precious heat doesn’t escape during this cold snap is top of shoppers’ minds this week, with draught excluder searches increasing by 169%. The biggest search increase was seen with window insulation, which surged by a huge 1153% compared to last week. Keeping warm is also a priority, as searches of gas heaters rose by 203% and electric heaters by 151% compared to last week.
As the frost takes over, sales of snow and ice related products have risen 62% this week and many are looking to invest in grit salt to ensure that their surroundings remain frost free and safe to walk on, with a significant 900% search increase on diy.com for this product, compared to last week.
For weather related items see: https://www.diy.com/weather or https://www.diy.com/departments/heating-plumbing-cooling/DIY1652280.cat
Stephen Lodge, B&Q’s Category Director for Building said: “With Met Office warnings across the country, B&Q is here to help customers protect and warm their homes. B&Q provides fast, efficient, and convenient choices. For customers looking for immediate warmth and weather protection as well as those looking to invest in longer-term solutions, we have products at prices that work for them.”
We also provide help & advice available on diy.com, social media and our YouTube channel on how to reduce energy use, prevent heat loss and control energy use.
-ENDS-
About B&Q:
B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer with over 300 stores throughout the UK and Ireland, offering great prices, with soon to be over 100,000 products available to order at diy.com for home delivery or click and collect.
B&Q launched the UK’s first home improvement marketplace in March 2022, adding additional choice for consumers. The marketplace offers a unique, integrated experience with in-store returns for many products and Click + Collect options being explored.
Their team of more than 26,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nationwide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
Every year, more than 20 million people improve their homes and make life better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities, including funding B&Q Foundation grants and Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit https://www.diy.com/corporate/community
B&Q CALLS FOR BRITS TO RECLAIM THEIR BATH TIME AS RESEARCH REVEALS THE NATION’S BATH HABITS IN TIME FOR NATIONAL BUBBLE BATH DAY
- 29% of Brits say taking a bath is one of their favourite ways to destress and unwind, with a tenth saying it’s even more relaxing than having a massage or meditating
- 43% of us are having fewer baths than two years ago, but when we do we make them count, with 40% of us staying in the bath for longer • B&Q has teamed up with feng shui expert Priya Sher to design the ultimate feng shui bathroom, using the home improvement retailer’s free design tool and share tips on how to make the most of your space, for a bathroom that makes a splash!
- The ultimate feng shui bathroom can be explored in 360° panoramic here and available to download here
8th January 2024: To mark National Bubble Bath Day today, B&Q is encouraging the nation to reclaim their bath time, sharing an ideal feng shui bathroom design and feng shui advice to make bathrooms as relaxing and luxurious as possible.
In research with YouGov, the nation’s favourite home improvement retailer uncovered that Brits turn to taking a bath to destress and unwind with 29% saying it’s one of their ultimate ways to relax, of which 10% say a bath is their most relaxing way to unwind, actually more relaxing than having a massage (3%) or meditating (3%).
However, the cost of living appears to be changing the nation’s bath habits, with 43% of us having fewer baths now than two years ago because of concerns about the cost (42%), energy usage (40%) and saving water (37%). But whilst we might be having fewer baths than two years ago, when we do have one, we make it count by staying in the bath for longer (40%), using more bath bubbles (28%) and making it more luxurious (20%).
With 13% of people considering removing their bath altogether, B&Q is on a mission to encourage Brits to reclaim their bath time, teaming up with feng shui expert Priya Sher to design the ultimate feng shui bathroom and sharing guidance to maximise the space.
Feng Shui Expert Priya Sher says “Taking a bath helps us to switch off from the outside world because being immersed in water releases the same energy as being hugged, so it calms our minds and allows us to feel safe, protected and joyful. Making feng shui updates to your bathroom could make your precious ‘me’ time, much more enjoyable!”
Priya’s tips, used to design the ultimate feng shui bathroom space, include:
- Layout – When entering a bathroom, the toilet should be the last thing you see and the bath should be the first, as this signals calm energy. Layout is key in feng shui as energy should be able to flow smoothly throughout the room, so the correct placement of the bath and toilet can uplift and balance the energy of the space.
- Light – Positioning the bath next to a window is best, as it allows natural light to nourish the psyche, recharge and get in sync with nature. Any artificial lighting in the bathroom should be warm to add to the relaxing energy and for optimum feng shui, it should be positioned centrally on the ceiling to create balance.
- Elements – Focusing on different elements will help bring a relaxing environment to any bathroom. Plants are a great way to balance the energy of the space as they bring nature in, while candles bring warmth and create a cosy and relaxing energy. Place them in areas around your bath eyeline to feel immersed in relaxation.
- Colour – For smaller bathrooms, the ideal colours to use to add freshness are light greens, whites, off whites and light greys, as they will open up the room and provide a calming balance.
- No more clutter – The bathroom should be a tranquil space, when there is physical clutter, it adds to the mind being stressed and wherever clutter accumulates, energy stagnates. To overcome this, invest in bathroom storage to put things you are not using away and keep things minimal.
To help put Priya Sher’s feng shui tips into action, B&Q has shared guidance on how to create a perfect bathroom, from renovating a space completely, to making small changes to improve the room.
- Design expertise – B&Q customers can design their dream bathroom in store with a B&Q design expert. Customers will receive a link to experience their design in 360º high-definition panoramic images on their mobile or device to share with family and friends, to help visualise the space.
- Your bathroom, your way – When choosing a new bathroom suite, B&Q offers a wide range of great value products to ensure your bathroom reflects your personality. From modern, stylish bathrooms to timeless traditional designs and whether fitting a small en-suite, or a large family bathroom, B&Q has got you covered.
- Space saving – Size isn’t everything when it comes to bathrooms. Opting for a space saver or straight bath is a great way to make the most of a small space. Furthermore, mirrored cabinets create the illusion of more open space and slim furniture is a great space saver and provide somewhere to keep bathroom essentials.
- Water and energy saving – With concerns about saving water and energy high on the agenda, B&Q offers customers helpful advice in store and online, for example with their Energy Saving Service. There are a number of bathroom solutions such as aerators for taps, low flow shower heads and cold start taps to help customers be smarter and more efficient.
- Finishing touches – To complete a new bathroom or revitalise an existing space, add some great value finishing touches. From humid happy houseplants such as orchids, to pops of colour with new bathmats and towels, or relaxing candles as per Priya’s advice, you can refresh the energy of a room.
Bryony Bennett, Bathroom Buyer at B&Q says “We weren’t surprised to hear that taking a bath is one of our favourite ways to relax and unwind. Here at B&Q, we want everyone to be able to experience the joy of taking a bath, so we’re encouraging our customers to reclaim their bath time this National Bubble Bath Day. With Priya’s feng shui tips, our bathroom design expertise and our huge range of great value bathroom products, accessories, lighting and tiling all under one roof, customers can create their dream bathroom for less this year with B&Q.”
B&Q and Priya have designed the perfect feng shui bathroom to showcase their tips and advice, using B&Q’s free 360° design tool, providing inspiration to customers looking to improve and reclaim their bath time.
B&Q believes You Can Do It with its range of flexible finance options well as 25% off when you spend £750 or 15% off when you spend £350 on a bathroom* you’ll find everything you need to make your dream room a reality in store at B&Q and at diy.com.
* Ends 31 Jan. *Ts&Cs apply, see www.diy.com/promotions-terms-and-conditions
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2102 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 2nd - 3rd January 2024. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).
Featured products in the ultimate feng shui bathroom:
Bathrooms
Ideal Standard Studio echo White Standard Close-coupled Toilet set with Soft close seat
GoodHome Avela Matt Wood Oak effect Single Bathroom Cabinet with Mirrored door (H)700mm (W)500mm
Flomasta Curved Chrome effect Vertical Curved Towel radiator (W)600mm x (H)1100mm
GoodHome Gloss chrome effect Straight Manual Radiator valve & lockshield x ½" (Dia) 15mm
Cooke & Lewis Arezzo White Supercast acrylic Rectangular Straight Bath (L)1700mm (W)750mm
Cooke & Lewis White Straight Front Bath panel (W)1700mm
VitrA Solid S Chrome effect Ceramic Double Filler Tap
GoodHome calera Straight silver effect frame Bath screen, (H)140cm (W)850mm
Bristan Noctis Gloss Chrome effect Wall-mounted Thermostatic Mixer Multi head shower
Cooke & Lewis White Straight End Bath panel (H)51cm (W)75cm
Cabinets
GoodHome Nevado Tall Matt Green Double Bathroom Column cabinet (H)160cm (W)35cm
GoodHome Nevado Standard Matt Green Wall-mounted Bathroom Vanity unit (H)60cm (W)80cm
GoodHome Nevado Satin White Rectangular Vanity Basin (W)80.4cm
VitrA Solid S Gloss Chrome effect Manual Basin Mixer Tap
Accessories
GoodHome Bugue Glass & metal Chrome effect Bathroom Ceiling light
GoodHome Carisi Chrome effect Bathroom Wired Wall light
Walls and Flooring
Folk Natural Wood effect Click flooring, 2.24m², Pack of 16
Glina Green Gloss Ceramic Wall Tile, Pack of 34, (L)297mm (W)97mm
About B&Q:
B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer with over 300 stores throughout the UK and Ireland, offering great prices, with soon to be over 100,000 products available to order at diy.com for home delivery or click and collect.
B&Q launched the UK’s first home improvement marketplace in March 2022, adding additional choice for consumers. The marketplace offers a unique, integrated experience with in-store returns for many products and Click + Collect options being explored.
Their team of more than 26,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nationwide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
Every year, more than 20 million people improve their homes and make life better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities, including funding B&Q Foundation grants and Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit https://www.diy.com/corporate/community
B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company, operating 1,400 stores in 8 countries across Europe.
B&Q TO RAISE OVER £200,000 FOR HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS CHARITIES THIS FESTIVE SEASON
- B&Q will be donating £1 from the sale of every real Christmas tree
- B&Q will be matched funding its customers’ donations during fundraising weekend
- B&Q expect to raise over £200,000 for Shelter, Shelter Scotland, Shelter Cymru, Housing Rights and Focus Ireland
Leading home improvement retailer B&Q has announced that for every real Christmas tree bought at one of its 300 stores nationwide or on DIY.com, it will donate £1 to B&Q charity partner, Shelter, and its partner charities Shelter Scotland, Shelter Cymru, Housing Rights and Focus Ireland. B&Q will also be matching its customers’ donations throughout the festive period.
Through the £1 donations and matched funding, B&Q hopes to raise over £200,000 for these housing and homelessness charities, which would bring the total amount, donated by B&Q to Shelter and its partner charities this year, to over £800,000.
Jo Curtis, Community Manager at B&Q said: “At B&Q, we are always looking for ways in which we can help to support important causes, not just at Christmas but all year long. With Christmas being a time for giving, we are proud to work with Shelter, the leading housing and homelessness charity who shares our belief that everybody should have a safe and happy home. For many, bringing home their Christmas tree is the start of their seasonal festivities, and so what better way is there to share this season of goodwill more widely, than by helping those without a place to call home.”
Andy Harris, Director of Income Generation at Shelter, said: “With the number of households facing homelessness the highest on record, Shelter’s work is more urgent than ever. We help hundreds of people and families impacted by the housing emergency every day, but we couldn’t do this without everyone who fundraises for us – including the brilliant efforts of B&Q.
“We want to thank the B&Q colleagues and customers, our partnership means we can reach more people with specialist advice and practical support, and it means we can campaign for lasting change to make access to a safe home a reality for all.”
From 1st to 24th December, B&Q will be giving £1 donations to these charities when customers purchase a real Christmas tree in store, for Click & Collect, or home delivery.
B&Q first launched its partnership with Shelter in 2017. Since then, B&Q’s colleagues’ and customers’ donations have completely funded Shelter’s DIY Skills Adviser Service whilst also supporting its essential frontline services, providing advice and practical help to those facing with housing issues or homelessness.
With over a third (38%) of the UK population revealing they are more conscious of the cost of Christmas than last year, B&Q has also reduced the price of real trees for all its customers this season, across its extensive range including Nordmann Fir, Fraser Fir, Norway Spruce and Blue Spruce, in both cut and pot grown varieties.
Real Christmas tree care tips:
- Buy your tree as early as possible, after you've chosen your cut tree, take it out of its netting and give it a good shake. It's essential you do this to allow air to circulate and for the branches to settle.
- Keep it in a cool place, such as a shed or a garage to let the tree acclimatise, until you are ready to bring it indoors to decorate.
- Before you set your tree up, it's a good idea to give it some water. Cut about 3cm off the bottom using a garden saw and pop it straight into a bucket of water to absorb.
- Once inside, stand your tree up in a Christmas tree stand. Avoid putting your real tree in sand or soil as this can reduce the amount of water it can uptake. Also avoid positioning it near any radiators or fires.
- Water your real Christmas tree every day to keep it hydrated to reduce needle drop - we recommend adding a minimum of 500ml of water a day.
Notes to Editors
About B&Q:
B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer with over 300 stores throughout the UK and Ireland, offering great prices, with soon to be over 100,000 products available to order at diy.com for home delivery or click and collect.
B&Q launched the UK’s first home improvement marketplace in March 2022, adding additional choice for consumers. The marketplace offers a unique, integrated experience with in-store returns for many products and Click + Collect options being explored.
Its team of more than 26,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nationwide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
Every year, more than 20 million people improve their homes and make life better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities, including funding B&Q Foundation grants and Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors.
For more information on our community initiatives visit https://www.diy.com/corporate/community
B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company, operating 1,400 stores in eight countries across Europe.
About Shelter:
We exist to defend the right to a safe home and fight the devastating impact the housing emergency has on people and society. We do this with campaigns, advice and support – and we never give up. We believe that home is everything.
Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisers are working to help thousands by ensuring people have access to the fundamental skills to build a future. The specialist teams work with communities across London, Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield, Liverpool, Bournemouth, Newcastle and Bristol to help them feel happier and safer in their homes whilst bringing communities together.
Rudolph the red nosed... lorry? B&Q launches ‘reindeerliveries’, giving Brits the chance to win a free Christmas tree from today
- As Brits prepare to put up their Christmas décor this weekend – with almost three quarters (70%) believing the 1st December is the best date to start decorating – B&Q is offering everyone the chance to win a free tree
- To win, Brits simply need to spot one of B&Q’s festive ‘reindeer’ lorries making their ‘reindeerliveries’ across the UK from today
- With almost a third (31%) of Brits admitting they typically put up two or more trees in their home, B&Q is lending a helping hand to tree-obsessed Brits with free firs and reduced prices
29th November 2023: As the nation prepares for the most wonderful time of the year, B&Q is offering everyone the chance to win a free Christmas tree, as new research reveals almost a third (31%) of tree-obsessed Brits admit they typically put up two or more trees in their home.
The research from B&Q also discovered that younger generations are fuelling the popularity of real Christmas trees, with almost a quarter of Gen Z (22%) lured by the smell and excitement of choosing their own tree compared to their parent’s generation (14%). However, the big decision of choosing a real or artificial Christmas tree is one that stumps Brits across the country, with almost 1 in 5 (16%) alternating between tree types.
With over a third (38%) of the population revealing they are more conscious of the cost of Christmas this year than last, the UK's leading home improvement retailer has reduced the price of real trees this season.
The research comes as a fleet of B&Q delivery lorries are given the festive treatment and transformed into the Santa’s nine reindeer to ‘reindeerliver’ Christmas to the nation. All Brits have to do is spot one of these lorries, share it on Instagram and use #Reindeerlivery. Easy for some perhaps, the research has uncovered that less than 1 in 4 people (24%) feel confident in naming Santa’s nine reindeer.
In fact, 1 in 5 Brits incorrectly think that Stomper is part of this herd, with the true names of Santa’s reindeer being Rudolph, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen, who will be blazon across the B&Q lorries.
B&Q’s extensive range of real trees, available to buy now in store, for click + collect or home delivery, includes Nordmann Fir, Fraser Fir, Norway Spruce and Blue Spruce varieties that come in cut and pot grown form. Their large selection of trees means that you can find your unique tree to suit your home’s style and needs – and let’s face it who doesn’t love the rich, alpine smell of a real tree!
Brits can also find a wide range of decorations in-store and online, as the research revealed that many Brits (70%) think 1st December is the perfect time to start decorating, and that Gen Z is the most adventurous with their decorations as almost half (49%) dress their tree differently every year.
B&Q Head of Christmas, Mairi Devlin, says: “It’s been interesting to see the generational split emerging when it comes to their tree choice in the lead up to the big day. For many, choosing a tree marks the start of the festive season and brings the magic of Christmas to life. At B&Q we aim to make this festive past time as easy as possible, and with a huge variety of trees everyone will find the perfect tree or two for their home. What’s more, with this year’s reduced prices of real trees, we hope to help customers make their budget go further this Christmas.”
Everyone up and down the country will have the chance to win a Christmas tree by spotting the reindeer lorries. To be in with the chance of winning one of 100 prizes, Brits need to share a picture of one of the lorries to @bandq_uk on Instagram using #Reindeerlivery. Entries must be received by 23:59PM, 7th December 2023, and winners will receive a £40 B&Q eGift Card which can be used to purchase a Christmas tree in store or on DIY.com.
Real Christmas tree care tips:
- Buy your tree as early as possible, after you've chosen your cut tree, take it out of its netting and give it a good shake. It's essential you do this to allow air to circulate and for the branches to settle.
- Keep it in a cool place, such as a shed or a garage to let the tree acclimatise, until you are ready to bring it indoors to decorate.
- Before you set your tree up, it's a good idea to give it some water. Cut about 3cm off the bottom using a garden saw and pop it straight into a bucket of water to absorb.
- Once inside, stand your tree up in a Christmas tree stand. Avoid putting your real tree in sand or soil as this can reduce the amount of water it can uptake. Also avoid positioning it near any radiators or fires.
- Water your real Christmas tree every day to keep it hydrated to reduce needle drop - we recommend adding a minimum of 500ml of water a day.
If you have a pot-grown Christmas tree:
- Treat your pot-grown tree like a house plant. When your pot-grown tree arrives home, take it out of its netting and give it a good shake to remove any loose foliage.
- Before setting up your pot-grown tree, we recommend giving it some time to acclimatise to the warmer air in either a garage or shed (away from any radiators).
- Once your tree has been set up, be sure to water it regularly to keep the roots moist and cool, as you would a houseplant
- After Christmas, transplant the tree to a bigger pot to allow growing room, before moving to a sheltered spot in the garden with good light all around the tree. Keep it well watered so you can bring it indoors again for next Christmas! B&Q real trees are available in store and online now, along with the entire Christmas decoration range, at diy.com.
More Christmas tips and tricks can be found at diy.com:
- https://www.diy.com/ideas-advice/how-to-care-for-a-real-christmas-tree/PROD_npcart_100277.art
- https://www.diy.com/ideas--advice/christmas/christmas-home/christmas-trends
- https://www.diy.com/ideas-advice/real-christmas-tree-buying-guide/PROD_npcart_100025.art
ENDS
About B&Q: B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer with over 300 stores throughout the UK and Ireland, offering great prices, with soon to be over 100,000 products available to order at diy.com for home delivery or click and collect.
B&Q launched the UK’s first home improvement marketplace in March 2022, adding additional choice for consumers. The marketplace offers a unique, integrated experience with in-store returns for many products and Click + Collect options being explored.
The team of more than 26,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nationwide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
Every year, more than 20 million people improve their homes and make life better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities, including funding B&Q Foundation grants and Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit https://www.diy.com/corporate/community
B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company, operating 1,400 stores in 8 countries across Europe.
The summer holidays are back for another year – and whilst the world is opening up, there’s still many barriers to contend with making the park or your back garden the perfect place to keep the kids busy, without the stress. Bring on the sunshine, good times and late bedtimes! There are so many fun, yet inexpensive ways to help keep the kids entertained this summer, from water play to gardening. To help make the most of the summer holidays with the children, B&Q has compiled five cost-effective, action-packed activities to enjoy at home.
- Cool down as it heats up with water play
The weather hasn’t disappointed this summer, which means you don’t have to take the kids away to get that holiday feeling. Simply set up a paddling pool for kids big and small to cool off in, or even a slip and slide, to provide hours of entertainment. If you’re worried about the grass, put some protective sheeting underneath to ensure no grass damage. Once set up, challenge the kids to a water-fuelled fight with balloons and water pistols for hours of cool fun!
Our top products:
- Childrens Kids Soak N Splash 16' Aqua Garden Water Slide Spray Sprinker Pool Toy, £11.99
- Zuru Fast fill Water Gun, Pack of 1, £14
- Bestway Fast set PVC Inflatable pool 0.61m x 2.44m, £40
- Bestway Scentsational Multicolour Inflatable Rider, £20
- Backyard beach
When the beaches are crowded, or you simply don’t have the time (or energy!) to pop down for the day, bring the beach to you and create a sand pit for the kids to enjoy. Build a simple frame using decking planks and tools at home and fill with play sand (see instructions on B&Q’s YouTube Channel). Encourage your kids to have a go at building a sandcastle in a certain amount of time – the best one wins!
What you need:
- Planks of Joist Decking, £11 each
- Verve Beds & Borders Black Polypropylene Weed control fabric, £6.20
- Blooma Play Sand, £7.40
- A mud kitchen, the rainy-day getaway
Whilst we have been lucky so far this summer, every Brit knows there’s usually a rainy weekend around the corner, but don’t let this end the fun! Make the most of a gloomy day by putting together a ‘mud kitchen’. With a few planks of wood or an existing tabletop and some imagination, create a workstation for your kids to have some fun using old kitchen utensils and pots from the garden. Your kids will be whipping up mud pies and grass soup with flower croutons in no time. Just don’t sample any of their ‘culinary’ creations!
- Grow the fun!
Gardening is a great way of getting the family outside, while also teaching children about how things grow and how to care for them, nurturing a seed into its full-grown glory. Get everyone together to grow some flowers, herbs or vegetables at home – there are so many that can still be planted in August. A fun past time that can also help the environment, from tending to the bees, to giving wildlife somewhere to rest and feed. Don’t have a garden? Grow things in pots for the windowsill. From sunflowers, to beetroot, B&Q has everything you need.
Gardening essentials:
- Kids Gardening Gloves, £1.50
- Junior Kids Childrens Mini Gardening Tools Set Kit Trowel Shovel Garden Beach, £5.99
- Our wide selection of plant and vegetable seeds from just £2.80
- Create a nature paradise
Create an outdoor space that’s buzzing with nature! B&Q has 10 top tips on how to make your garden more nature-friendly. Easy, accessible and affordable, taking your children through this list will be sure to turn them into little Attenboroughs.
- See the full Nature of garden tips
- How to create an eco-friendly garden
- Ways to attract garden birds
- Build your own outside games
There’s fun in both creating games as well as playing them. Get some timber and create a game of Tumbling Tower and get the kids involved to help paint the blocks, or use our MDF Board for a game of giant Tic-Tac-Toe (check out our how to video on B&Q’s YouTube channel). B&Q have all the items you might need to construct fun outdoor games which you can take for a trip to the park, or even play indoors if the weather turns.
Summer activities can be fun and imaginative without being pricey. Here at B&Q we offer great value products for garden play, from tools and toys, to paddling pools, to help keep the kids entertained all summer long. So let creativity run wild this summer and head to B&Q or visit diy.com.
Have a great summer!
Notes for Editors:
You can find tips and tricks to keep the kids entertained this summer at diy.com and B&Q’s YouTube channel:
- How to make garden games for kids
- 5 creative ways to turn your garden into an adventure playground
- Grow your own veg: projects for kids to enjoy
B&Q’s new bubble BBQ -the more sustainable portable solution
BBQ season is upon us! Bring on sizzling sausages, overcooked burgers and laughing every step of the way with friends and family. With the weather set to heat up, us Brits know that as soon as the sun is out – so is the BBQ. As a quick and easy way to host a BBQ, many look to the disposable offerings due to it being easy to travel. However, for a more sustainable – and not to mention, aesthetically pleasing way to host a BBQ – B&Q have launched their new and affordable Bubble BBQ.
The Bubble BBQ is just £24 and brings a new way to BBQ outside of the home. It’s compact, lightweight, and designed for quick and easy transportation to the park, beach, festival, stay-cation, or even just the garden. With its cute bubble design, it’s a great accompaniment to those BBQ Instagram pictures this summer.
As you can reuse the portable Bubble BBQ time and time again, it’s the perfect way to make a small impact for a more sustainable lifestyle this summer. According to B&Q’s Slice of Home Life Report released this year, 7 in 10 people feel it is important for their home to be sustainable, but only 1 in 10 are very confident about how to make the necessary changes. With B&Q no longer selling disposable BBQ’s, the portable BBQ options are a great alternative to disposables – and B&Q’s bubble BBQ is cost effective too.
At B&Q we have a large variety of standard gas and charcoal BBQ’s, but we’re one of a kind when it comes to our portable, non-disposable Bubble BBQ. Say no to disposable, help your earth and get your hands on the must-have favourite this summer.
Available in store and online at DIY.com
B&Q announce hundreds of prices nailed down on some of its most popular products
- Home improvement store, B&Q, has announced hundreds of prices have been nailed down on its most popular own brand products
- Prices to be held for at least 11 weeks in store and on diy.com
June 2022: As the cost of living increases, here at B&Q we want to ensure that the cost for home improvement tasks is still affordable, which is why we’ve launched our new prices nailed down campaign. From today, the prices of hundreds of our most popular products are now frozen, meaning that no matter what job needs to be done, you’ll be able to do it at great value.
Whether it’s your bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, or garden, we’ve got the whole house covered with over 500 products in store and online at diy.com nailed down for up to 11 weeks across the summer. From toilet to turf, there are always some DIY essentials that every home needs and with this new initiative you’ll be able to upgrade your home without pulling the purse strings.
As we head into summer there’s no better time to get the garden budding and blossoming, and with products such as the GoodHome MP Compost nailed down for £11 or Verve large landscape bark at just £10.50, summer gardening has never been simpler.
A whole vast array of 500 products is nailed down this summer, in store and at diy.com, including;
- Plumbsure Bodmin Close-couple Toilet, £67,
- Dulux Matt Paint, £22,
- Amsel twin level kitchen mixer tap, £42
- Cooke & Lewis Ising Black Sink and Drainer, £135
- Dulux Quick dry paint, £25
- four shelf steel shelving unit, £24
With brand-new products price-locked that can transform your home at great value, now is the perfect time to deck out the garden, bathroom, kitchen or living room and make a house a home safe in the knowledge that these prices are staying low for eleven weeks.
Keep an eye out for the ‘Prices nailed’ signs instore and online where 500 products are now price locked.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
B&Q have announced hundreds of prices have been nailed down on the home improvement stores most popular products.
T&Cs : Prices to be held for at least 11 weeks from 29 May 2022. Held prices may be subject to temporary promotional discounts. Subject to availability. Some products available in selected stores.
About B&Q:
B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer with over 300 stores throughout the UK and Ireland, offering great prices, with soon to be over 100,000 products available to order at diy.com for home delivery or click and collect.
B&Q launched the UK’s first home improvement marketplace in March 2022, adding additional choice for consumers. The marketplace offers a unique, integrated experience with in-store returns for many products and Click + Collect options being explored.
Their team of more than 26,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nationwide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
Every year, more than 20 million people improve their homes and make life better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities, including funding B&Q Foundation grants and Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit https://www.diy.com/corporate/community
B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company, operating 1,400 stores in 8 countries across Europe
As we all become more eco and cost-conscious, it’s important to know the small changes we can make to ensure we’re not wasting water and spending unnecessary additional money on our bills.
An easy quick fix will be to ensure you don’t have a leaky or dripping tap, these can waste more than 5,500 litres of water a year, so make sure your tap is completely switched off or if needs to be repaired, call a plumber. Replacing old taps with new ones fitted with aerating regulators, such as the GoodHome Zanthe Copper effect kitchen tap from B&Q, can reduce water use too. Other leaking products such as a running toilet wastes an average of 215 to 400 litres of water a day so if you hear the water running unnecessarily, make sure to get it fixed!
Another great bathroom water saving tip is to install a Cistern Displacement Device (CDD) in your toilet, which reduces the amount of water used when flushed – these can save up to 5000 litres of water a year and can be available free of charge from your water company. B&Q also has a range of dual flush toilets. These have two buttons that allow different quantities of water to flow, the lower flush typically saves 7-9 litres of water per flush.
It’s understandable that the highest usage of water consumption in the home comes from baths and showers (around 34%). There are a variety of ways to reduce water consumption in the shower, but a low flow shower head is a quick-win and can save up to 60 litres per showeri. Just reducing your showering time by just one minute can save 15 litres of water.
18% of energy consumption in UK homes is spent heating water, and about 12% of gas bills are spent heating water for showers, baths and taps, so saving on any wasted hot water can make a big change to your carbon footprint and your bills.
Ensuring your plants and lawn remain looking pristine in the Summer months naturally cause us to reach for the hose, and in turn, increase our water usage. Luckily, B&Q has a new range of Verve hose fittings that have been designed to reduce leaks so that no unnecessary water is wasted. Additionally, the range of watering cans at B&Q also allows for targeted watering, again so that water can be used more efficiently.
Finally, a sustainable way to source water is to collect rainwater and use a water butt, it allows you to reuse the rainwater for uses such as watering the garden or indoor plants.
B&Q top tips to save water:
· Make sure your tap is completely turned off
· Call a plumber for any leaking toilets or dripping taps
· Use the lower flush setting on toilets
· Turn off the tap whilst brushing your teeth
· Switch from a mixer shower to an electric shower
· Install a Cistern Displacement Device (CDD) in the toilet
· Ensure garden hoses are fitted with trigger nozzles
· Collect rainwater and use a water butt to water your garden
For further help and advice, visit the help and advice section on www.diy.com
All stats have been sourced from Waterwise https://www.waterwise.org.uk/wsw2022/
ENDS
About B&Q:
B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer with over 300 stores throughout the UK and Ireland, offering great prices, with soon to be over 100,000 products available to order at diy.com for home delivery or click and collect.
B&Q launched the UK’s first home improvement marketplace in March 2022, adding additional choice for consumers. The marketplace offers a unique, integrated experience with in-store returns for many products and Click + Collect options being explored.
Their team of more than 26,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nationwide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
Every year, more than 20 million people improve their homes and make life better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities, including funding B&Q Foundation grants and Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit https://www.diy.com/corporate/community
B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company, operating 1,400 stores in 8 countries across Europe.
B&Q’s Lowest Price Ever!
Lay-Z-Spa St. Lucia AirJet for just £199
Goes live Thursday 2 June 2022: This Super-Bank Holiday weekend get some well-deserved R&R with this 3-person Laz-Z-Spa all for under 200 quid! B&Q’s lowest price ever.
The Lay-Z-Spa St. Lucia AirJet™ accommodates up to 3 adults and is perfect for those who don’t have loads of space but still want to enjoy the benefits of a hot tub in the privacy of their home. Despite its size, the St. Lucia has everything you would expect of the larger models including a soothing 110 AirJet massage system, rapid heating system, power-saving timer and Freeze Shield™ technology so it can be enjoyed all year round.
Order on DIY.com for home delivery or Click and Collect here: https://www.diy.com/departments/lay-z-spa-st-lucia-3-person-inflatable-hot-tub/6942138982688_BQ.prd
Specifications
- Comfortably Fits Up To 3 People
- 110 AirJet™ Massage System
- 40°C Rapid Heating System
- Freeze Shield™ Technology for use all year
- DuraPlus™ & Beam Construction
Notes to editors
About B&Q:
B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer with over 300 stores throughout the UK and Ireland, offering great prices, with soon to be over 100,000 products available to order at diy.com for home delivery or click and collect.
B&Q launched the UK’s first home improvement marketplace in March 2022, adding additional choice for consumers. The marketplace offers a unique, integrated experience with in-store returns for many products and Click + Collect options being explored.
Their team of more than 26,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nationwide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
Every year, more than 20 million people improve their homes and make life better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities, including funding B&Q Foundation grants and Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit https://www.diy.com/corporate/community
B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company, operating 1,400 stores in 8 countries across Europe.
B&Q’s Spring/Summer products for 2022
With summer on the horizon, now is the perfect time to prepare your outdoor space ahead of the (hopefully) sunny days to come. With this in mind, B&Q has announced its top outdoor products for the spring/summer season to ensure your garden is as picture perfect as can be – just in time for all the extra-long weekends and Jubilee celebrations.
With egg chairs set to remain a hot staple for 2022, why not try the new for 2022 GoodHome Apolima Steel Grey Rattan Effect Kids Egg Chair, which is a mini version of the GoodHome Apolima Steel Grey Rattan Effect Egg Chair, so that even your little ones can get involved in the summer Instagram moment.
For those bigger family and friends' gatherings, such as the upcoming Platinum Jubilee celebrations, B&Q has also got you covered with the new GoodHome Hamilton Steeple Grey Rattan Effect 7 Seater Garden Furniture Set which is ideal to ensure everyone can be seated in not only comfort, but style too. Other highlights from the new range of outdoor products include the fan favourite Lay-Z Spa Hollywood 6 Person Inflatable Hot Tub which is guaranteed to make you the envy of all your friends and neighbours.
If evening entertaining is more your style, then B&Qs new hanging outdoor lights and outdoor firepit are not to be missed. The Umatilla Brown Rattan Effect Solar-Powered LED Outdoor Hanging Lantern, Tiki Style Flaming Torch Stake Light and brand new La Hacienda Icarus Oxidised Firepit bring all the ambience to those balmy summer evenings with friends and family and ensure you can keep the night going even when the sun has set.
Finally, for those more green-fingered, the Mac Allister 36V 37cm cordless lawnmower is a must buy to help maintain a pristine garden and combining it with the award-winning Verve watering range from B&Q can help keep your garden looking Insta-worthy during the drier months too. Try the Verve 5 Spray gun, which is part of the award-winning range to keep your outdoor space in full bloom.
With lots of brand new outdoor products this year, B&Q’s Spring/Summer Outdoor range has everything you need to transform your outdoor space and ensure your garden is looking beautiful for friends and family, or more importantly, yourself.
Please see below for the top products from B&Q this summer and the full brochure here:
NEW FAVOURITES FOR 2022
GoodHome Apolima Steel Grey Rattan Effect Egg Chair, £455
GoodHome Apolima Steel Grey Rattan Effect Kids Egg Chair, £170
GoodHome Hamilton Steeple Grey Rattan Effect 7 Seater Garden Furniture Set, £1,515
Russel Kettle Black Charcoal Barbecue, £65
Habitat+ Grey Composite Deck Board, £24
Tiki Style Flaming Torch Stake Light, £15
Umatilla Brown Rattan Effect Solar-Powered LED Outdoor Hanging Lantern, £19
New Electric Dreams Dianthus, sold exclusively at B&Q, is shortlisted for RHS Plant of the Year 2022
- Dianthus ‘Electric Dreams’ has launched at RHS Chelsea Flower Show and is new and exclusive to B&Q this year
- Electric dreams has been shortlisted for the coveted RHS Plant of the Year
- B&Q expect Dianthus ‘Electric Dreams’ to become one of their best-selling plants of 2022 due to its intense colour, year-round flowering and vibrant, two-tone pink colours
- A million Electric Dreams plants will be available throughout the season at B&Q and will all be grown in peat-free soil
Shortlisted for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show Plant of the Year 2022 was Dianthus Electric Dreams, bred by Whetman Plants International and featuring on the London Fire Brigades’ Disovery Garden ‘Act on Flooding’, stand 133.
Dianthus ‘Electric Dreams’ is a new hardy perennial that has been shortlisted for this year’s RHS Plant of the Year. Bred over six years by Devon based Whetmans International, this little ‘pink’ plant may be small, but it certainly packs a punch and has been shortlisted due to its:
- Long flowering (April – Oct or first frost)
- Compact mounded shape
- Exceptional flower intensity (up to 100 flowers per plant)
- Sticking electric pink – two-toned colour
- Clove-scented flowers
- Pollinating abilities
- Hardy perennial qualities
The Electric Dreams® Dianthus is bred here in the UK in Devon by breaders Whetmans International who have been growing plants in the UK for the past 80 years. B&Q ensures that it uses a vetted network of breeders and growers, such as Whetmans International, who dedicate their time to nurturing and growing plants to absolute perfection.
The Electric Dreams® Dianthus will give year-round colour, and from April to the first-frost the electric pink two-toned flowers will shine through. Within the winter months, the perennial will provide a beautiful green leaf and the plant can spread to around 30cm wide and 14cm high. Not only is it beautiful to look at, but it’s also a great pollinator because of its single flower pollen, making it a hub for bees and butterflies. To make the most of all the bees and butterflies Electric Dreams® attracts, a top tip is to plant it near fresh produce such as strawberries or apple trees.
With the beautiful, vibrant plant perfect for pots, borders and hanging baskets, the compact moulded shape and intense flower power provides an instantly eye-catching pop of colour to any garden, no matter the size or shape. Exclusively sold at all B&Q stores, the RHS shortlisted plant is available to purchase in 6 packs XL (£10), 10.5cm pots (£3), 13cm pots (3.50) and 21cm bowl (£7).
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
Top-tips on how to make the new Electric Dreams plant flourish:
- Pot in a sunny spot in free-draining, peat-free compost, whether that’s in a pot or border.
- Plant on the surface of the compost
- Give it a good water. In its first year it’s important not to let it dry out as its roots establish – however, it doesn’t like wet feet so try not to overwater
- If you want to feed it, tomato fertilizer works well
- Feeding does encourage flowering, however the best way to continue the colour is to deadhead. As it flowers, the petals will be electric, vibrant pink and eventually start to fade – it’ll then be time to deadhead. Take the head all the way to the next bud
- When there are no more buds on the stem take the stem all the way back to the base of the plant, this will ensure no gaps start to appear and its beautiful, mounded shape will stay intact
- Come winter, you can take your secateurs and cut it back to make a nice little hedgehog of silvery evergreen until next Spring when flowers will be produced again
Road to Chelsea:
The B&Q Gardener of the Year and RHS judges Humaira Ikram and Matt Childs met the team at Whetmans and their Chelsea star, Electric Dreams® to understand the journey behind the Electric® Dreams Dianthus and uncovered the growing process. Their top tips from visiting the store can be found below and on diy.com here.
About B&Q:
B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer with over 300 stores throughout the UK and Ireland, offering great prices, with soon to be over 100,000 products available to order at diy.com for home delivery or click and collect.
B&Q launched the UK’s first home improvement marketplace in March 2022, adding additional choice for consumers. The marketplace offers a unique, integrated experience with in-store returns for many products and Click + Collect options being explored.
Their team of more than 26,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nationwide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
Every year, more than 20 million people improve their homes and make life better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities, including funding B&Q Foundation grants and Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit https://www.diy.com/corporate/community
B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company, operating 1,400 stores in 8 countries across Europe
Unfinished business! Almost two thirds are unsatisfied with their homes, and over 50% have unfinished DIY tasks, reveals B&Q’s new ‘Slice of Home Life’ Report
- B&Q has today launched its ‘Slice of Home Life’ Report, revealing that almost two thirds say that they are currently unsatisfied with their homes – and over 50% have DIY tasks that are unfinished
- The report revealed 8 in 10 of us want to make home improvements, and 3 in 4 people wish home improvements could be quicker and easier
- 7 in 10 people also feel it is important for their home to be sustainable, but only 1 in 10 are very confident about how to make the necessary changes
London, 16 May 2022: In new research released by B&Q today, it’s been revealed that 63% of people are currently unsatisfied with their homes, as their lives change and their homes fail to keep pace. The research, from a new report by the home improvement retailer, revealed that not being up to date with the latest tech, falling short in general décor, or lacking storage space is contributing to the dissatisfaction. What’s more, 8 in 10 people in the UK want to upgrade their homes, and over 50% of the nation have DIY tasks that are unfinished.
The B&Q ‘Slice of Home Life’ Report uncovers the different ways in which we, as a nation, are improving our homes to adapt to changing needs and expectations. The study of 2000 people highlights the common trends and challenges within home improvement, as well as the obstacles we face when it comes to renovation and how we can build our homes to make them a place we can be proud of.
The report revealed that convenience is a big factor holding people back, with 3 in 4 people wishing there was a quicker and easier way to tackle home improvements, and 2 in 3 lacking the confidence to make them.
Furthermore, as we are becoming more aware of the issues surrounding sustainability, we’re increasingly prioritising the planet. 7 in 10 say it is important for their home to be sustainable, despite only 1 in 10 being very confident in making the necessary changes themselves.
Despite this, more than three quarters (77%) believe the state of their home is central to their happiness, to the extent that they rank home satisfaction of higher importance than career progression and socialising with friends. The report went on to reveal that many feel making home improvements enables them to learn new skills (63%) and feel more independent (62%), whilst also giving a greater sense of control over their lives (68%).
There is also a growing number of aspirational projects people wish to do at home. During the pandemic, the importance of gardens and outdoor spaces grew – a trend that is continuing, with 73% of the population aiming to upgrade their outdoor space in the future.
In addition, the report reveals that people, particularly Millennials and Gen Z, are looking to treat themselves and their guests within their homes, with 26% wanting to create a gaming room, 25% a home bar, 24% a home theatre and 23% a home spa.
This is reflected in another top trend that shows how socialising at home is an important part of home satisfaction, with a third (35%) saying they’ve made changes to their home to impress visitors and guests.
Graham Bell, CEO at B&Q said, “The saying ‘home is where the heart is’ couldn’t have been more relevant over the past few years; they’ve become our safe havens, our offices, schools, playgrounds, entertainment spots – and in recent months – places we’ve never felt more thankful for due to events taking place around the world. As we enter into another collective challenge with the rising cost-of-living crisis, we ask how we can help our customers adapt their home to help them save money.
At B&Q, we pride ourselves in understanding what our customers need and in helping make their home improvements easier. We’re doing this through our ongoing focus on convenient products and services, stores and online capabilities, keeping up with the latest trends, or reacting to their real life pressures. This report will help inform the future of B&Q and how we can help the nation build a life.”
In line with the results uncovered in the report, B&Q is continuing to help their customers by making shopping for home improvement products more convenient. Alongside next day delivery, 1-hour click and collect, and project installation services, B&Q are rolling out new, smaller format stores and providing a greater range of choice through the launch of their new specialist home improvement online marketplace, as well as introducing a wider choice of fulfilment options, such as lockers in more convenient locations.
The report can be viewed on B&Q’s website www.diy.com/change-made-easier
-ENDS-
Top 5 Emerging Trends
- Maximising the use of space
- Optimising outdoor life
- Socialising at home
- Rise of smart homes
- Aspirational projects and creating entertainment hubs at home
Notes to editors
About B&Q:
B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer with over 300 stores throughout the UK and Ireland, offering great prices, with soon to be over 100,000 products available to order at diy.com for home delivery or click and collect.
B&Q launched the UK’s first home improvement marketplace in March 2022, adding additional choice for consumers. The marketplace offers a unique, integrated experience with in-store returns for many products and Click + Collect options being explored.
Their team of more than 26,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nationwide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
Every year, more than 20 million people improve their homes and make life better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities, including funding B&Q Foundation grants and Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit https://www.diy.com/corporate/community
B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company, operating 1,400 stores in 8 countries across Europe.
Research details
The research was conducted by Republic, an independent agency. 2,000 members of the UK public aged 18+ were surveyed between 11 February and 17 February 2021. Data was weighted to be nationally representative by age, gender, and region. To inform the content of the survey, Republic conducted three focus groups among the UK public and three in-depth interviews with home improvement experts between 12 and 20 January 2022.
UNCOMMON LAUNCHES NEW B&Q BRAND CAMPAIGN - 'CHANGE. MADE EASIER.' SHOWCASING HOW FAST LIFE CAN CHANGE IN ICONIC FILMIC SPOT
Epic film uses set of full-sized house rotating in-camera with renowned Bowie track
EMBARGO 9AM 29.04.22
Today, Uncommon launch a new brand campaign for the UK's leading home improvement and garden retailer B&Q, titled ‘Change. Made Easier.’ The new work follows the success of ‘Build a Life’, which introduced the brand’s belief that anyone can change their home to make life better. The latest campaign from Uncommon builds on that strategy, showcasing how the brand makes it easy for homes to keep pace when changes happen in life.
B&Q’s mission is to give customers the power to act whenever life strikes; to make the changes they need at a speed that works for them. To do this B&Q knows it needs to be fast, efficient, available, and convenient. This can only be made possible through DIY.com and an unmatched network of over 300 stores – together they give customers access to the Click & Collect service on 28,000 items and home delivery service on 35,000. Here to help with the big stuff too, bulk delivery is available, and bathrooms and kitchens can be designed, financed, and installed via local stores.
To launch the new campaign ‘Change. Made Easier.’ comes an epic 90’ film titled ‘Flip’, showing a woman flip-her-house-beautiful, as she takes control of the exciting arrival of a new baby. We open to see our Mum sitting in the family’s spare box room, cluttered with all the usual bits and bobs that haven’t found a place just yet, she stares down at the positive pregnancy test. Her eyes glint with equal hope and concern of the unknown ahead as she exhales a deep breath. Her partner enters the room with a cup of tea, she quickly hides the test as she gathers her thoughts.
We then hear the opening piano interlude, from David Bowie’s iconic track ‘Sound and Vision’, as our protagonist begins to move through her home with this news at the forefront of her mind. She looks around her house, as her son and partner sit at the kitchen table playing at Breakfast time, she knows change needs to happen ahead of welcoming her child to the world. As she looks down at her phone, she smiles as she proactively and seamlessly clicks to start that process in motion with B&Q, through the brand’s own DIY app. The shadows from outside begin to spill through the window, as we see her home begin, to literally and figuratively, flip.
Controlled chaos unfolds around her and her family; books fall from their shelves, the kitchen table slides to the back wall, pots and pans fall from every cupboard. Our protagonist doesn’t seem fazed - she moves towards it. Elegantly climbing out of the kitchen window waving to her partner and son - the house is now turned 180 degrees. She climbs effortlessly to the top of the garden, with the support of a garden hose and stepping stones, she sits on the bed of soil from her garden’s roots as the tracks pauses, we hear the distant sound of children playing; she has a moment to take it all in as looks across the neighbouring homes from high above.
With confidence and ease she slides down the family’s now refreshed garden, back through the window into their newly designed open kitchen and living area. She makes her way back over to the spare room, opening the door, where we now see a nursery. She excitedly now shares the news to her family: ‘I’m pregnant.’ Her partner gushes with pride and goes to show his support as their family embark on this next chapter - we see the couple embrace through the door frame of their soon-to-be baby’s new room.
We pan out on the surrounding landscape, to see other neighbouring homes transforming in this same flip motion. The film finishes on the poignant copy: ‘Change. Made Easier.’ symbolising change in life moments made easier through B&Q’s incredible convenience offering in app, in-store and online.
Chris Graham, B&Q Director of Marketing said: “Today, as the world opens up, change continues to be all around us. Adapting to that change isn’t always easy and when it comes to home improvement our customers have less and less time to make the changes they need. Almost a third of consumers tell us that time is a key barrier for them. At B&Q, we’re on a mission to ensure that improving a home and building a life with B&Q is easy and convenient – whether via our stores, our app or online at DIY.com.
It has been amazing working with the team on this project. The Flip concept connected with us immediately - telling a story that is close to our hearts, a story of life, a story of change. It’s home at the speed of life”.
Nils Leonard, Co-founder, Uncommon Creative Studio added: “Nobody just wakes up and decides to improve their home. Life happens, things change, and your home needs to change with them.
B&Q enables us to do just that with ease. This film is a powerful story of change, made easy, all captured in one beautiful moment. Uncommon wanted to take our partnership with this iconic British brand to a new level with this campaign, and we wanted to work with the best British talent to realise it. David Bowie is the soundtrack to the excellent Oscar Hudson’s vision capturing a moment of change, made easy.”
The craft of the production was brought to bear with Director Oscar Hudson through Pulse Films - best known for his award-winning music videos for the likes of Bonobo and Radiohead. The film was shot entirely in-camera - after numerous models, 3D builds, and several practice set builds - the 24-ton rotating set came to life. The house itself was built to fit in a football stadium, as no regular studios has a large enough capacity, as at its highest point the double-sided house was over six storeys. The final set build was twice as big as Stanley Kubrick’s rotating spaceship in 2001. Not only that, the actors involved in the film felt the means of gravity whilst shooting, making their movements look natural and even poetic with our rock-climbing trained actress.
The work launches on Saturday night during ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent and will run across TV, VOD and cinema for one month. The work will be supported by a thought provoking iconic digital outdoor and print campaign in the coming weeks - stay tuned.
-ENDS-
CREDITS
- Project name: Flip
- Client: B&Q
- Agency: Uncommon
- Creative Studio Production Company: Pulse Films
- Director: Oscar Hudson
- MD / Exec. Producer: James Sorton
- Exec. Producer: Lucy Kelly
- Producer: Neil Andrews
- Production Manager: Kishan Patel
- DOP: Jess Hall
- Production Design: Dan Betteridge
- Stylist: Emma Lipop
- 1st AD: Julian Richards
- Movement Director: Charlie Mayhew
- Service Company: Icon Films, Bulgaria
- Service Producers: Emil Rangelov & Beba Yordanova
- Service Production Manager: Vladdy Karanikolov
- Local Production Designer: Eva Vento
- Local SFX: Nikolay Fartunkov, Orlin Budinov & Vassil Vassilev
- Edit House: TenThree
- Editor: Ellie Johnson
- Edit Producer: Ed Hoadley
- Post-Production: Electric Theatre Collective
- Post Production Producer: Holly Treacy
- CG lead: Patrick Krafft
- Colourist: Luke Morrison
- VFX Lead: Alex Snookes
- Music Supervision: Dan Neale @ Native
- Audio Post-Production: Factory London
- Sound Design & Mix: Anthony Moore
- Sound Design & Foley: Frankie Beirne
- Audio Producers: Lou Allen & Ciara Wakely
- Media Agency: Dentsu
NOTES TO EDITORS:
For more information, please contact the B&Q Press Officeb&qpressoffice@freuds.com/ 020 3003 6633.
About B&Q
- B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across over 40,000 products at over 300 stores across the UK and Ireland, and on diy.com
- Their team of more than 27,000 (15,812 FTE) colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
- Every year, more than 20 million people improve their homes and make life better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities, including funding B&Q Foundation grants and Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit https://www.diy.com/corporate/community
- B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company, operating 1,400 stores in 8 countries across Europe.
B&Q’S GARDENER OF THE YEAR COMPETITION RETURNS
WITH DAME PRUE LEITH JUDGING BRITAIN’S GARDENS TO WIN £10,000 PRIZE
- B&Q celebrates Britain’s ‘real’ gardens with the return of the B&Q Gardener of the Year competition - with fresh categories to enter and a new celebrity face heading up the judging pane
- Restauranteur, GBBO judge and gardening enthusiast Dame Prue Leith joins the judging panel for 2022, alongside returning judges and gardening experts Matt Childs, Humaira Ikram and Steve Guy
- The winner of the competition will receive a £10,000 cash prize and B&Q’s coveted Golden Trowel award. Three runners up will be awarded £1,000
- Four new categories for 2022 – The Classic Gardener, The Year-Round Gardener, The Productive Gardener and The Eccentric Gardener
- To enter, visit diy.com/gardener-of-the-year and submit entries by noon 20th June 2022
20th April, London: Today B&Q announces the return of its B&Q Gardener of the Year competition, celebrating the wonderful world of Britain’s amateur gardeners. With fresh categories, the delightful Dame Prue Leith on the judging panel and £10,000 up for grabs, this competition has quickly become a highlight in the gardening calendar.
Following last year's success, which saw Sunderland firefighter, Gary McLaughlan, crowned B&Q Gardener of the Year - his 4.5m x 3.5m concrete yard transformation showed that everyone has the potential to wow the judges, no matter the size of your garden or your experience.
B&Q Gardener of the Year 2022 looks a little different this year with Dame Prue Leith swapping her spatula for secateurs and leading this year’s judging panel. An avid gardener herself, Dame Prue says that gardening has been the love of her life over the past 45 years, making her the perfect judge for year two of the competition.
Joining Dame Prue are returning judges and award-winning garden designers, Matt Childs and Humaira Ikram, along with B&Q Outdoor Director, Steve Guy. Matt has been responsible for designing multiple medal-winning show gardens at both the RHS Chelsea and RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Shows. Humaira, meanwhile, is a professional garden designer, a regular contributor on BBC Gardeners Question Time and will this year be an RHS judge at many of its shows. Steve’s 35 years in the home gardening industry makes him our expert on what makes a truly magnificent ‘real’ gardener.
This mighty team will shortlist all entries to ultimately crown this year’s B&Q Gardener of the Year, who will be awarded £10,000, a £2,500 B&Q gift card and the prestigious ‘Golden Trowel’ award. Three runners up will also be rewarded £1,000 for their gardening prowess.
This year the nation will showcase their green fingers in four brand new categories. Perhaps you’re a Classic Gardener, who appreciates the importance of time, care and attention when building your outdoor space. A Year-Round Gardener whose garden thrives no matter the season. A Productive Gardener who makes sure their outdoor space works as hard as they do, or perhaps an Eccentric Gardener who doesn’t follow the rules and always embraces the unexpected.
Across all categories, gardeners will be commended for their use of sustainable practices, for example by using peat-free compost, as well as showcasing how they have encouraged and allowed nature to thrive in their outdoor space.
No matter what type of gardener you are, only the very best will be crowned B&Q Gardener of the Year 2022. To help get your green fingers on the crown, B&Q’s range of over 2,000 plants, which have been vetted for quality at every stage, will help make every outdoor space bloom this year.
Prue Leith, judge of B&Q Gardener of the year, says; “I am so excited to be part of this year’s B&Q Gardener of the Year competition after seeing the success of last year. I love to celebrate creative flair in many different forms and see people’s imaginations come to life through their craft, so I’m looking forward to seeing how the fantastic British gardeners maximise their outdoor space and allow nature to thrive (alongside maybe getting a bit of inspiration for my own garden too). Good luck to everyone entering!”
Steve Guy, B&Q Outdoor Category Director, says: “It’s fair to say we were blown away by last year’s entries. I’ve always known the people of Britain truly love their gardens and, for me, the passion and creativity we show through our outdoor space really is the best in the world. So, needless to say, I’m incredibly excited about seeing what you’ve all been up to this past year. At B&Q, we truly believe gardening should be for everyone, we have a range of over 2,000 different plants across the year, catering for every type of garden. And as the UK’s largest garden centre, we take our role of offering sustainable, nature friendly products very seriously. Because our gardens are our chance to make a difference to our corner of the planet.
In addition, the Community Garden of the Year award is also back, after the competition in 2021 saw the Brickmakers Wood community garden in Ipswich win the prize. The prize that looks to democratise gardening celebrates outdoor spaces, which have been created by the community for the community with the aim of improving the life and wellbeing of those in the surrounding area. The winning garden will receive a £2,500 B&Q gift card to spend on their community space.
The B&Q Gardener of the year competition is open now and close at 11.59 20th June, anyone can enter via diy.com/gardener-of-the-year.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
About B&Q:
Notes to Editors
About B&Q:
B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer with over 300 stores throughout the UK and Ireland, offering great prices, with soon to be over 100,000 products available to order at diy.com for home delivery or click and collect.
B&Q launched the UK’s first home improvement marketplace in March 2022, adding additional choice for consumers. The marketplace offers a unique, integrated experience with in-store returns for many products and Click + Collect options being explored.
Their team of more than 26,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nationwide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
Every year, more than 20 million people improve their homes and make life better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities, including funding B&Q Foundation grants and Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit https://www.diy.com/corporate/community
B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company, operating 1,400 stores in 8 countries across Europe.
B&Q'S GARDENER OF THE YEAR COMPETITION RETURNS WITH DAME PRUE LEITH JUDGING BRITAIN'S GARDENS TO WIN £10,000 PRIZE
- B&Q celebrates Britain’s ‘real’ gardens with the return of the B&Q Gardener of the Year competition - with fresh categories to enter and a new celebrity face heading up the judging panel
- Restauranteur, GBBO judge and gardening enthusiast Dame Prue Leith joins the judging panel for 2022, alongside returning judges and gardening experts Matt Childs, Humaira Ikram and Steve Guy
- The winner of the competition will receive a £10,000 cash prize and B&Q’s coveted Golden Trowel award. Three runners up will be awarded £1,000
- Four new categories for 2022 – The Classic Gardener, The Year-Round Gardener, The Productive Gardener and The Eccentric Gardener
- To enter, visit diy.com/gardener-of-the-year and submit entries by noon 20th June 2022
20th April, London: Today B&Q announces the return of its B&Q Gardener of the Year competition, celebrating the wonderful world of Britain’s amateur gardeners. With fresh categories, the delightful Dame Prue Leith on the judging panel and £10,000 up for grabs, this competition has quickly become a highlight in the gardening calendar.
Following last year's success, which saw Sunderland firefighter, Gary McLaughlan, crowned B&Q Gardener of the Year - his 4.5m x 3.5m concrete yard transformation showed that everyone has the potential to wow the judges, no matter the size of your garden or your experience.
B&Q Gardener of the Year 2022 looks a little different this year with Dame Prue Leith swapping her spatula for secateurs, and leading this year’s judging panel. An avid gardener herself, Dame Prue says that gardening has been the love of her life over the past 45 years, making her the perfect judge for year two of the competition.
Joining Dame Prue are returning judges and award-winning garden designers, Matt Childs and Humaira Ikram, along with B&Q Outdoor Director, Steve Guy. Matt has been responsible for designing multiple medal-winning show gardens at both the RHS Chelsea and RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Shows. Humaira, meanwhile, is a professional garden designer, a regular contributor on BBC Gardeners Question Time and will this year be an RHS judge at many of its shows. Steve’s 35 years in the home gardening industry makes him our expert on what makes a truly magnificent ‘real’ gardener.
This mighty team will shortlist all entries to ultimately crown this year’s B&Q Gardener of the Year, who will be awarded £10,000, a £2,500 B&Q gift card and the prestigious ‘Golden Trowel’ award. Three runners up will also be rewarded £1,000 for their gardening prowess.
This year the nation will showcase their green fingers in four brand new categories. Perhaps you’re a Classic Gardener, who appreciates the importance of time, care and attention when building your outdoor space. A Year-Round Gardener whose garden thrives no matter the season. A Productive Gardener who makes sure their outdoor space works as hard as they do, or perhaps an Eccentric Gardener who doesn’t follow the rules and always embraces the unexpected.
Across all categories, gardeners will be commended for their use of sustainable practices, for example by using peat-free compost, as well as showcasing how they have encouraged and allowed nature to thrive in their outdoor space.
No matter what type of gardener you are, only the very best will be crowned B&Q Gardener of the Year 2022. To help get your green fingers on the crown, B&Q’s range of over 2,000 plants, which have been vetted for quality at every stage, will help make every outdoor space bloom this year.
Prue Leith, judge of B&Q Gardener of the year, says; “I am so excited to be part of this year’s B&Q Gardener of the Year competition after seeing the success of last year. I love to celebrate creative flair in many different forms and see people’s imaginations come to life through their craft, so I’m looking forward to seeing how the fantastic British gardeners maximise their outdoor space and allow nature to thrive (alongside maybe getting a bit of inspiration for my own garden too). Good luck to everyone entering!”
Steve Guy, B&Q Outdoor Category Director, says: “It’s fair to say we were blown away by last year’s entries. I’ve always known the people of Britain truly love their gardens and, for me, the passion and creativity we show through our outdoor space really is the best in the world. So, needless to say, I’m incredibly excited about seeing what you’ve all been up to this past year. At B&Q, we truly believe gardening should be for everyone, we have a range of over 2,000 different plants across the year, catering for every type of garden. And as the UK’s largest garden centre, we take our role of offering sustainable, nature friendly products very seriously. Because our gardens are our chance to make a difference to our corner of the planet.
In addition, the Community Garden of the Year award is also back, after the competition in 2021 saw the Brickmakers Wood community garden in Ipswich win the prize. The prize that looks to democratise gardening celebrates outdoor spaces, which have been created by the community for the community with the aim of improving the life and wellbeing of those in the surrounding area. The winning garden will receive a £2,500 B&Q gift card to spend on their community space.
The B&Q Gardener of the year competition is open now and closes at 11.59 20th June, anyone can enter via diy.com/gardener-of-the-year.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
About B&Q:
B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across over 40,000 products in 300 stores across the UK and on diy.com.
Their team of more than 27,000 (15,812 FTE*) colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities undertaking home improvement projects and raising money to fund Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit https://www.diy.com/corporate/community
B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,400 stores in 8 countries across Europe.
*year end 2020-21 figures
B&Q DRIVES E-COMMERCE EXPANSION WITH LAUNCH OF NEW HOME IMPROVEMENT MARKETPLACE AT DIY.COM
- B&Q are enhancing their ecommerce platform to offer unparalleled choice, with the ambition of millions of products being available
- Customers will have access to an additional 100,000 products within six months via selected third-party sellers – tripling the existing number of SKUs
- Marketplaces are the fastest growing channel in ecommerce and B&Q underlines its ambition with this large-scale expansion of its platform
- An opportunity for sellers to raise their profile through association with this trusted brand, plus access to significant digital traffic at diy.com, one of the top retail websites in the UK
- The marketplace offers a unique, integrated experience for customers with in-store returns for many products and Click + Collect options coming in the future
March 10th 2022: B&Q, the UK’s most recognisable and trusted home improvement retailer, today announces the launch of a new online home improvement marketplace.
Choice is vital for customers when it comes to home improvement and B&Q’s new marketplace proposition will both expand existing ranges and add new categories, with products available for home delivery and Click + Collect options coming in the future. Within six months, 100,000 more home improvement products will be available to buy at diy.com from third-party sellers, in addition to the 40,000 products currently sold by B&Q – more than tripling the range customers can choose from – with the ambition to offer unparalleled choice with millions of products available.
At launch, customers will be able to choose from an expanded selection of wallpaper, lighting, and power tools, as well as a new range of small domestic appliances - a new category for B&Q. Over the coming weeks, third-party sellers will bring thousands more new products from a broad range of brands, including Osram, Black & Decker and Breville, while offering competitive prices and fast delivery options.
Marketplaces are growing in popularity, with nearly half (48%) of online product searches now starting on marketplace platforms in key markets including the UK and US [survey by Inriver]. B&Q’s new marketplace in partnership with Mirakl will accelerate its e-commerce growth. It will be hosted online at B&Q’s website (diy.com) and the B&Q app, offering the convenience of a ‘one stop shop’ for home improvement products, hosted by a brand they know and trust.
B&Q is one of the UK’s most recognisable and credible home improvement retail brands, with a history dating back over 50 years. Today, diy.com is one of the top retail websites in the UK with significant traffic, giving third-party sellers access to a new far-reaching sales platform. For B&Q, the launch of a marketplace means diy.com will become even more of a strategic asset to the business, as site traffic grows in line with an increased product offering.
The seamless, multi-channel approach of B&Q’s marketplace makes it even easier for customers to shop with both online and in-store benefits. The integration with B&Q’s network of over 300 stores nationwide means customers can conveniently return many items purchased from the marketplace in-store, with Click + Collect options available in the future.
Graham Bell CEO, B&Q, commented: “At B&Q, we’re focused on improving shopping experiences for our customers to make shopping with us even more convenient. Around 85% of our customers’ shopping journeys start online. With the launch of marketplace, customers can now access an even bigger choice of home improvement products online, with the convenient option to return many products at their local store, with Click + Collect options coming in time. Marketplaces are a rapidly growing retail phenomenon around the world and we’re excited by the potential this model brings in combination with the convenience of our fulfilment capabilities. The unique multichannel combination of this online marketplace, along with our network of 300 stores, means we can offer customers a level of choice, speed and convenience that pure play retailers cannot match.”
B&Q’s marketplace fully reflects evolving customer demand, with the shift to online and the need for speed, convenience, and choice, and creates a scalable model for Kingfisher, B&Q’s parent company, to roll out marketplaces in other markets and banners.
To support the operation of the marketplace model, Kingfisher has partnered with marketplace platform Mirakl, the industry’s leading enterprise marketplace SaaS platform. Building the marketplace for B&Q offers UK customers the chance to benefit from broader choice, something that other Kingfisher banners will be able to rollout under this scalable technology platform. Mirakl brings a wealth of expertise, shaped by working with over 300 of the world’s leading enterprises that have adopted the marketplace model to thrive in a rapidly evolving e-commerce landscape, including Decathlon, Joules, and H&M Home.
Adrien Nussenbaum, Co-founder and Co-CEO, Mirakl, added: “B&Q truly understands the value of the marketplace to quickly, meet customer demand for a wider product range to improve their home. Our wealth of experience in launching and scaling a marketplace has enabled B&Q to achieve a completely seamless integration of the marketplace into their existing eCommerce platform on diy.com. We look forward to seeing the growth of the platform in the months to come.”
All third-party sellers at diy.com will be selected by B&Q experts. Sellers undergo a verification process to ensure they complement B&Q’s existing offer. Products sold by third-party sellers are easily identified by the description ‘sold and shipped by [seller name]’ underneath the product title.
B&Q marketplace launches at diy.com and on the B&Q app on Thursday 10 March 2022.
-Ends-
About B&Q:
B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across over 40,000 products in 300 stores across the UK and on diy.com.
Their team of more than 27,000 (15,812 FTE*) colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities undertaking home improvement projects and raising money to fund Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit https://www.diy.com/corporate/community
B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,400 stores in 8 countries across Europe.
*year end 2020-21 figures
About Mirakl:
Mirakl offers the industry’s first and most advanced enterprise marketplace SaaS platform. With Mirakl, organizations across B2B and B2C industries can launch marketplaces faster, grow bigger, and operate with confidence as they exceed rising customer expectations. Platforms are the new competitive advantage in eCommerce, and the world’s most trusted brands choose Mirakl for its comprehensive solution of technology, expertise, and the Mirakl Connect ecosystem to unlock the power of the platform business model for them.
As a result, companies like ABB, Astore by AccorHotels, Best Buy Canada, Carrefour, Catch, Changi Airport, Darty, The Kroger Co., Leroy Merlin, Maisons du Monde, Metro, and Toyota Material Handling gain the speed, scale, and agility to win in the changing eCommerce landscape. For more information: www.mirakl.com.
B&Q OPENS NEW STORE IN GREAT BRIDGE ASDA SUPERSTORE
15th December 2021: B&Q, the UK’s leading home improvement retailer, has opened its latest ‘shop within shop’ compact B&Q store in Asda Great Bridge, West Midlands.
The new store sits inside the Asda Great Bridge store, providing customers easy access to a broad range of great value products and the opportunity to complete many different shopping activities in a single trip. Customers can also place an order via diy.com for home delivery or Click & Collect.
- B&Q opens eighth Asda concession store, following successful launches in Hartlepool, Lancaster, Thurmaston, Edmonton, Roehampton, Sheffield and Dagenham.
- The B&Q concession in Asda Great Bridge will offer a range of paint as well as tools, hardware and other DIY essentials
- Customers will be able to shop B&Q’s full range at diy.com and order a broader range of products online for collection from the store
Jamie Bunting, Regional Manager, B&Q, commented: “We’re delighted to be opening the new B&Q concession store within Asda Great Bridge and to be providing customers with a more convenient way to shop for home improvement products and services.”
“The B&Q concession within Asda Great Bridge will have a great selection of DIY essential items, expert help and advice from our colleagues, as well as digital access to our broader range of products.”
“We recognise that the way customers shop is always changing, and this is just one way we want to make lives of our customers easier and able to access materials and equipment closer to their homes.”
Jon Howells, Store Manager at Asda Great Bridge, said: “We are delighted to have been chosen by B&Q as the location for one of their new compact stores. Asda customers will be able to access a range of B&Q’s essential home improvement products and expert advice alongside their regular shop, as this new partnership brings a broader range of great value products and services to our store.”
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS:
For more information, please contact the B&Q Press Office b&qpressoffice@freuds.com / 020 3003 6633.
B&Q Great Bridge
Address: Brickhouse Ln S, Tipton DY4 7HW
About B&Q
- B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across over 40,000 products at over 300 stores across the UK and Ireland, and on diy.com
- Their team of more than 27,000 (15,812 FTE) colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
- Every year, more than 20 million people improve their homes and make life better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities, including funding B&Q Foundation grants and Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit https://www.diy.com/corporate/community
- B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company, operating 1,400 stores in 8 countries across Europe.
B&Q OPENS NEW STORE IN HARTLEPOOL ASDA SUPERSTORE
2nd December 2021: B&Q, the UK’s leading home improvement retailer, has opened its latest ‘shop within shop’ compact B&Q store in Asda Hartlepool.
The new store sits inside the Asda Hartlepool store, providing customers easy access to a broad range of great value products and the opportunity to complete many different shopping activities in a single trip. Customers can also place an order via diy.com for home delivery or Click & Collect.
- B&Q opens seventh Asda concession store, following successful launches in Lancaster, Thurmaston, Edmonton, Roehampton, Sheffield and Dagenham.
- The store within Asda Hartlepool is the penultimate new concession store within Asda supermarkets to open this year
- The B&Q concession in Asda Hartlepool will offer a range of paint as well as tools, hardware and other DIY essentials
- Customers will be able to shop B&Q’s full range at diy.com and order a broader range of products online for collection from the store
Jamie Bunting, Regional Manager, B&Q, commented: “We’re delighted to be opening the new B&Q concession store within Asda Hartlepool and to be providing customers with a more convenient way to shop for home improvement products and services.”
“The B&Q concession within Asda Hartlepool will have a great selection of DIY essential items, expert help and advice from our colleagues, as well as digital access to our broader range of products.”
“We recognise that the way customers shop is always changing, and this is just one way we want to make lives of our customers easier and able to access materials and equipment closer to their homes.”
Emma Frostick, Store Manager at Asda Hartlepool, said: “We are delighted to have been chosen by B&Q as the location for one of their new compact stores. Asda customers will be able to access a range of B&Q’s essential home improvement products and expert advice alongside their regular shop, as this new partnership brings a broader range of great value products and services to our store.”
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS:
For more information, please contact the B&Q Press Office b&qpressoffice@freuds.com / 020 3003 6633.
B&Q Hartlepool
Address: Marina Way, Hartlepool TS24 0XR
About B&Q
- B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across over 40,000 products at over 300 stores across the UK and Ireland, and on diy.com
- Their team of more than 27,000 (15,812 FTE) colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
- Every year, more than 20 million people improve their homes and make life better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities, including funding B&Q Foundation grants and Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit https://www.diy.com/corporate/community
- B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company, operating 1,400 stores in 8 countries across Europe.
B&Q OPENS NEW STORE IN LANCASTER ASDA SUPERSTORE
25th November 2021: B&Q, the UK’s leading home improvement retailer, has opened its latest ‘shop within shop’ compact B&Q store in Asda Lancaster.
The new store sits inside the Asda Lancaster store, providing customers easy access to a broad range of great value products and the opportunity to complete many different shopping activities in a single trip. Customers can also place an order via diy.com for home delivery or Click & Collect.
- B&Q opens sixth Asda concession store, following successful launches in Thurmaston, Edmonton, Roehampton, Sheffield and Dagenham.
- The store within Asda Lancaster is the first of three more new concession stores within Asda supermarkets to open this year
- The B&Q concession in Asda Lancaster will offer a range of paint as well as tools, hardware and other DIY essentials
- Customers will be able to shop B&Q’s full range at diy.com and order a broader range of products online for collection from the store
Jamie Bunting, Regional Manager, B&Q, commented: “We’re delighted to be opening the new B&Q concession store within Asda Lancaster and to be providing customers with a more convenient way to shop for home improvement products and services.”
“The B&Q concession within Asda Lancaster will have a great selection of DIY essential items, expert help and advice from our colleagues, as well as digital access to our broader range of products.”
“We recognise that the way customers shop is always changing, and this is just one way we want to make lives of our customers easier and able to access materials and equipment closer to their homes.”
Zara Hunter, Store Manager at Asda Lancaster, said: “We are delighted to have been chosen by B&Q as one of their new compact B&Q stores. Customers will be able to access a range of B&Q’s essential home improvement products and expert advice alongside their regular shop, as part of a wider investment that will bring a broader range of great value products and services to our store.”
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS:
For more information, please contact the B&Q Press Office b&qpressoffice@freuds.com / 020 3003 6633.
B&Q Lancaster
Address: Ovangle Rd, Lancaster LA1 5JR
About B&Q
- B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across over 40,000 products at over 300 stores across the UK and Ireland, and on diy.com
- Their team of more than 27,000 (15,812 FTE) colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
- Every year, more than 20 million people improve their homes and make life better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities, including funding B&Q Foundation grants and Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit https://www.diy.com/corporate/community
- B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company, operating 1,400 stores in 8 countries across Europe.
B&Q OPENS NEW COLCHESTER STORE
- B&Q opens its new Colchester store at Stane Park to help make it easier for customers to do their home improvement projects
- The Mayor declares the store officially open with ribbon cutting ceremony
- B&Q will host activities to celebrate the opening on Friday 29 October, including a community mural painting with award winning local artist, Lucy Tiffney
22nd October 2021: B&Q’s new Colchester store was declared officially open today with a formal cutting of the ribbon by the Mayor of Colchester, Councillor Robert Davidson.
Relocated from B&Q Lightship Way to Stane Park’s brand-new retail park, B&Q is the first to open at the new development.
Caroline Voutsinas, B&Q Stane Park, Store Manager, said: “DIY has really captured the imagination of the nation over the past 18-months, so our new and improved B&Q in Colchester is very timely, giving Colchester DIY-ers and tradespeople a much improved store experience with plenty of exciting new features to make home improvement easier than ever. I cannot wait to welcome the local community into the store.”
To celebrate the new store, the UK’s leading home improvement retailer is inviting Colchester residents to take part in a fun-filled extravaganza of activities on Friday 29 October.
The centre-piece of the celebration will be a mural inspired by Colchester, painted by award winning local artist and BBC Great Interior Design Challenge finalist Lucy Tiffney From 7am until 3pm on 29 October, Lucy will be outside the new store, equipped with paint pots and brushes, and B&Q is inviting the people of Colchester to help join in and bring it to life.
Lucy Tiffney, Colchester-born local mural artist, said: “I’m really looking forward to bringing my work to life at the B&Q Colchester launch celebration, working alongside the community to create a beautiful mural that celebrates Colchester and what it means to us. For anyone who fancies a fun half-term activity, do come down and give it a go!”
The mural design will feature an homage to three local charities chosen by colleagues of the new store - St Helena Hospice, Beacon House and Hamilton Primary School - who will each receive the relevant segment of the mural once it is complete. B&Q will also be donating a £500 gift card to each of the charities.
Actual Radio Colchester will also be on-site to host the celebration – plus:
- B&Q gift cards up for grabs for some lucky customers
- Product demos
- 15% discount in store
The new store offers a huge range of products for all home improvement needs, as well as:
- A purpose-built garden centre with a dedicated garden showroom
- A brand-new showroom featuring the latest kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms in interactive, inspirational displays
- A dedicated load and go area for TradePoint customers to support bulk orders and easy access
- A brand new ‘shop in a shop’ for workwear, a first for B&Q
- A digital hub to support store to home delivery
Services including paint mixing and Click + Collect via diy.com. This latest opening is one of the largest B&Q stores in the last decade. It combines instore shopping missions with digital fulfilment fully representing B&Q’s commitment to grow e-commerce with stores at the centre.
The new store is open 7 days a week: Monday-Saturday 7am-8pm, and on Sunday 11am-4pm.
B&Q Lightship Way, closed its doors on 21 October.
B&Q is continuing to encourage customers to wear face coverings and has maintained social distancing measures to help customers shop safely.
For more information, including inspirational ideas and practical advice on home improvement, visit DIY.com.
ENDS
Notes to editors
For more info, please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Qpressoffice@freuds.com / 020 3003 6633.
B&Q Colchester (120,466 sq. ft)
Address: Unit B , Stane Retail Park, Western Approach, Stanway, Colchester, CO3 8DW
About B&Q
- B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across over 40,000 products at over 300 stores across the UK and Ireland, and on diy.com
- Their team of more than 27,000 (15,812 FTE) colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
- Every year, more than 20 million people improve their homes and make life better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities, including funding B&Q Foundation grants and Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit https://www.diy.com/corporate/community
- B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company, operating 1,400 stores in 8 countries across Europe.
SEX, PHONE CALLS AND EATING BREAKFAST - B&Q REVEALS WHAT'S BEHIND BRITAIN'S BATHROOM DOORS
- Over a third of homeowners (42%) consider the bathroom as a place to escape for a bit of peace and quiet, away from the rest of the household.
- 1 in 6 Brits consider the bathroom to be the heart of the home.
- Eating breakfast in the shower, having a cup of tea on the toilet and phoning friends to catch-up and having sex are just some of the unusual activities adults do whilst in the bathroom.
- Almost three quarters (73%) of Brits religiously shower and wash themselves in the same order daily, with the face first, followed by hair, arms, and armpits.
- It’s official – 67% of Brits say over is the right way to hang the loo roll - with 80% Brits stating they are very particular about what way round the toilet roll hangs in the bathroom.
10th September, 2021: Eating breakfast in the shower, having a cup of tea on the toilet and even taking video calls from the bath are just some of the weird and wonderful things Brits get up to in the bathroom. And that’s not all…sex, phoning friends, drinking beer and writing to-do lists are other activities Brits have been known to do in the bathroom.
B&Q, the UK’s leading home improvement retailer has, today, released data which explores the weird and wonderful bathroom habits of the nation; how they use them and the unique and unusual rituals of this precious alone time. The findings show that people in the UK use the bathroom as a source of escapism, somewhere to be inspired, and somewhere to keep their secrets.
B&Q’s study of 2,000 adults found that 42% of Brits admitted they often escape to the bathroom for a bit of peace and quiet to get away from the rest of their household. In fact, the study highlighted that over 50% of the nation purposefully take extra-long showers so that they can have more time to themselves.
The bathroom isn’t used just to escape from other household members. More than one third say they have done something in the bathroom that they have kept a secret, including eating, taking a nap, and having sex.
The bathroom is also a source of inspiration for many Brits, with 37% of those asked saying they have some of their best ideas when having a shower or a bath, and many listing the bathroom as a place where they are inspired to write their to-do-lists.
However, one of the biggest rituals adopted by Brits is that they’re very specific about how they shower every morning. A staggering 73% of participants flagged that they must shower in the same order, with the most popular washing routine consisting of washing the face first, followed by hair, arms, and armpits.
A further 82% of participants were also very particular about which way round the toilet roll must face when hung up in the bathroom.
Gemma Taylor, Head of Bathrooms at B&Q added:
“The bathroom is more than just a suite, taps and showers. It’s where we go when we need to be ourselves, it sees our greatest moments of vulnerability, both small and big. At B&Q we help our customers build perfect spaces, with everything under one roof and our showroom teams ready to help, we want Brits to create that perfect space that’s all theirs, allowing them to be whoever they want to be.”
The survey highlighted that 1 in 6 would describe the bathroom as the heart of the home – yet, despite this, more than a quarter don’t like the way theirs is decorated, with 36% of Brits stating that they have big plans to give the bathroom a makeover.
Some of the most popular improvements that were listed by respondents included making the bathroom bigger, adding a fresh colour to the room, and changing the tiles, with 1 in 5 adding that they wished they could have underfloor heating installed.
The survey also emphasised that things like toilets that didn’t flush properly, taps that leaked, and constantly running out of loo roll were some of the nation’s biggest irritations when it came to their bathroom.
-ends-
Notes to editors
Research details: OnePoll survey of 2,000 homeowners conducted in September 2021.
TOP 40 UNUSUAL THINGS ADULTS HAVE DONE IN THE BATHROOM
- Cried
- Read a book
- Had sex
- Just hid out to avoid people
- Tried on new clothes/shoes
- Phoned friends/loved ones
- Washed the dog
- Fallen asleep in the bath
- Had a cup of tea
- Hung the washing to dry
- Sang in the mirror
- Given yourself a pep talk
- Played online games
- Painted your toenails
- Answered work emails
- Streamed a TV show in the bath
- Planned the weekly food shop
- Played video games
- Written to-do lists
- Watched the news
- Played games while sat on the toilet (like throwing a toilet roll into a bin)
- Taken or edited photos
- Fantasied about a scenario in the mirror
- Had a dance
- Had a beer
- Streamed a TV show on the loo
- Exercised
- Practiced a speech
- Had a sleep on the floor
- Stood on the side of the bath or toilet to see your whole outfit/shoes
- Had a business idea
- Answered the phone to your boss
- Fallen asleep on the loo
- Done some washing up
- Re-enacted a part of your day in the mirror
- Sent a message on a dating app
- Given houseplants a ‘spa day’
- Taken a video call on the loo
- Taken a video call in the bath
- Painted or drawn something
About B&Q
B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across over 40,000 products in 300 stores across the UK and on diy.com
Their team of more than 27,000 (15,812 FTE) colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities undertaking home improvement projects and raising money to fund Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit https://www.diy.com/corporate/community
B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,380 stores in 8 countries across Europe
IPSWICH'S BRICKMAKERS WOOD WINS FIRST EVER B&Q COMMUNITY GARDEN OF THE YEAR
- B&Q has crowned the winner of its first B&Q Community garden of the year; Brickmakers Wood in Ipswich
- The community garden received a B&Q Green Card worth £2500, the highly coveted Golden Trowel award and an expert consultation session with award-winning garden designers, Matt Childs and Humaira Ikram
The winner of the first-ever B&Q Community garden of the year competition is today announced as Brickmakers Wood community garden, based in Brickmakers Wood, Ipswich. Previously an unmanaged site, littered with decades worth of rubbish, Brickmakers Wood has been transformed by local volunteers into a lush and vibrant space for the residents to enjoy.
The judging panel, made up of RHS experts, Matthew Childs and Humaira Ikram, B&Q Outdoor Category Director, Steve Guy, and comedy genius and gardening enthusiast, Jim Moir, selected Brickmakers Wood during a tough day of deliberation. Each entry was judged against how the garden had benefitted the local community, as well as the overall design and range of plants used.
As B&Q Community garden of the year winner, Brickmakers Wood, received a B&Q Green Card worth £2500, as well as an expert consultation session with award-winning garden designers, Matt Childs and Humaira Ikram which took place last week. The garden designers, Matt and Humaira presented the winners of B&Q Community garden of the year with their Golden Trowel trophy, as well as providing guidance and expertise about how to further expand and grow the garden, alongside tips and tricks for improving and expanding Brickmakers Woods’ new eco garden space.
Brickmakers Wood, a local charity and urban community garden, was previously an unmanaged site, used for illicit activity and littered with decades worth of fly-tipping. Following involvement from over 3,000 volunteers, including local employees and disadvantaged young people, the space has been transformed into a tranquil community garden, greatly benefiting the local community.
After over 10,000 volunteer hours, Brickmakers Wood now features lush greens and vibrant colours. The wild wooded areas have been restored, and ponds, which are now teaming with wildlife, have been installed. Interactive community involvement has been facilitated by the creation of a wild edible plant nursery, as well as a grassed amphitheatre for drama, music therapy and community events. Volunteers have also constructed a wheelchair-friendly tiered allotment to ensure growing your own is accessible for all.
Jo Brooks, director of the Community Benefit Society who manage Brickmakers Wood said, “The community garden has been a huge draw for wildlife and has given people in the area so much enjoyment, allowing everyone to be creative and express themselves. The B&Q Community garden of the year competition really gave people a chance to see what our colleagues and volunteers have achieved. For us, it was a great opportunity to thank all our lovely volunteers for all their hard work to make our community space what it is.”
Humaira Ikram,award-winning garden designer and judge of B&Q Community garden of the year noted that Brickmakers Wood won out of hundreds of entries because, “Of the tangible impact they have had on the local area. Brickmakers Wood have made gardening accessible to all, which is what this competition was all about. By bringing the community together to garden, sit, pause, teach and most importantly, have fun together, cemented our decision in naming them B&Q Community garden of the year. It was thrilling being in the garden and meeting the team behind this amazing work and being able to help their community garden grow.”
Steve Guy,B&Q Outdoor Category Director said, “At B&Q we want to show everyone that they can do it, and Brickmakers Wood has done just that. This beautiful space has been created with 10,000 hours of volunteer work and we can’t wait to see what’s next for this wonderful community space”
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors
About B&Q
B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden retailer, offering great prices across over 40,000 products at over 300 stores across the UK and Ireland, and on diy.com
Their team of more than 27,000 (15,812*) colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
Every year, more than 20 million people improve their homes and make life better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities, including funding B&Q Foundation grants and Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visithttps://www.diy.com/corporate/community
B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company, operating 1,400 stores in 8 countries across Europe.
B&Q OPENS NEW EXPRESS STORE IN WOOD GREEN
20th August 2021: B&Q, the UK’s leading home improvement retailer, has opened a new high street store in Wood Green.
The new B&Q store will make it easier than ever for Wood Green customers to access the latest home improvement essentials and promotional products.
The high street B&Q store will offer customers all their home improvement necessities including paint and paint mixing, decorating tools, power tools, décor and lighting, gardening products, houseplants, hardware and electrical and plumbing products.
Customers will also have 20,000 products at their disposal via www.diy.com, where they can place an order for home delivery or Click & Collect.
Matthew Fernandes, Wood Green store manager, “My team and I are very excited to welcome North London residents into our latest Wood Green store. With the ever-rising trend in people improving their homes over the past few years, and continuing our commitment to great value, we’re looking forward to offering customers quicker and easier access to our wide range of home improvement products on their Hih Street, along with help and advice to anyone that needs it. I’m also pleased to say that the opening of our new Wood Green store has created 18 jobs in the local area.”
B&Q is continuing to encourage customers to wear face coverings and has maintained social distancing measures to help customers shop safely.
The opening of B&Q Wood Green follows a series of smaller store openings reflecting the change in customer expectations for speed and convenience.
The new store is open 7 days a week: Monday-Saturday 7am-8pm, and on Sunday 11am-5pm.
For trade customers, the new store boasts a loading bay at the front which allows easy collection of paint, timber and all other home improvement essentials.
ENDS
Notes to editors
For more info, please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Qpressoffice@freuds.com / 020 3003 6633.
B&Q Wood Green (4,969 sq. ft)
Address: 48-50 High Road, Wood Green, London N22 6BX
About B&Q
- B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across over 40,000 products at over 300 stores across the UK and Ireland, and on www.diy.com
- Their team of more than 27,000 (15,812 FTE) colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
- Every year, more than 20 million people improve their homes and make life better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities, including funding B&Q Foundation grants and Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit https://www.diy.com/corporate/community
- B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company, operating 1,400 stores in 8 countries across Europe.
B&Q TO BE 100% PEAT-FREE ACROSS ITS BAGGED GROWING MEDIA RANGE IN 2023
- B&Q makes commitment to be peat-free across bagged growing media range in 2023
- The business will continue to increase peat-free product innovations across its supply chain until it reaches 100%
- This year, 70% of B&Q’s growing media range is peat-free
15th June 2021: B&Q, the UK’s leading home improvement retailer, today makes a commitment to be 100% peat-free across its bagged growing media range in 2023.
As B&Q works towards this date, it will continue to make developments through peat-free product innovations and changes in its supply chain.
Today’s announcement from B&Q follows years of peat-free innovation since 1991, when B&Q first introduced peat-free compost. B&Q stopped selling 100% peat in 2008 and introduced a range of peat-free bedding plants in 2014. Throughout, B&Q has been working with suppliers to improve the quality of peat-free composts and to secure sufficient volumes to achieve its peat-free commitment, whilst fulfilling its customers’ needs to enjoy their gardens.
Over the last three years, B&Q has partnered with suppliers to develop a high quality 100% peat-free formulation under the GoodHome brand. This new high-quality 100% peat-free compost, launched in 2020, is formulated using coir and other ingredients to replace peat. The compost is competitively priced so that cost is not a barrier to customers in their purchase decision.
Steve Guy, Market Director Outdoor, B&Q, said: “At B&Q we have a history of positive development of our outdoor range to help our customers have greener, healthier gardens. We were the first retailer to remove neonicotinoids from our supply chain and in 2019 we removed metaldehydes and 2020 saw the removal of glyphosates from our range. Now we are announcing another significant milestone for greener gardens as we make public our commitment to become peat-free in our bagged growing media range in 2023.
“Between now and then, we will continue developing alternatives for peat growing media, working closely with our suppliers and the wider industry to make this transition, as well as helping our customers understand the benefits of peat-free alternatives. While we know that there are volume challenges in the peat-free supply chain, we are determined to bring quality alternative growing media to the market at scale, whilst being affordable for our customers.”
Today’s announcement coincides with the launch of B&Q’s parent company Kingfisher’s 2020/21 Responsible Business Report. This highlights that across 2020/21, 55% of B&Q sales have come from sustainable home products that help customers have greener, healthier homes and gardens.
ENDS
Notes to editors
B&Q sells a large range of peat free growing media offered under our GoodHome brand, as well as New Horizon and Pro-Grow branded composts, amongst others.
B&Q peat free offering includes:
- GoodHome Multipurpose Compost (from 10L to 100L)
- GoodHome Grow Bag (27L)
- Good Home Multi Purpose Enriched Compost (50L)
B&Q also stocks New Horizon branded compost including:
For more info, please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Qpressoffice@freuds.com / 020 3003 6633.
NATION GOES WILD FOR GARDENING, AS B&Q GARDENER OF THE YEAR ANNOUNCED WITH £10,000 FOR TOP PRIZE
- With 80% of Brits revealing they have got more into gardening in the last year, B&Q is calling gardeners from across the UK to showcase their gardening prowess in a nationwide search for the first B&Q Gardener of the year.
- B&Q will celebrate all gardens great and small, from window boxes, patios and balconies to more traditional green spaces, as everyone is encouraged to enter to win the grand prize of £10,000.
- Comedian Jim Moir joins the judging panel, alongside gardening experts Matt Childs, Humaira Ikram and Steve Guy to choose the B&Q Gardener of the Year and four runners up.
- Gen-Z gardeners take on the over fifties at their own game, as 85% of them reveal they have got more into gardening in the last 12 months.
- Topping the list of most important aspects of gardening for Brits is; making use of space, growing their own, using their imagination, creating a unique space and using colour well.
19th May, London: B&Q today launches the first B&Q Gardener of the Year competition, which will come as a relief to gardening enthusiasts up and down the nation who are missing out on Chelsea Flower Show this Spring. Gardening is an important source of happiness for many, and a year of lockdown has proven to Brit’s that they can roll up their sleeves to improve their outdoor space making it more enjoyable. That’s why B&Q is setting out to celebrate the show gardens of the real gardeners across the UK. But rather than giving out rosettes, the UK’s largest garden retailer is giving £10,000 to one lucky winner. The launch of the competition comes as a study conducted by the retailer reveals that Gen-Zers are taking on the over fifties at their own game, as 85% have become more interested in gardening in the last 12 months and that 93% felt gardening had become trendier in the last year due to spending more time at home.
With the nation’s love for gardening stronger than ever, B&Q has been joined by comedian Jim Moir on a mission to showcase the ‘real’ gardens of the UK by inviting the British public to enter the Gardener of the year competition, covering five criteria including; best use of colour, best use of small space, best use of imagination, best grow your own space and best eco-friendly garden. These criteria have been supported by B&Q’s research, which revealed that making use of space, growing their own, using their imagination, creating a unique space and using colour well, were key things considered when it came to what Brit’s focus on in their garden.
As it is revealed that Brits take inspiration for their gardens from many different places, with 37% turning to gardening centres like B&Q for advice, 27% asking their parents and 26% checking social media platforms, B&Q has thrown the rule book out the window when it comes to what makes a garden ‘best in show.’ All outside spaces and gardens are encouraged to take part, from window boxes and balconies to colourful expanses and grow your own greats. And of course, B&Q has a whole host of products to help Brits make the most of their gardens, regardless of size. Offering a range of 2,000 plants, which have been vetted for quality at every stage, including 140 varieties of rose, they have something to make every outdoor space bloom.
Joining Jim Moir on the judges panel are award-winning garden designers, Matt Childs and Humaira Ikram, and B&Q Outdoor Category Director Steve Guy. This mighty team will shortlist entries to crown the B&Q Gardener of the year, who will be awarded £10,000, the prestigious ‘golden trowel’ award, as well as the newly launched B&Q Green Card, giving access to free plants for ten years. Four runners up will also be selected to receive £1,000.
To launch the competition with a bang, Jim Moir has taken part in a piece of ‘mow-tivational’ video content set to inspire Brits to put their gardens to the test. Jim can be seen tickling tomatoes, consoling a marrow, conspiring with Kenneth the snail, and sitting upon a floral throne as he galvanises green fingers across the nation. The video can be viewed in all its glory here.
But B&Q are not stopping there - they will also be shining a light on community gardens and outside spaces which have been transformed for the better, as part of the B&Q Community garden of the year competition. This separate award will celebrate outdoor spaces which have been created by the community for the community with the aim of improving the life and wellbeing of those in the surrounding area. One garden will be crowned B&Q Community garden of the year, winning a £2,500 B&Q gift card and a consultation with award-winning garden designers, Matt Childs and Humaira Ikram. Matt has been responsible for designing multiple medal-winning show gardens at both the RHS Chelsea and RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Shows, which have been shaped by his people-first approach to garden design, and the power of outside space in contributing to mental and physical wellbeing. Humaira, meanwhile, is a professional garden designer and runs the Garden Design Diploma at the KLC School of Design. She is a regular contributor on BBC Gardeners Question Time, and most recently, appeared on The Big Flower Fight as a judge alongside Jim Moir.
Jim Moir says; “I am thrilled to be taking part in the first annual B&Q Gardener of the Year competition. I get so much enjoyment from my garden and it’s a real place of solace for me. During lockdown I did develop green fingers, as much of the nation did, and I’ve been lovingly tending to my tomato and courgette plants. My little grow your own patch isn’t much but I take a huge amount of pride in it. That’s what this competition is all about, finding those gardens which might be a bit rough around the edges, but are perfect to those who love them.”
Steve Guy, B&Q Outdoor Category Director says: “At B&Q we pride ourselves on providing the nation with the range of products, plants and flowers they need to make the most of their outdoor spaces. Now, through B&Q Gardener of the year, we want to shine a light on Brits who dedicated time turning their gardens into their own personal oasis. It’s great to see how many people have found a love for gardening in recent times. We truly believe gardening should be for the many and not the few, so we hope the launch of this competition will bring out the creative gardeners from up and down the UK.”
The B&Q Gardener of the year competition is open now and close on 18th June, anyone can enter via https://www.diy.com/projects/outdoors
POST COVID BRITAIN TO BE A NATION OF DIY-ERS AS AVERAGE BRIT SPENDS A MONTH ON HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN LOCKDOWN
- As the nation passes 365 days since lockdown one started, B&Q posts annual sales growth of 13% and research reveals Brits spent over a month (31 days), out of the past 12, improving their homes.
- Garden improvement projects were the top priority for homeowners with a quarter (27%) saying they did so to spend time with friends and family as gardens became critical spaces for socialising.
- Adapting homes to be more suitable to a new way of living and using DIY as a welcome distraction to maintain wellbeing were key motivations behind the surge in home renovations in 2020.
- B&Q saw sales of the storage category skyrocket (up 24%) enabling multi-use spaces within homes to be adapted and clutter-free, to make way for room dividers and home office furniture in 2020.
25th March 2021: As B&Q posts annual sales growth of 13% and as the nation marks a year since lockdown began, the UK's leading home improvement retailer has today released data which uncovers Brits' pandemic home improvement habits, as 86% undertook a DIY project in the last 12 months. The data explores how Brits used home improvements to adapt homes to the new way of living and as a way of maintaining good wellbeing in the past year.
B&Q's study of 2,000 adults revealed that Brits spent on average 15 hours a week tackling DIY jobs around their homes – totalling over 31 days throughout the year. Our need to improve our homes was relentless, as 56% of those who took on DIY projects in the last year did so to adapt to the pandemic, with the average person taking on nine different home renovation jobs in total over the last year, working out to roughly one new project every six weeks.
Of those who did DIY, for 41% the opportunity to tick something off their to do list was the reason given for investing time and money into home renovations, and for 23% doing DIY gave a sense of achievement from completing DIY jobs. A further 15% of people said DIY helped improve their mental wellbeing and 17% said they used DIY as a way to take their mind off the pandemic.
The top priority for Brits, when thinking about which areas of the home to renovate, was the garden. Of those who changed their home in order to adapt to the pandemic, more than a quarter (27%) focussed on the garden as a way to spend more time with friends and family outside. As a result, 12% believe their skills in planting and general gardening have improved over the last 12 months.
For many, creating an outdoor space that reflected the style and practicality of their indoor living area was a key transformation. B&Q reports that decorative items such as outdoor rugs were up 11%, statement outdoor tiles up 462%, and fairy lights up 56%, as people strived to create homely spaces in their gardens.
When it came to how Brits use inside spaces, there was a need for homes across the UK to flex and shift with changing needs. As houses became the setting for school, office, gyms and restaurants, from March last year homeowners converted their space to serve a new purpose for a way of living with new needs and requirements. As such, one in seven households (14%) say they adapted their home to suit the new normal by adding a home office.
One of B&Q’s stand-out products of 2020 was the Alara pop-up room divider, which allows people to simply divide up a room to create a more useful space without the cost and inconvenience of building a wall. With home working and home schooling putting huge pressures on space and privacy many chose to carve up existing spaces using low cost, no mess fixes which resulted in room divider sales growing by over 50%.
Other adaptations over the last year include people growing their own vegetables (13%) and building more storage (12%) in order to keep multiuse spaces tidy and clutter free. The need for order and organisation in the home during lockdown was reflected in B&Q sales figures as sales of storage grew strongly (24%) in the last year.
However, it wasn’t just for practical reasons that Brits turned to home improvements. For some (13%), they undertook DIY to feel in control during an unpredictable time. Proving that renovations can be a source of positivity, homeowners felt happy (36%), content (36%), proud (29%) and calm (13%) when thinking about the DIY jobs they had completed.
One family who used home renovations as a way of both adapting their living space to the demands of a large family at home in lockdown, and a way to maintain good mental wellbeing, is Sarah (39) and Dave (42) Alderton from Sprowston in Norwich.
Sarah and Dave Alderton from Norwich said: “When lockdown hit, our priorities for our house renovation completely changed. Suddenly, our home needed to work as a practical space for a family of four to work and home-school from. Lockdown also made us realise just how much we wanted a space where we could entertain and socialise when restrictions finally lift.
“We completely scrapped our original plans for the kitchen and decided to open things right up and have an open plan family area and kitchen which could double as a space to entertain our friends – something which we have missed hugely. We also turned what was originally meant to be Dave’s ‘man-cave’ into a multi-use space for both a gym and an office – that's been really great and the kids even did their PE lessons in this room.
“Lockdown even impacted smaller things such as the tiles we picked for the garden; we usually travel to Spain every year and it’s a really special place for us as a family. With us unable to make our annual trip we decided to bring a bit of Spain to Norwich instead and bought some wonderful Mediterranean tiles from B&Q which really elevated the whole outdoor atmosphere.”
Paul White, Commercial Director, from B&Q said of these findings;
“Being stuck indoors during lockdown was a challenge for us all but many reaped the benefits of home improvement projects – from small tasks like adding storage to transforming rooms to meet new lockdown living needs. These projects delivered both practical solutions throughout Covid but also provided a much-needed distraction from the pandemic. We’ve seen how spending more time indoors has led to people falling back in love with their homes and discovering different ways to get the most out of them way after lockdown is lifted. With the nation’s confidence in their DIY skills growing from strength to strength, we don’t expect this DIY boom to slow down anytime soon.”
It seems that the nation’s newfound love for DIY has created a confidence not previously felt when it came to home renovations.
-ends-
Notes to editors
Research details: OnePoll survey of 2,000 homeowners conducted in March, 2021.
Areas of renovation in order of priority in 2020 were:
- Garden
- Living Room
- Kitchen
- Bedroom
- Bathroom
Top DIY jobs that have been completed over the past 12 months
- Garden maintenance e.g. weeding and planting
- Painted internal walls
- Filled in holes
- Put up curtains/blinds
- Painted skirting boards
- Built flat pack furniture
- Exterior decorating e.g. painted fence
- Put up shelving
- Fixed a leaky tap/pipes
Some stand-out products to see a rise in sales during 2020:
- Room Dividers for carving up existing space +51% YoY
- Privacy providing day & night blinds +33% YoY
- Calming deep blue paint +53% YoY
- Calming sea green fence paint +86% YoY
- House plants +59% YoY
- Floor lamps +18% YoY
- Table lamps +27% YoY
- DC Fix sticky back plastic for furniture upcycle and hacks +33%
- Outdoor tiles + 462% YoY
- Spas +145% YoY
- Vegetable seeds +66% YoY
- Pots and Planters +118% YoY
About B&Q
B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across over 40,000 products in 300 stores across the UK and on diy.com
Their team of more than 27,000 (15,812 FTE) colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities undertaking home improvement projects and raising money to fund Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit https://www.diy.com/corporate/community
B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,380 stores in 8 countries across Europe.
B&Q AND SPEEDY TRIAL NEW OUTLETS
B&Q, the UK’s leading home improvement retailer, and Speedy, the UK's leading provider of tools and equipment hire, announce the extension of a trial of new tool and equipment hire outlets within B&Q.
The trial commenced in July with Speedy concessions now at nine B&Q stores: West Thurrock, Beckton, Roneo Corner, Yeading, New Malden, Gillingham, Trafford Park, Darnley and Stockport. A further five outlets are scheduled to open in January.
The concessions, typically about 90sqm in size, give B&Q retail and trade customers the option to hire tools and equipment from Speedy as part of their B&Q shopping trip. The offer in the B&Q concessions includes Speedy’s four-hour national delivery promise on a wide range of products, and customers are now able to order and collect Speedy products seven days a week, complementing Speedy’s own 200 strong depot network.
The Speedy concessions are located next to the TradePoint areas within the nine B&Q stores so that retail and trade customers can now hire a range of mobile access platforms, tower scaffolds, mini diggers and dumpers, plate compactors, floor sanders, mixers and heaters at competitive prices*.
Russell Down, Chief Executive, Speedy said: “We are delighted to be trialling Speedy concessions in B&Q stores. These will make the option of hiring tools and equipment much more accessible to DIY customers and enable trade customers to hire equipment seven days a week. Customers can hire products to take away, or with our unique four-hour delivery promise, they can order equipment in the knowledge that it will arrive shortly after they return home.”
“We have a leading reputation in the construction market, and by joining forces with B&Q, the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, can offer customers a compelling and market leading proposition.”
Chris Bargate, Director of Business Development, B&Q said “We’re committed to testing new initiatives and are delighted to be trialling this tool and equipment hire service in our stores with Speedy.”
“Our customers are continuing to adapt and change to new ways of living and shopping, and these new concessions with Speedy are just one way in which we’re making it easier for people to improve their homes.”
“We’re excited by the potential re-use of our space to offer new services in store and are keen to understand how customers respond.”
More information about the range of equipment and tools available for hire from Speedy at B&Q can be found at: speedyservices.com/speedy-bandq
•All prices can be viewed on the Speedy website speedyservices.com/speedy-bandq and are those available to all customers in store. TradePoint customers enjoy an extra discount across most products.
-ENDS-
For more info please contact:
- B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.
- Speedy Press Office: speedy@citypress.co.uk / 0161 235 0300
About B&Q
• B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across over 40,000 products in 297* stores across the UK and on diy.com
• Their team of more than 15,812*‡ colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
• Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities undertaking home improvement projects and raising money to fund Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit https://www.diy.com/corporate/community
• B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,300 stores in 9 countries across Europe, Russia and Turkey.
About Speedy
Founded in 1977, Speedy is the UK’s leading provider of tools, equipment and plant hire services to a wide range of customers in the construction, infrastructure and industrial markets, as well as to local trade and industry. The Group provides complementary support services through the provision of training, asset management and compliance services. Speedy is certified nationally to ISO50001, ISO9001, ISO14001, ISO17020, ISO27001 and OHSAS18001. The Group operates from over 200 fixed sites across the UK and Ireland together with a number of on-site facilities at client locations, from an international office based in Abu Dhabi and through a joint venture in Kazakhstan.
* Data correct: 1 June 2020
‡ Full time equivalent
B&Q AND ASDA TO TEST NEW RETAIL CONCEPT
B&Q, the UK’s leading home improvement retailer, plan a shop within shop trial of compact B&Q stores in four Asda superstores.
The first two compact stores will open at Asda’s Dagenham and Sheffield Drakehouse stores later this year.
The 200-300sqm concessions will give customers the chance to shop a broad range of B&Q products in-store or place an order via diy.com for home delivery or Click & Collect.
- The B&Q trial concessions in Asda stores will offer a range of paint (including paint mixing) as well as tools, hardware and other DIY essentials.
- Customers will be able to shop B&Q’s full range at diy.com and order selected items online for collection from the B&Q concessions
- The trial will make it easier for customers to access a broader range of DIY essentials in more convenient locations and complete many different shopping activities in a single trip
Chris Bargate, Director of Business Development, B&Q, commented: “We believe in testing small formats and are committed to trialling new initiatives. We’re delighted to be trialling with ASDA to test a more convenient way for customers to access our range of home improvement products and services.
“Our customers are continuing to adapt and change to new ways of living and shopping and this is just one way in which we’re responding by getting closer to customers and making it easier for them to improve their homes.
“The trial B&Q concession stores at ASDA will have a great selection of DIY essential items, expert help and advice from our colleagues, as well as digital access to our broader range of products.
“We’re excited by the potential of this new model and are looking forward to seeing how customers respond”.
Preyash Thakrar, Asda’s Chief Strategy Officer, said: “We’re always looking at new and innovative ways to offer our customers increased choice and enhance their in-store experience, which is why we are pleased to be trialling B&Q compact stores in four Asda locations.
“B&Q’s offer will give Asda customers access to a range of essential home improvement products and expert advice as part of this new concept.
“We know that our customers will appreciate the opportunity to complete a number of missions in a single trip, as evidenced by changing shopper behaviours as a result of the pandemic.”
-ENDS-
NOTES TO EDITORS: For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.
About B&Q
- B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across over 40,000 products in 297* stores across the UK and on diy.com
- Their team of more than 15,812*‡ colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
- Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities undertaking home improvement projects and raising money to fund Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit https://www.diy.com/corporate/community
- B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,300 stores in 9 countries across Europe, Russia and Turkey.
B&Q LAUNCHES POWERFUL NEW ‘BUILD A LIFE’ BRAND CAMPAIGN, CREATED BY UNCOMMON
- B&Q launches a thought-provoking new brand campaign, rooted in the sentiment that ‘You don’t buy a life. You build one.’
- The campaign celebrates the belief that anyone can change their home to make life better
- The new strategic thinking, created with Uncommon Creative Studio, is to be rolled out through paid, owned and earned channels across September
Thursday 10th September 2020: B&Q has today unveiled its new brand campaign, ‘Build a Life’, that celebrates the belief that anyone can change their home to make life better.
‘Build a Life’ represents a reinvigorated direction for B&Q and is the first in a series of campaigns, created by Uncommon Creative Studio, to drive emotional connection with the brand, reinstating its meaningful place in the UK market.
B&Q believes that anyone can improve their home to make life better. Our homes are where life happens – a place we grow-up, learn, and live our lives. Home has never been so important and a recent survey by B&Q found that lockdown has changed British attitudes towards our homes for good, with 57 percent agreeing our homes are more significant in improving our lives than ever.
This new campaign highlights that there’s so much more to everyday DIY. The strategic thinking from Uncommon, appointed by the brand last year, celebrates life in the home and the power of home improvement to change lives. Originally inspired by the amazing things people do to improve their homes to make their life better – something made even more significant by lockdown – the campaign taps into the fundamental truths about our homes and reflects the role B&Q has played in transforming the UK’s homes for the past 50 years.
Chris Graham, Marketing Director, B&Q said: “At B&Q we’ve been making, growing and selling the tools, materials and know-how to improve homes for over 50 years. To us, these things are more than bricks and mortar.”
“We believe that anyone can improve their home to make life better. It’s precisely this insight that makes us so proud and privileged to be a business where we can help people shape the homes that mean so much to them. Our 27,000 colleagues, myself included, love hearing about the projects our customers take on - it’s what inspires and motivates us."
“It’s been great working with the team at Uncommon. The creative approach gathered many amazing stories of real families in their homes. We learned how they improved them, and how they became places where important life moments were created. We hope the campaign reminds everyone of the magic and power of home improvement to do so much more than build a home.”
Nils Leonard, Co-founder, Uncommon added: “‘You can do it’ has never been a more powerful thought. The idea that you can build a room, a house, a life. Uncommon are proud to partner B&Q in their mission to help everyone build the life they want.”
B&Q’s new campaign and brand purpose has been creatively brought to life by Uncommon through a 60’ film capturing real life moments, using real people’s archive footage, to represent a genuine portrait of British homes and how they have been improved across the years.
The film shows snippets of real home videos from 69 families across the 69 cities that make-up the UK. We see the ups and downs of life at home and how home improvement can shape them. We see nostalgic moments of growing up including birthday parties, redecorating bedrooms, cups of tea catchups, slammed doors from family rows and making room for that new picture on the wall. These memories resonate and reflect life events. We are narrated through each family scene from the kitchen to the garden with some powerful words read by Game of Thrones actor, Rory McCann. The film is set to a moving and powerful track from acclaimed music group The Cinematic Orchestra titled ‘Manhatta’.
The campaign also includes a new creative direction for the brand’s paid, owned and earned content which marries imagery of products with bold statements inspired by life at home and home improvement. The creative direction follows a disruptive approach and celebrates B&Q’s famously orange look and feel.
The film airs on the 10th September across TV and online. With an OOH campaign breaking later this month up and down the UK.
- END -
CREDITS:
Project name: Build a Life
Agency: Uncommon Creative Studio
Client: B&Q
Production company: Knucklehead
Director: Chris Hewitt
Editor: Lewis Noll
Producer: Darren Tuohy
DOP: Chris Sabogal
Post-production: Electric Theatre Collective
Grade: Jason Wallis
VFX: Electric Theatre Collective
Soundtrack: The Cinematic Orchestra
Audio post-production: 750mph & Soundtree Music
NOTES TO EDITORS:
To find out more about the campaign, please go to Build a Life
For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.
About B&Q’s Research
The research, commissioned by UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, polled 2,000 consumers to uncover how the Covid-19 lockdown has fundamentally changed Brits’ relationship with their homes.
About B&Q
- B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across over 40,000 products in 297* stores across the UK and diy.com
- Their team of more than 15,812*‡ colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
- Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities undertaking home improvement projects and raising money to fund Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit B&Q in the Community
- B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,300 stores in 9 countries across Europe, Russia and Turkey.
REVEALED: HOW LOCKDOWN CHANGED BRITISH ATTITUDES TOWARDS OUR HOMES FOR GOOD
- Research shows that 9 out of 10 people are united in the belief that the home is central to making life better
- More than half (57 percent) agree our homes are more significant in improving our lives than ever
- Two-fifths are now more motivated to do home improvement as a result of lockdown
- During what was a challenging time for many, over half also said they found DIY projects therapeutic
- 18-24 year olds have embraced DIY the most and plan to do more ambitious projects
Wednesday, 9th September 2020: Many of us remember the DIY fever that gripped the nation during the UK’s lockdown - but new research released today by B&Q has revealed the extent to which the last six months have fundamentally changed British attitudes towards our homes – especially among the younger generation.
The research, commissioned by the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, polled 2,000 consumers to uncover how the Covid-19 lockdown has fundamentally changed Brits’ relationship with their homes.
An almost universal consensus (nine out of ten) said that their home is important to make their life better, and 57 percent feel it is even more significant post-lockdown.
Exploring why homes felt more significant than ever, the survey also found that 89 percent say their homes are a ‘sanctuary’ where they can be ourselves and 87 percent value the sense of security they provide. Despite this, only one in ten (11 percent) currently live in their ideal home, whereas half of the population (47 percent) want to make changes to their living set up. The research also showed that the increased time spent at home meant over half (53 percent) of Brits realised more DIY needed doing.
And it seems the benefits go far beyond the functional bricks and mortar. During what was a difficult time for many, over half (51 percent) also said they found home improvement projects to be therapeutic.
Over two-fifths (42 percent) say they are more motivated to do DIY as a result of lockdown, and 35 percent feel more ambitious in the home improvement projects they want to tackle. This change in attitude is particularly prevalent among youngsters, with two-fifths (42 percent) of 18-24 year olds having learned DIY skills during lockdown, while only a quarter (24 per cent) of those aged between 45-54 said the same. The younger generation also now feel more ambitious to make changes and tackle further DIY (42 percent of 18-24 year olds and 45 percent of 25-34 year olds agreed).
Gardening and decorating projects are by far the most coveted projects to improve people’s lives and enjoyment of their home. Nearly half (48 percent) said they had a gardening project planned and 43 percent want to get underway with decorating tasks. Signs of the lasting impact of lockdown on our home habits is also clear, with more than a third (35 percent) planning to improve their working from home spaces.
Chris Graham, Marketing Director, B&Q commented: “From terraces in Telford to flats in Farnborough, there are millions of different places to live in the UK. None are the same and neither are the people that live in them. However, what this research shows is that over 90% of us are united in the belief that the home is central to making life better.
“At B&Q, we’ve been helping people improve their homes for over 50 years, but the stories we’ve heard from customers in the last six months, alongside this new research, really shows that everyone has the potential to change their life through improving their home. It’s precisely this insight that makes us so proud and privileged to be a business where we can help people shape the homes that mean so much to them.”
The research also examined other ways, outside of the home, in which Brits seek to make their lives better.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, many have found life improving enjoyment in embracing the great outdoors (32 percent), mastering hobbies (29 percent) and discovering new recipes to cook (27 percent). Top of the list for the next twelve months is spending time with family and friends, with over half saying it would improve their life and third (28 percent) saying it’s something they’ll be prioritising in the next year.
- END -
NOTES TO EDITORS: *Research conducted by YouGov in August 2020 – 2000 respondents
For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.
About B&Q
- B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across over 40,000 products in 297* stores across the UK and diy.com
- Their team of more than 15,812*‡ colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
- Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities undertaking home improvement projects and raising money to fund Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit B&Q in the Community
- B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,300 stores in 9 countries across Europe, Russia and Turkey.
B&Q PLEDGES £100,000 OF ITS APPRENTICESHIP LEVY FUND TO HELP SMALL AND MEDIUM BUSINESSES IN THE SOLENT AREA
B&Q has pledged to transfer £100,000 of expiring levy funds to the Transfer to Transform scheme, helping small to medium businesses (SMEs) in the Solent area to train new apprentices and upskill workers in the region.
Transfer to Transform provides the chance for Solent businesses to help support each other, the campaign is not asking for cash or charity, but rather for businesses to pledge some of their unspent apprenticeship levy funding to support small to medium enterprises (SMEs) in the region.
SMEs are a vital part of Solent’s business ecosystem, so ensuring they can access the skills and training they need to support their recovery from the pandemic is vital. By pledging unspent apprenticeship levy funds to Transfer to Transform, large businesses such as B&Q can cover the costs of apprenticeship training for SMEs, enabling them to take on and train new staff or upskill existing members of their team for the challenges faced ahead.
Pledgers can take an active involvement in the process of selecting SMEs to receive the funding, for example B&Q are funding training for tradespeople roles. The pledge from B&Q is already being well invested with apprenticeships agreed for four small businesses to train a gas engineer, a plumber and two installation maintenance electricians. The pledged funds will be further distributed, and we expect this to fund more trade apprentices.
B&Q also runs an extensive apprenticeship programme for its colleagues, with 123 colleagues graduating from its retail team leader level three apprenticeship scheme in January this year. It has recently expanded the range of apprenticeship schemes it offers to its colleagues to 28, with ambitions to have over 850 B&Q colleagues taking part in apprenticeships by the end of the year.
Andy Moat, People Director B&Q said “The Transfer to Transform scheme is an excellent way for employers to work together and ensure that levy funds are used in the best way and it’s a really simple way for big businesses to support their local communities through supporting SMEs.
To be able to share our levy fund with SMEs and to help them rebuild through skills and the creation of new opportunities in the area is vital now, more than ever.
I’d encourage any large business with unspent levy funds to seriously consider how they could use those funds to support SMEs in their local communities.”
Jodi Fair – Manager of the Solent Apprenticeship Hub and the Transfer to Transform scheme - said “To receive the backing of a nationally renowned employer such as B&Q, whose headquarters are located within the Solent region, brings the level of credibility to the initiative that was needed to ensure success”
As of 25/08/2020 Transfer to Transform currently sits at £850,000 in pledges, all of which will be distributed amongst SME’s across the region and used to upskill staff and develop the individuals enrolling in apprenticeship standards.
For more information on how to pledge to Transfer to Transform visit the Solent Apprenticeship Hub
- END -
For more info on B&Q please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693
For more information on Transfer to Transform and the Solent Apprenticeship Hub please head to the Transfer to Transform web page on the Solent Apprenticeship Hub website: www.solentapprenticeshiphub.com/transfer-to-transform
Alternatively email: hello@solentapprenticeshiphub.com or contact them through social media;
- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/solent-apprenticeship-hub/
- Twitter - @solentapprenti1
- Facebook - https://en-gb.facebook.com/pg/solentapprenticeshiphub/posts/
HOW TO UPDATE YOUR KITCHEN WITH PATTERNED TILES
Making updates to your kitchen might seem like a daunting task but luckily there are many easy-to-manage projects that can instantly give your space a new lease of life!
Mixing flooring types is one of the most popular flooring trends of this year, and adding patterned tiles to an area in your kitchen can help to add character to the room. Laura Dollimore, Head of Decorative, Flooring and Tiling at B&Q, shares a step by step guide to make the process hassle-free.
Step 1: First things first, planning! Start by deciding how much of your space you want to tile. Just as if you were tiling the entire room, you’ll want to start from a central point and work your way out to each corner of the space. The space you want to tile also needs to be even, flat, dry and free from damp. If you’ve had other tiles or sheet flooring, you’ll need to remove any adhesive from the floor before beginning. If your floor requires levelling, opt for either floor levelling compound or tile backer boards.
Step 2: Next, find the centre point of the area you will be tiling. To do this, measure one wall, calculate its midpoint and mark this on the floor. Then repeat with other wall or edge. Next, find yourself a helper draw a line between the two points.
Then create two marks on the line, each one metre from the mid-point. Next, tie one metre of string to a pencil. Hold the end of the string on the first of the two marks and draw two sets of arches at a 45° on the floor. Repeat on the other side. If you draw a straight line between the centre of these two arcs and you’ll have a perfect 90° angle in the centre of your space!
Step 3: Starting at the position you’ve just marked out, use a gauging trowel to place tile adhesive on the floor, and then a notched trowel to spread this across an area of approximately 1m². The size of the notched trowel you’ll need will depend on how even your floor is, for more uneven surfaces you’ll need bigger notches. Use the smooth side to spread the tile adhesive on the floor, and then draw the serrated edge back through the adhesive to form ridges. This will leave an even depth of adhesive to help create a level surface for your tiles.
Step 4: Now it’s time to start laying your tiles. Place your first tile firmly into the adhesive against your 90° degree line using a twisting action to bed it into the adhesive. Repeat this process with the next tile placing tile spacers between each tile to ensure they’re evenly spaced. Be sure to press the spacers well below the surface of the tile so that they’ll be hidden once your floor is grouted.
Step 5: Repeat this process until you have finished laying all of your tiles. Occasionally, check the tiles are flat with a spirit level. Don’t worry if they’re not – just grab a rubber mallet and tap them lightly to level them.
Top tip: if any tile adhesive makes its way onto the tile face wipe it down with a damp cloth while it’s still damp – it’s much harder to remove once it is set.
Step 6: To fill any gaps between the last whole tile and the wall, you’ll need to measure and cut some tiles. A good way to do this is to lay the tile that needs to be cut directly on top of the nearest whole tile to the wall. Then lay another tile on top, using this as a template. Position a couple of tile spacers flat against the wall and push the top tile right up to the wall. Use a tile marker to mark the tile beneath – don’t forget to account for space for grouting.
Step 7: Floor tiles are heavier and tougher than wall tiles, so you’ll need a heavy-duty tile cutter to cut them. Wear goggles and gloves and use either a flatbed tile cutter to cut along the marked line. If any there rough edges left after cutting, smooth these out using a tile file.
Step 8: Once the adhesive has set, you can start grouting. First, remove any dust or debris from the surface, and check that no tile spacers are sticking up. Then use the gauging trowel to remove the grout from the tub and then work it into the tile joints using a grout float until the grout is level with the surface of the tile, covering all of the spacers.
Step 9: After you’ve grouted several rows, smooth the joints out using a grout finisher to compact the grout and leave a clean and tidy finish. Wipe any extra grout on the surface of the tiles using a damp sponge before it begins to set.
Step 10: Finally, seal around the edges of your space with a flexible sealant that matches the grout. This will help accommodate for any movement or expansion between the wall and the floor. Work from one end of the skirting to the other and apply a continuous bead of sealant, keeping a steady pressure and speed.
Toolkit:
- Magnusson Bridge Spirit level, (L)0.6m, £9.97
- Magnusson Tape measure, 5m, £4.97
- Magnusson 16oz Black Rubber Mallet, £4.98
- Mac Allister 400mm Manual Tile cutter, £29.95
- Stanley Yellow & black Chalk, Set, £14.87
- Vitrex Finishing Trowel (L)303mm (W)115mm, £9.90
- Mac Allister Finishing Trowel (L)280mm (W)120mm, £9.98
- Vitrex 230mm Grout float, £6.49
- Vitrex Standard Grout finisher, £1.99
- Diall Heavy duty Aluminium & plastic Cartridge gun Piece, £4.70
- Diall Smoothing Sealant Tool, £1.32
- END -
Notes for Editors:
For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.
About B&Q:
- B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across over 40,000 products in 296* stores across the UK and on diy.com
- Their team of more than 16,221*‡ colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
- Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities undertaking home improvement projects and raising money to fund Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit B&Q in the Community
- B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,300 stores in 10 countries across Europe, Russia and Turkey.
HOW TO CREATE AN UPCYCLED MOSAIC TABLE
- Craig Collins, Market Manager for Paint at B&Q shares his tips on how to upcycle a table using coloured emulsion and a selection of tiles
- B&Q is offering a fantastic 3 for 2 offer on coloured emulsion paint, available instore and online from 7th – 24th February
We all have that odd side table or spare chair that doesn’t quite fit with the rest of the furniture in our home, but before you get rid of it or hide it away in a spare room, think about ways you could give it a new lease of life!
While many may think of upcycling as a challenging process, there are many projects are much simpler and cost effective than you might think, especially with 3 for 2 deals on coloured emulsion from B&Q. Craig Collins, Head of Category, Paint & Lighting at B&Q, shares his tips on how to give an old side table some flair with this easy guide:
Step 1: Start by carefully checking the table for and scuffs or scrapes, as well as any rough patches of wood. Carefully sand these areas down using either an orbital sander or medium grit sandpaper to give you a completely smooth finish. Make sure to pay close attention to any hard to reach areas, such as decorative legs to make sure any remaining glossy finish is removed.
Step 2: Next, it’s time to create a border for your mosaic to sit in. First, you’ll need to decide how large you want your mosaic centrepiece to be, then, using a tape measure and a pencil measure and mark out four lengths of trimming to create your border.
Once you’ve measured out these pieces of trimming, reach for a mitre box and a fine-tooth saw to help you cut your borders to size at a perfect 45 ° angle.
Step 3: Now’s the time to get your trimming fixed into place. Carefully line up your trimmings and then, one at a time; gently tack them into place using lost head nails and a hammer.
Step 4: Once the borders are in place, it’s time to give your table a fresh lick of paint. Opting for a self-priming paint will help to make the application process easier. Mix your paint thoroughly and apply a thin even layer. Make sure to give your first coat enough time to dry before applying a second coat.
Finally, once your second coat is dry, finish with a coat of furniture lacquer to help seal and protect your newly painted surface.
Step 5: While your lacquer is drying you can get started on one of the most exciting element of this project, creating your own mosaic tiles! For larger, more irregular shaped tiles, grab a claw hammer and rubble sack, place your tile inside the bag and give it a gentle tap with a hammer to break it into 3 - 4 pieces.
To create more even, precise shapes, you can use tile nippers; just make sure you have safety goggles to protect your eyes, thick gloves, and a bucket to catch any loose clippings.
Step 6: It’s time to get creative! Use your assortment of mosaic tiles to create a pattern on the top of your table. Once you’re happy with your design, mix up your tile adhesive and apply a small amount to the back of each tile one by one, pressing them down to create an even surface.
Step 7: Once your adhesive is fully dry it’s time to mix up and apply some grout. Make sure to wear latex gloves, and be careful of any sharp edges as you press the grout down into the gaps in between your tiles. Remove any excess grout before it begins to set. Finally, once the grout is dry, take a damp sponge and wipe it across the top of your design to clear away any excess.
You’re all done! Top tip: make sure to leave your table out overnight so the grout dries fully before putting anything on top of it.
Toolkit
To sand your table:
- Mac Allister Corded 160W 220-240V Detail sander MSDLS160, £20
- Ryobi Mixed grit Palm Sanding sheet (L)110mm (W)110mm, Pack of 20, £12.85
OR
To cut your tiles:
To paint your table:
To trim the borders:
Safety equipment:
- END -
Notes for Editors:
You can find the full guide on how to create an upcycled mosaic table here
For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.
About B&Q:
-
B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across over 40,000 products in 296* stores across the UK and on diy.com
-
Their team of more than 16,221*‡ colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
-
Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities undertaking home improvement projects and raising money to fund Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit https://www.diy.com/corporate/community
-
B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,300 stores in 10 countries across Europe, Russia and Turkey.
*Data correct: 19 February 2020
‡ Full time equivalent
B&Q ANNOUNCES 123 NEW GRADUATES IN FIRST WAVE OF APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME
- 123 apprentices graduated from the scheme launched by the retailer in 2017
- B&Q has recently expanded the range of apprenticeships it offers and aims to have over 1,100 colleagues taking part in apprenticeships by May 2020
3 February 2020 – Apprentices aged between 61 and 20 are amongst the 123 apprentices to graduate from B&Q’s Retail Team Leader, Level Three apprenticeship scheme, after successfully completing the eighteen-month store-based course. This is the first wave of B&Q apprentices to graduate, with more than 600 others scheduled to complete apprenticeships by the end of this year.
The apprenticeship graduation ceremony was a celebration of success for the apprentices and took place at the Manufacturing and Technology Centre in Coventry on Thursday. The event was also attended by B&Q CEO Graham Bell, B&Q Retail Director Paul Crisp and Andy Moat, B&Q People Director, all of whom co-hosted the event and offered their congratulations and support to the new graduates. Ollie Ollerton, former Special Forces operative with both the SAS and SBS and from the Channel 4 television show SAS Who Dares Wins, also attended the event as celebrity guest speaker.
As well as receiving a recognised qualification, the graduates also received a completion certificate and a Class of 2019 commemorative badge. The event saw eight additional awards handed out, five of which were given to apprentices from across the UK who had clearly and continuously demonstrated B&Q’s brand values; Together, Simplicity, Humility, Curiosity and Excellence. In addition, two special recognition awards were awarded for Apprenticeship Ambassador and Can Do Sprit, there was also an award for the mentor who had gone above and beyond to support their apprentices.
Launched in 2017 and supported and facilitated by Lifetime Training, the Retail Team Leader, Level Three apprenticeship scheme aims to gives B&Q store colleagues the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to be successful in their role and equip them with essential life skills. With apprentices aging from 20 through to 61 years old, the scheme is one of the most age diverse in the industry and is part of the retailer’s ongoing commitment to making B&Q a great place to work.
B&Q believe there are clear links and benefits between learning, engaged employees and ultimately, productivity, with stores where staff are committed to learning found to be some of the best performing. Since the launch of the store-based apprenticeships in 2017, further apprenticeships have been added across the business with 28 additional schemes including business management and leadership, legal, finance, HR and IT.
Paul Crisp, Retail Director at B&Q commented: “We’re delighted to see our first wave of B&Q apprentices graduate and applaud them for all of their hard work and dedication throughout the duration of the course. Our colleagues are the beating heart of B&Q, and we‘re committed to their growth and development as part of our commitment to make B&Q a great place to work. That’s why we’ve expanded the range of apprenticeships we offer, and by May 2020, we’re aiming to have 1,100 colleague apprentices in the business. It’s a fantastic opportunity for people from all walks of life to enjoy a career with us in a sector they’re passionate about.”
Aimee Edwards, Winner of the B&Q Apprenticeship Ambassador Award, commented: “It’s a proud event for all the apprentices graduating, and I’m thrilled to have been a part of the first wave at B&Q - winning the B&Q Apprenticeship Ambassador Award is a bonus! Throughout the course, I’ve learned invaluable skills and thoroughly enjoyed being able to put everything I’ve learned into practice, both during my time as an apprentice and in my new role as I develop my career following my recent promotion to a management position.”
- END -
For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.
ABOUT B&Q
-
B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across over 40,000 products in 296* stores across the UK and on diy.com
-
Their team of more than 16,221*‡ colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
-
Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities undertaking home improvement projects and raising money to fund Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit B&Q in the Community
-
B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,300 stores in 9 countries across Europe, Russia and Turkey.
*Data correct:31 January 2019
‡ Full time equivalent
B&Q OPENS THE DOORS TO ITS NEW STORE IN MERTON
B&Q, the UK’s leading home improvement retailer, has today launched its new convenience store in the Nelson Industrial Estate with a morning of celebrations, giveaways and special guests.
Radio Jackie presenter Eddie Castle kicked off the celebrations at 8am with special promotions and competitions across the store, including the opportunity to win gift cards up to the value of £100.
The B&Q Merton team were joined by Deen City Farm, the local community farm that won the store’s community champion competition earlier this month. The charity works to educate about the local environment and where food comes through school visits and holiday schemes.
Deen City Farm has been working to upgrade its baby change and breastfeeding room, currently through self-sourcing and upcycling materials. The farm’s Caretaker, Richard Hogan, has undertaken much of this work in his own time. To highlight the incredible work the charity has been doing across Merton, B&Q donated a £500 gift card towards the project and invited them to cut the ribbon at its opening celebration.
Greg Gluchy, Unit Manager at B&Q Merton said: “We had a great morning celebrating the opening with our team and the local community. It was the perfect opportunity to get to know some of our customers and reveal some of the amazing products we have in store, as well as provide inspiration for their restoration projects.
“Throughout the event the Radio Jackie team gave away £500 worth of gift cards to lots of happy customers and we were really pleased to be joined by our new charity champion, Deen City Farm, to help us cut the ribbon and officially open the store. They do a wonderful job in Merton and we can’t wait to see the results of their renovated baby change and breastfeeding room. We look forward to welcoming more people to our store over the coming weeks and hope to see you soon!”
The team of 25 colleagues is on hand to support customers with all their DIY needs. As well as helping to plan larger projects like kitchens and bathrooms, they can provide advice on completing home renovation projects – from the tools and products needed, to getting guidance and inspiration from B&Q.
The 13,000 sq. ft space provides a compact, modern and fresh store for customers to explore over 6,000 products, with an additional 40,000 products available for home delivery or click and collect (many from next day). The showroom features B&Q’s latest kitchen, bathroom, tiling and flooring ranges; there’s a paint mixing service and a great range of brands available; all of your DIY tools and essentials are stocked; and the indoor and outdoor plants will help bring the outdoors into your home.
The store offers the same benefits of B&Q Club and TradePoint membership to Merton customers. The B&Q Club is open to all customers, while trade customers can join the TradePoint scheme, which offers free membership and exclusive discounts to trade professionals.
The new B&Q Merton store is located at Nelson Industrial Estate, The Path, South Wimbledon, London, SW19 3BL and will be open Monday-Saturday, 7am-8pm, and on Sunday, 10am-4pm.
For more information, including inspirational ideas and practical advice on home improvement, visit DIY.com
- END -
For more information, please contact Hannah Keddie or Holly Broadway at Grayling: 02380 382970 / bandq@grayling.com
ABOUT B&Q
-
B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across over 40,000 products in 296* stores across the UK and on diy.com
-
Their team of more than 16,221*‡ colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
-
Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities undertaking home improvement projects and raising money to fund Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit https://www.diy.com/corporate/community
-
B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,300 stores in 10 countries across Europe, Russia and Turkey.
GREAT SAVINGS ON B&Q KITCHEN SINKS, TAPS AND APPLIANCES THIS JANUARY
- B&Q is offering 20% off kitchen sinks, taps and appliances when you spend £2,500 or more on a kitchen.
- Offer will run from 20th January until 2nd February and is available in store.
Monday 20th January: For those thinking of kicking off their 2020 with a new kitchen, B&Q is offering 20% off kitchen sinks, taps and appliances when you spend over £2,500 on a kitchen in store. To coincide with this great offer, B&Q have compiled a list of the hottest accessories on offer at the moment.
Tip Top Taps Brass kitchen taps are on trend for 2020 and have risen in popularity recently. Looking best in dark kitchens, B&Q suggests using stormy shades with industrial lighting and bronze handles to give the kitchen a modern look.
- GoodHome Kamut Sprint Neck Tap Satin Bronze Effect, was £197, now £157.60
- GoodHome Filbert Brass Effect Kitchen Side Lever Mixer Tap, was £127, now £101.60
Everything including the kitchen sink
The Romesco is an innovative, smartly designed sink which doubles up as a space-saving multifunctional work area. The perfect choice for even the smallest of kitchens, the Romesco comes in silver or black colour options.
- GoodHome Romesco Stainless steel 1 Bowl Sink, £120
- GoodHome Romesco Black Composite quartz 1.5 Bowl Sink, £200
Wok it out with appliances
Appliances are the focal point of every kitchen, so they need to stand out, be fuss-free and easy to use. Luckily, B&Q are on hand to help. The GoodHome Bamia appliances offer a range of intuitive features that make cooking easier and are energy efficient too. The range also uses smart technology to make cooking as simple as possible.
- GoodHome Bamia Built in Oven, was £784, now £598.40
- GoodHome Bamia Smart Cooker Hood, was £398, now £318.40
- GoodHome Bamia Zone Black Ceramic Glass Induction Hob, was £398, now £318.40
All of these products and more are available in the deal. The discount is valid in store orders only and will run from 20th January until 2nd February so you’ll need to be quick to snap up the great savings.
Visit your local B&Q store and find out more at https://www.diy.com/ https://www.diy.com/find-a-store.
- END -
For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.
NOTES TO EDITORS
Featured products include:
- GoodHome Kamut Sprint Neck Tap Satin Bronze Effect, was £197, now £157.60
- GoodHome Filbert Brass Effect Kitchen Side Lever Mixer Tap, was £127, now £101.60
- GoodHome Romesco Stainless steel 1 Bowl Sink, £120
- GoodHome Romesco Black Composite quartz 1.5 Bowl Sink, £200
- GoodHome Bamia Built in Oven, was £784, now £598.40
- GoodHome Bamia Smart Cooker Hood, was £398, now £318.40
- GoodHome Bamia Zone Black Ceramic Glass Induction Hob, was £398, now £318.40
ABOUT B&Q
-
B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across over 40,000 products in 296* stores across the UK and on diy.com
-
Their team of more than 16,221*‡ colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
-
Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities undertaking home improvement projects and raising money to fund Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit https://www.diy.com/corporate/community
-
B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,300 stores in 10 countries across Europe, Russia and Turkey.
-
Data correct:31 January 2019
‡ Full time equivalent
LIGHT IT UP THIS JANUARY GREAT SAVINGS ACROSS ALL INDOOR LIGHTING AT B&Q
- B&Q is offering a fantastic 20% off all indoor lighting
- Available instore and online from 17th to 27th January 2020
FRIDAY 17TH NOVEMBER: B&Q is brightening up January by offering a fantastic 20% off indoor lighting.
Whether you’re in need of replacing an old lamp or updating your ceiling lights, this deal covers all lighting. Some of our favourite options include:
-
The Zoe Smokey Crystal Effect Light Shade which is a great choice for creating a distinctive look. Was £25, now £20.
-
Alani Brushed Chrome Effect 3 Lamp Ceiling Light is perfect for anyone wanting to create a contemporary room feel. Was £62, now £49.60.
-
Hadwick Twisted Matt Chrome Effect Table and Floor Lamp which are modern yet elegant. Table lamp was £35, now £28. Floor lamp was £52, now £41.60.
The offer will be running from 17th - 27th January so you’ll need to be quick to snap up this great deal.
Deal does not include lightbulbs.
Visit your local B&Q store to view the range and find out more at https://www.diy.com/ https://www.diy.com/find-a-store.
- END -
For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.
NOTES TO EDITORS Featured products include:
ABOUT B&Q
-
B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across over 40,000 products in 296* stores across the UK and on diy.com
-
Their team of more than 16,221*‡ colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
-
Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities undertaking home improvement projects and raising money to fund Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit https://www.diy.com/corporate/community
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B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,300 stores in 10 countries across Europe, Russia and Turkey.
*Data correct:31 January 2019
‡ Full time equivalent
B&Q PREDICTS FIVE HOT KITCHEN TRENDS FOR 2020 – INCLUDING THE MIDNIGHT BLUE KITCHEN
- Launched to celebrate the home improvement brand’s first new kitchen range in over ten years, B&Q’s 2020 Kitchen Trends Report, predicts the rise of the midnight blue kitchen
- The five predictions feature Pinterest insights into what Brits have been searching over the past year as they look for kitchen inspiration and plan their home improvements
- B&Q’s new range of 26 kitchens includes new appliances, surfaces, taps, sinks, storage solutions and accessories – all at affordable prices
To celebrate the launch of its first new kitchen range in over ten years, B&Q has predicted the top five kitchen trends for 2020. Compiled by B&Q’s experts and reflected in Pinterest insights for searches over the past year, B&Q’s 2020 Kitchen Trends Report’s predictions include the rise of the ‘Midnight Blue’ kitchen, red wine inspired kitchens, dubbed ‘Merlot Magic’, and kitchens featuring natural looking materials, or ‘The Stone Age’ kitchen.
Based on what Pinterest users in the UK searched for over the past year, 2020 will see Brits embrace the dark side, with searches in 2019 for ‘navy’ or ‘midnight blue’ kitchens increasing by 45%, and thanks to B&Q’s new affordable artemisia range, the trend is predicted to continue to increase in popularity.
Interiors fans inspired by this year’s trends will find everything they need to get their kitchen bang on trend with B&Q’s affordable new kitchen range. With customers able to purchase everything they need for their kitchen project at B&Q – from kitchen cabinets and flooring, to lighting and paint – the updated range and offering helps make the process of renovating a kitchen simpler and easier.
Iain McColgan, Director of Showrooms at B&Q, explains: “This year’s trend report shows just how creative our customers can be when it comes to planning their dream kitchen – but they don’t need to worry about sacrificing substance for style. The new GoodHome Kitchen range, available exclusively at B&Q, has been designed to simplify everyday activities; from food preparation to cooking and cleaning so there’s no need to compromise on design, quality or price.”
Highlights from the new range include: + The GoodHome romesco sink which makes the most of even the smallest kitchen, thanks to space-saving accessories that turn sinks into multi-functional areas.
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The GoodHome tasuke integrated cabinet lighting which uses motion controls to turn lights on, off and switch between settings.
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GoodHome bamia appliances which include a range of intuitive features – the oven can be programmed to remember how to cook familiar meals and the cooker hoods can be paired to GoodHome bamia hobs with smart connectivity, auto-adjusting the extraction rate.
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The GoodHome caraway cabinets come in a variety of sizes that can be configured to make the most of any kitchen space, creating more accessible storage
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The GoodHome pebre pull out internal storage is designed to easily fit caraway cabinets, helping to efficiently store away items and make them easy to access when needed
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GoodHome soto drawers make the most of the available space with two depths (standard and deep), 100% opening, and soft-close build they are a useful addition to any kitchen.
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The GoodHome kora waste range makes recycling easy, convenient and stylish, with an array of compatible products designed to save floor space while making waste organisation and segregation effortless.
Available now at B&Q stores and online via diy.com, customers can book a design consultation or use B&Q’s unique kitchen visualiser tool to bring their dream kitchen to life in minutes.
Five Kitchens Trends for 2020
MERLOT MAGIC According to Pinterest insights, searches for ‘burgundy paint’ have risen by 75% in the last year, with ‘plum paint’ searches up by 35%. Wine-inspired kitchens are a warm, bold choice for 2020, especially for non-wallflowers looking to make a statement. Popular looks include pairing charcoal kitchen cabinets with deep, plummy tones or adding extra dramatic flair by giving your whole kitchen a bold refresh with cabernet-inspired cabinet paint. A deep carbon design, like our pasilla range, packs extra punch when partnered with plum-toned walls. If your kitchen just needs a quick refresh, simply pick a shade of cabernet and paint your existing cabinets.
Get the Look:
- GoodHome Durable Magome Matt Emulsion paint 2.5L, £16
- Pasilla Matt Carbon, from £1,498 For An 8-Unit Kitchen
THE STONE AGE It might be a new decade, but we’re certain that a kitchen inspired by natural materials will never date. Pinterest insights show an increase in searches on the platform such as ‘stone accessories’ (up 40%) and ‘natural kitchens’ (up 35%). Nodding to real stone but with a matt finish, our garcinia range is a versatile choice that won’t look out of place in a traditional or contemporary home.
Get the Look:
- Garcinia Matt Stone with Integrated Handles Kitchen, from £1,848 for an 8-unit kitchen
MIDNIGHT HUE The more sophisticated and dramatic colour choice when it comes to kitchens, midnight blue has been an emerging trend recently, but usually with a hefty price tag to match. However, with the introduction of affordable options, such as B&Q’s new artemisia kitchen, this stylish hue experienced a 45% uplift in Pinterest searches over the past year and we’re expecting its popularity to rise even further. The GoodHome artemisia range comes in a matt finish for a uniformed look. The smart shade stands out even more against light worktops and when paired with silver accents.
Get the Look:
- Artemisia Matt Midnight Blue Shaker, from £1,298 for an 8-unit kitchen
BOLD AS BRASS Dark kitchens and brass accents go hand-in-hand so it’s no surprise that Pinterest has seen an increase in searches for brass accessories such as lighting, taps and handles; searches for ‘brass taps’ have increased by 30% whilst ‘bronze taps’ searches have gone up by 40%. You can set off set stormy shades with industrial lighting or use taps and handles to give fixtures some depth.
Get the Look:
- GoodHome Kamut Spring Neck Tap Satin Bronze Effect, from £74
- GoodHome dukkah embossed brushed brass and antique brass effect handles, Pack of 2 £18
- GoodHome Filbert Brass effect Kitchen Side lever Mixer tap, from £127
- GoodHome Saffron Gold Brass effect Cabinet handle (L)12mm, Pack of 2, £5
- GoodHome Gomasio Brass effect Cabinet handle (L)26mm, Pack of 2, £6
SHOW OFF SHELVING If you’ve ever needed convincing to expose what’s in your cabinets, 2020 is the time to bare utensils and crockery alike with Pinterest searches such as ‘statement shelving’ on the increase (up 30%). From open shelving to glazed doors with integrated lighting, experiment with stacking bowls and plates, as well as neat arrangements of ornaments and books for good measure.
Get the Look:
- GoodHome Tasuke Integrated Lighting, from £24
- GoodHome Artemisia Matt white classic shaker Moulded curve Glazed Cabinet door, from £95
-ENDS-
For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.
NOTES TO EDITORS
Methodology Pinterest trend insights are calculated using normalised searches from November 2018 to November 2019.
About B&Q
-
B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across over 40,000 products in 296* stores across the UK and on diy.com
-
Their team of more than 16,221*‡ colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
-
Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities undertaking home improvement projects and raising money to fund Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit https://www.diy.com/corporate/community
-
B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,300 stores in 10 countries across Europe, Russia and Turkey.
*Data correct:31 January 2019
‡ Full time equivalent
About GoodHome GoodHome is a new home improvement brand which provides a new, simpler way of doing things for home improvers, their helpers and the pros. Available exclusively at B&Q, it will offer unique products and solutions that are design-led, high quality and well-priced, and help to make home improvement accessible for everyone.
About Pinterest Pinterest is a visual discovery engine you use to find ideas for your life including dinner recipes, home and style inspiration, and more. People have saved more than 200 billion ideas across a range of categories, which others with similar tastes can discover through search and recommendations. Located in San Francisco, Pinterest launched in 2010 and now has +320 million monthly users around the world. Available on iOS and Android, and at pinterest.com.
B&Q NAMED THE CHEAPEST PLACE TO BUY A KITCHEN FOR THIRD YEAR RUNNING
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Kitchen Compare announce results following their seventh year of kitchen price and quality monitoring
- B&Q’s all year-round low pricing strategy earns them the title of ‘Lowest priced National DIY Retailer of Kitchens’ for the third year in a row
LONDON - UNDER EMBARGO UNTIL 00:01, 20th December: Comparison website, Kitchen Compare, today announced that B&Q has been named ‘Lowest Priced National DIY Retailer of Kitchens 2019’ for a third year running, beating rivals including, Homebase and Wickes.
The accolade has been awarded to B&Q for consistently having the lowest priced kitchens throughout 2019. The results follow Kitchen Compare’s meticulous daily activity monitoring and recording the prices, finance deals and promotional activity of directly comparable kitchens sold by UK’s DIY retailers every single day in 2019.
Kitchen Compare’s analysis takes a unique directly comparable 8-unit ‘Galley’ model, consisting of 50 individual components, across 34 different styles, sold across a variety of retailers and records the prices daily throughout the year. At the end of 2019, price data is analysed to establish which retailer’s prices were the lowest across the comparable styles.
The data showed B&Q had more than double as many comparable, lowest priced kitchens as its closest competitors - scooping the award across 12 kitchens, compared to Homebase’s two, and Wickes’ 3.
Steve Collinge, Managing Director at Kitchen-Compare.com said “It’s our mission to make it as easy and transparent as possible for shoppers to purchase their dream kitchen. Every day we monitor the activity of the UK’s leading kitchen retailers, including tracking the individual component prices of comparable kitchen styles. As a result, we have the most robust possible data which allows us to confirm with certainty that B&Q are consistently outperforming competitors, including Homebase, and Wickes, to offer the lowest priced kitchens.”
Iain McColgan, Director of Showrooms at B&Q, said “We’re thrilled to be independently recognised for offering customers the best value kitchens for the third year in a row, and the news follows the recent launch of a new range of GoodHome kitchens – the first for over 10 years.
At B&Q, we’re committed to helping customers create their dream home at an affordable price, delivering value with year round low prices across all home improvement products.”
- ENDS -
NOTES TO THE EDITOR For more information please contact Steve Collinge on Steve@irg.co.uk / 07831 562803.
ABOUT KITCHEN COMPARE Kitchen-compare.com is an independent website on a mission to demystify the kitchen market and make it easier for people to find their dream kitchen at the right price. Kitchen Compare’s team of experts have all worked in the Home Improvement industry for many years, so consumers can rely on their experience to help them get the best deal. Choosing a new kitchen can be both an exciting and daunting experience and at Kitchen Compare aim is to make the buying process simpler, easier and quicker.
ABOUT KITCHEN COMPARE CALCULATIONS Kitchen-Compare.com calculates total price for each kitchen by adding up components used to make up the typical eight-unit kitchen for comparable designs sold by the UK’s national DIY retailers, which includes: B&Q, Wickes, Homebase, Wren, Magnet, IKEA and John Lewis.
Initial visual analysis of the products takes place to determine if the kitchens are comparable in terms of their colour and appearance. This allows comparison to take account of kitchens across a range of price points from entry level to most premium kitchens. These prices are monitored and recorded throughout the year. For more information, visit https://www.kitchen-compare.com.
DECK THE HALLS WITH INCREDIBLE SAVINGS ON B&Q’S CHRTISTMAS RANGE
- B&Q is offering 20% off selected products across its Christmas range from 6th December, just in time for the festive season!
6th December, 2019 – B&Q is giving the nation all they need to make their homes magical this Christmas, with 20% off selected products in the Christmas range. This fantastic deal includes all Christmas lights, decorations and stockings as well as all artificial Christmas trees and wreaths - meaning you can deck the halls from top to toe at a fraction of the price.
The offer runs from Friday 6th December - Thursday 10th December and includes:
- 20% off all Christmas lights
- 20% off all artificial Christmas trees
- 20% off all Christmas decorations
- 20% off all artificial wreaths
- 20% off all stockings
- 20% off all sacks
- 20% off all Christmas animated characters and inflatables
- 20% off all wrapping paper
An essential product that is sure to impress guests’ year after year is the 5ft Eiger Artificial Christmas tree (was £24, now £19.20). This incredibly life-like tree looks and feels just like the real thing but has the added benefit of never shedding needles and always appearing as fresh and as bright as it was first purchased. Lightweight and super-easy to store, this tree is perfect for those looking to brighten up their living rooms this Christmas without the hassle of having to worry about mess or appearance!
Examples of great savings include:
- 120 LED Lights, was £9, now £7.20
- 20 Warm White LED Star Wire String lights, was £4, now £3.20
- Warm white LED Sausage dog Silhouette, was £15, now £12
- Ice white LED Pop up dog Silhouette, was £37, now £29.60
Visit your local B&Q store to view the range.
ENDS
For more information please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.
Notes to Editors
- More information on B&Q deals and offers can be accessed via www.diy.com or your nearest B&Q store.
ABOUT B&Q
B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across 40,000 products in 300 stores across the UK and on diy.com
Their team of more than 27,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing.
B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,200 stores in 10 countries across Europe.
JINGLE ALL THE WAY - KIDS REVEAL THEIR WISH LIST FOR A MAGICAL CHRISTMAS
- Research reveals that hundreds of presents, snow on Christmas morning and a HUGE Christmas tree with lots of baubles tops the list for children’s perfect Christmas
- B&Q is encouraging parents to put their kids in charge of decorating this year
15th November, 2019: Chocolate for breakfast, a gigantic Christmas tree with lots of baubles, and presents every hour top the list for a dream Christmas - according to children, aged 6 to 12, in the UK.
The study, commissioned by B&Q to encourage parents to hand over the (sleigh) reins to their kids this Christmas, also revealed that waking up before 7am - to a packed stocking, and snow - would make the big day extra special.
Almost one fifth (18%) of kids would choose a multi-coloured tree if they had their way, with a third opting for novelty unicorn decorations.
When it comes to decorating, colour is a must, with more than half of children (61%) saying they would choose colourful baubles and just under half (48%) opting for colourful lights if they were in charge this Christmas.
On the flip side, B&Q’s research revealed parents have very different ideas on how Christmas décor should look. On average, parents admit to choosing a more sensible sized 6ft tree despite their kids pester power, with almost two fifths (39%) claim to have a specific colour scheme for their Christmas tree.
It seems parents are precious when it comes to festive décor, with more than a quarter (27%) admitting to having a separate second Christmas tree for their children to decorate with a fifth (25%) confessing to sneakily tidying up the decorations on the tree once the kids had gone to bed!
Almost a quarter (24%) of children worry that Santa might miss their house if there are no lights outside - which may be why they want an average of six lit Christmas characters outside their house, compared to a third of parents not wanting any at all.
B&Q’s research also revealed that less than a third (31%) of children are allowed to help choose the Christmas tree, with adults looking to their partner for a helping hand when it comes to picking out the perfect spruce. This might explain why more than one in ten (15%) children think Christmas trees come straight from the North Pole!
Kam Dhillon, Category Manager for Christmas at B&Q, said: “Christmas is an exciting time for children, and this year we’re encouraging parents and grandparents alike to put the kids in charge – to let them have their say in decorating the home, so they can make Christmas really magical.
Whether it’s choosing the tallest tree, most colourful baubles or twinkliest lights, shoppers can pick up everything they to bring the magic home this Christmas at B&Q, in store or on diy.com.”
The top 12 wonders for a magical Christmas according to kids are:
- Hundreds of presents underneath the tree (54%)
- Chocolate for breakfast (53%)
- Snow on Christmas day (52%)
- Playing with toys all day (51%)
- Spending time with family (44%)
- A packed stocking (44%)
- Staying in pyjamas all day (42%)
- Christmas lights all over the house (41%)
- Presents every hour (40%)
- A visit from Father Christmas (39%)
- A gigantic Christmas tree with lots of baubles (37%)
- Decorating the tree the way you want it (36%)
-ENDS-
For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.
NOTES TO EDITORS
*Research conducted by OnePoll in November 2019 – 2000 respondents (1000 Parents + 1000 Children, UK Parents of 6-12 year olds who celebrate Christmas and their children)
Watch the Kids in Charge of Christmas video here
ABOUT B&Q
- B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across 40,000 products in 300 stores across the UK and on diy.com
- Their team of more than 27,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
- Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing.
- B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,200 stores in 10 countries across Europe.
CHRISTMAS MAGIC AT THE ANNUAL TREE HARVEST
- As the harvest begins, a quarter of a million trees will be harvested in a sustainable way, with more trees planted than are cut down.
- It takes a team of around 100 to complete the harvest
- B&Q’s range of real Christmas trees are arriving in-store now, and start from £19
Where the magic happens: The sun rises on the annual Christmas tree harvest in Aberdeenshire, marking the start of the magical festive season as trees are prepared for sale in B&Q stores across the UK
18th November 2019: From the onset of Christmas ads to mince pies on shelves, it’s safe to say Christmas has officially begun, which means it’s time to start thinking about the Christmas tree! As the sun rises on the start of the Christmas tree harvest in Aberdeenshire, a specialist team of growers begin the merry task of preparing the nation’s trees for sale in B&Q stores across the country.
The harvest sees a quarter of a million trees harvested in a sustainable way, with more trees planted than are cut down. A slick operation, the harvest requires meticulous planning to ensure the nation’s trees arrive right in time for the festivities.
Whilst the first arrival marks the start of the season, the harvest continues throughout November, with work peaking as the nation starts to reach for the mince pies! The Nordman Fir trees typically arrive in B&Q stores within two weeks of being cut down – perfectly fresh for shoppers looking to bring the magic home this season.
A story that starts well before the trees are collected from store, for many the journey of their Christmas tree is a tale untold:
- Once planted, trees take between six to ten years to grow. You can tell how old a Christmas tree is approximately by adding two years to the height in foot, for example, a 7ft tree would be around 9 years old
- To make sure they always look their finest when they arrive in store, all trees are left in the cold when cut down
- An insider tip! Trees start ageing as soon as they warm up, meaning trees cut at the start of the harvest will look just as fresh as those cut in December if kept outside, meaning customers should shop early for their pick of the crop!
- No tree goes to waste - if a tree isn’t quite ready (B&Q calls these ‘naughty trees’) it is kept planted for another year and nurtured until it is ready for sale in store
Kam Dhillon, B&Q’s Christmas Category Manager, explains: “It’s our mission at B&Q to help shoppers bring the magic home at Christmas, offering a variety of sustainably grown Christmas trees. What’s more, all of our trees are grown almost entirely in the UK, meaning customers can enjoy the festivities with peace of mind.
The annual harvest truly is a magical time of year, with the trees carefully nurtured for up to a decade until they are ready to fulfil their Christmas destiny.”
B&Q’s range of real Christmas trees are arriving in store now, and start from £19. To find out more about B&Q’s magical range of Christmas trees, real and artificial, and decorations log onto www.diy.com.
-ENDS-
Notes to editors:
[1] B&Q’s range of real Christmas trees are arriving in-store now, with the full range available by Friday, and start from £19. £19 price refers to a small Norway spruce
[2] iBid
For more information please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk or 0207 932 3693.
About B&Q
- B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across 40,000 products in 300 stores across the UK and on diy.com.
- Their team of more than 27,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
- Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing.
- B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,200 stores in 10 countries across Europe.
- For more information about B&Q please visit https://www.diy.com/corporate/about/
MILLIONS OF BRITS ARE ALREADY PREPPING THEIR HOMES FOR CHRISTMAS
Replacing the toilet seat, hanging curtains and installing extra storage are on the to-do list ahead of the holidays Brits start thinking about home improvements ahead of Christmas as early as October More than half of Brits plan to ‘pull out all the stops’ to win guests over with painting and replacing the toilet seat on the DIY Christmas to do to list.
14th November, 2019 – Millions of Brits are already prepping their home for Christmas, with home improvement jobs such as replacing the toilet seat and installing extra storage high on the agenda, a study from B&Q has revealed.
The research also uncovered that before Brits even think about getting the festive decorations down from the loft many are looking at other areas of their home to improve in the run up to Christmas day.
Overall, an average of three hours will be spent tidying the house and two hours decorating and prepping, such as hanging photos and painting walls.
What’s more, B&Q’s research revealed a quarter believe it's important to have a well presented home if they're hosting Christmas. As a result, more than half (53%) of Brits admit they will be 'pulling out all the stops’ and giving their homes a thorough festive fix up to win guests over. In fact, 62% of those polled via OnePoll said they make more of an effort to prepare their house for Christmas than they do for a traditional ‘spring clean’.
The top 12 jobs hosts plan on carrying out to get their homes ready for the Christmas period included:
- Buying Christmas presents (43%)
- Cleaning the bathroom (31%)
- Hanging a wreath (24%)
- Freshening up walls with a new coat of paint (22%)
- Buying new Christmas decorations (22%)
- Cleaning the window (24%)
- Buying a Christmas tree (18%)
- Buying Christmas decorations (18%)
- Replacing light fixtures (13%)
- Replacing light bulbs (13%)
- Installing extra storage (12%)
- Replacing the toilet seat (12%)
With many fix ups planned around the home at Christmas, some of Brits biggest priorities in the lead up to the big day include hanging curtains, installing insulation and putting up wallpaper.
B&Q’s research also revealed more than a sixth (18%) of Brits begin to think about home improvements as early as October, in comparison to four weeks prepping their festive decorations.
Kam Dhillon, Category Manager for Christmas for B&Q said:
“Hosting friends and family is one of the most magical parts of Christmas, which is why it’s important to have a home you’re proud to show off during the festive season.
We know people will have lots to do over Christmas, but there are lots of quick and easy ways to sort of those festive fix ups and have your home looking it's best for whatever you have planned
With Christmas just around the corner, there is no better time than the present to sort those little unfinished fix ups, and get your home for the festivities.
With our help and advice, it's easier than you think to get your home ready for Christmas, from the festive décor to that last minute replacement for the toilet seat, B&Q has hosts covered this holiday season.”
-ENDS-
NOTES TO EDITORS
For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.
ABOUT B&Q
- B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across 40,000 products in 300 stores across the UK and on [diy.com]
- Their team of more than 27,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
- Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing.
- B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,200 stores in 10 countries across Europe.
B&Q UNVEILS COMPLETELY NEW KITCHEN OFFERING
14TH NOVEMBER 2019: Today, B&Q unveiled its new kitchen offering - the first completely new range of kitchens to be launched by the home improvement brand in 10 years - as well as a new instore experience and digital tools to help customers create the kitchen of their dreams at an affordable price. With customers able to purchase everything they need for their kitchen project at B&Q – from kitchen cabinets and flooring, to lighting and paint – the updated range and offering helps make the process of renovating a kitchen simpler and easier.
Led by robust customer insight and designed around the five key kitchen activities - preparation, cooking, storage, cleaning, and eating – the new kitchen range makes it easier to create kitchens that both look good and provide a great space to cook and live in. The range is also designed to provide important practical features such as space, water and energy saving solutions.
Comprised of 26 new kitchen door ranges, in nine different styles, the range includes new appliances, worktops, taps, sinks, storage solutions and accessories that include handles, innovative under cabinet lighting and more – all at affordable price points.
The new kitchens at B&Q come with a longer guarantee - 25 years (was 10 years) and a range of flexible finance options, including 0% finance and buy now, pay later.
Housed under the new international GoodHome brand unveiled across Kingfisher stores earlier this year, the kitchens range is the third leading category to launch under the new brand following the GoodHome Bathrooms and GoodHome Interiors ranges which launched across Kingfisher’s major markets in June and September respectively.
Highlights of the new range include:
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Research shows that kitchens are getting smaller - in fact, six out of 10 are less than 12m2 – as a result, the range features appliances, storage, cabinets and more, with space in mind. The state-of-the-art romesco smart space sinks, for example, are ideal for creating a space-efficient and multifunctional work area, with an extra wide and deep bowl and clever integrated accessories.
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A good kitchen is technologically advanced and the new range is includes many innovative ideas like the GoodHome tasuke integrated cabinet lighting which uses motion controls to turn lights on, off, and switch between bright light and warm light without the hefty price tag.
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GoodHome products have been designed with sustainability in mind. The new GoodHome bamia appliances are energy efficient and offer a range of intuitive features including connected hobs and hoods that adjust the extraction rate to what’s cooking. All the wood used to make the GoodHome kitchen cabinets, fixtures and worktops is also FSC® or PEFCTM certified.
As well as the new range, B&Qs kitchen offering includes a new instore experience. The new kitchen showrooms, currently being rolled out across B&Q stores nationwide, enable customers to explore smart and compatible product solutions, be inspired by updated kitchen displays and take a look around Project Advice zones for ideas showing the best use of spaces. B&Q kitchen experts instore provide customers with personalised support with their kitchen planning.
The instore experience is enhanced by new online digital tools available on diy.com. Customers can use a new digital visualiser to see how the ranges will look in their own kitchen, book an appointment with an instore kitchen expert and review and plan their kitchen with an updated digital kitchen planning tool.
Iain McColgan Market Director for Kitchens at B&Q said “We’ve updated our offering to make it easier for our customers to plan and live in the kitchen of their dreams. The new GoodHome range of kitchens strengthens our position as the only retailer to offer customers everything they need for their kitchen project, from the kitchen cabinets and worktops, right through to the tiles and paint. With an updated instore experience and online tools such as the visualiser, a dream kitchen can now be a reality for our customers, all at an affordable price, and underwritten by a 25 year guarantee.”
The GoodHome kitchen range is available now online and instore. The new instore experience is currently being rolled out across B&Q stores nationwide.
ENDS
For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.
NOTES TO EDITORS
ABOUT B&Q + B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across 40,000 products in 300 stores across the UK and on diy.com + Their team of more than 27,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride. + Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing. + B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,300 stores in 10 countries across Europe.
About GoodHome GoodHome is our new home improvement brand and will provide a new, simpler way of doing things for home improvers, their helpers and the pros. It will offer unique products and solutions that are design-led, high quality and well-priced, and help to make home improvement accessible for everyone.
About Kingfisher plc Kingfisher plc is an international home improvement company with over 1,300 stores in 10 countries across Europe, supported by a team of 77,000 colleagues. We operate under four retail brands - B&Q, Castorama, Brico Dépôt and Screwfix. We offer DIY and home improvement products and services to nearly six million customers who shop in our stores and through our digital channels every week. Our customers are everyone wanting to improve their home, as well as the experts and trade professionals who help them. We believe everyone should have a home they feel good about, so our purpose is to make home improvement accessible for everyone. www.kingfisher.com
HIGH QUALITY DESIGN AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE - B&Q LAUNCHES STUNNING NEW KITCHEN RANGE
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The new collection includes 26 kitchen door ranges in nine different styles and comes with a 25 year guarantee
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The range also features new appliances, surfaces, taps, sinks, storage solutions and accessories – all at affordable prices
14TH NOVEMBER 2019: B&Q today unveiled a brand new kitchen range, the first major launch of kitchens by the home improvement retailer in over 10 years. The new collection, available instore and online, includes 26 kitchen door ranges in nine different styles, as well as new appliances, surfaces, taps, sinks, storage solutions and accessories – all at affordable prices.
With the exciting new launch, B&Q is still the only place where home improvers can get everything they need - from kitchen cabinets and flooring, to lighting and tiling - to complete their kitchen project, all under one roof.
Part of the GoodHome brand, launched earlier this year, and available exclusively at B&Q, the new kitchen range has been designed to simplify everyday activities, from food preparation to cooking, and cleaning. Preparation is made easier with high quality worktop solutions and adaptable accessories including magnetic utensil holders. Smart appliances make cooking simpler with familiar meal functionality and auto-adjust features, saving both time and energy. Clever solutions have also been created to keep the kitchen clean and tidy; from storage that makes use of every inch of space to durable, easy to clean surfaces. All GoodHome kitchens available at B&Q come with a 25 year guarantee and a range of flexible finance options, including 0% finance and buy now pay later, making it easier to create the kitchen of your dreams.
Iain McColgan, Category Director, Showrooms at B&Q explains “We know how important choosing a kitchen is for home improvers and with the launch of our brand new range – the first for over 10 years – there’s no need to compromise on design, quality or price. Designed to make it easier to plan and live in your dream kitchen, this new collection of 26 kitchens comes at affordable prices and with a 25 year guarantee. What’s more, at B&Q, we offer customers everything you need to complete a kitchen project – from the tiles and the paint, right through to the grouting and paint brushes – making it easier to create a kitchen that fits your home and lifestyle. ”
Available now at B&Q stores and online via diy.com, customers can book a design consultation or use B&Q’s unique kitchen visualiser tool to bring their dream kitchen to life in minutes.
STYLE HIGHLIGHTS FROM NEW GOODHOME FITTED KITCHENS AT B&Q
Style highlights from the new collection include:
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The garcinia kitchen – a matt stone style door with integrated handle. Also available in gloss options, which is recommended for smaller spaces as they’ll reflect any light back into the room.
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The artemisia kitchen – a midnight blue classic shaker style in a beautiful matt finish.
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The pasilla kitchen – a modern kitchen with matt slab thin frame style door which create a sleek, stylish look – available in two colours. What’s more, the pasilla range is covered in a material made from recycled plastic bottles.
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The balsamita kitchen - the balsamita matt grey slab style doors are perfect for adding a sense of space to a kitchen. The matt finish provides a smooth appearance in any light, at any angle.
NEW IN STORE SHOWROOMS AND DIGITAL TOOLS
As well as the new range, B&Q has also improved the instore experience and is totally transforming the kitchen showrooms in all stores nationwide. The new showrooms, currently being rolled out across all stores, include kitchen displays as well as a new Project Advice zone with ideas showing the best use of space and how the range of doors, worktops, handles can be mixed and maxed, to help visualise and plan a new kitchen. B&Q kitchen experts are also on hand to provide personalised support on kitchen planning.
New digital tools on diy.com will provide further support; the digital visualiser will help customers see how the ranges will look in their own kitchen, the booking tool makes it easy to book an appointment with an instore kitchen expert and the digital kitchen planning tool makes it easier for customers to review and plan their new kitchen.
INNOVATIVE IDEAS AND SPACE SAVING SOLUTIONS
So simple and smart you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it, GoodHome tasuke integrated cabinet lighting uses motion controls to turn lights on, off, and switch between settings. Meaning no more unhygienic switches or trying to turn the light on with your elbow!
The GoodHome romesco sink makes the most of even the smallest kitchen, with space-saving integrated accessories that help turn sinks into multi-functional areas. Its deep bowl and selection of matching, stackable accessories, including chopping board, draining board and cutlery holder make amazing use of precious kitchen space.
Similarly, the pebre, budu and pecel storage ranges are designed to make the most of unused spaces with flexible storage and organising solutions.
DESIGNED WITH SUSTAINABILITY IN MIND
GoodHome bamia appliances are designed to be as energy efficient as possible and include a range of intuitive features to make cooking easier.
The GoodHome bamia oven can be programmed to remember how to cook familiar meals saving time and making cooking easier. Plus, it also has an eco-cooking function, saving energy without affecting cooking performance. Similarly clever, GoodHome cooker hoods can be paired with GoodHome hobs through smart connectivity to auto-adjust their extraction rate, so that energy is not used unnecessarily.
The GoodHome kora waste system makes recycling easy, convenient and stylish, with an array of compatible products that save floor space while making waste organisation simple.
ENDS
For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.
NOTES TO EDITORS
ABOUT B&Q + B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across 40,000 products in 300 stores across the UK and on diy.com
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Their team of more than 27,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
-
Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing.
-
B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,300 stores in 10 countries across Europe.
ABOUT GOODHOME GoodHome is a new home improvement brand which provides a new, simpler way of doing things for home improvers, their helpers and the pros. Available exclusively at B&Q, it will offer unique products and solutions that are design-led, high quality and well-priced, and help to make home improvement accessible for everyone.
MAGICAL MUST HAVES: B&Q PREDICTS ITS FESTIVE FAVOURITES FOR THE SEASON
We all want our homes to look amazing at Christmas, and this year shoppers can count on B&Q to have everything they need to bring the magic home. Based on unique insight from DIY.com, Kam Dhillon, Category Manager for Christmas at B&Q, shares his predictions on this year’s festive must haves: “It’s safe to say this Christmas will see shoppers looking to add a touch of nostalgia into their decorating scheme, with playful characters predicted to be among top sellers this festive season. No Christmas is complete without the tree, and it seems 2019 is all about making a statement, with larger sizes leading the way.”
*Sausage Dog Motifs
Kam Dhillon, Category Manager for Christmas at B&Q, comments: “Dogs are always a family favourite and the sausage dog trend shows no signs of dying down. A great way to inject some fun into your interior style, we’re seeing festive sausage dogs already sparking keen interest from eager shoppers and are expected to be top of the wish list this Christmas.”
“It’s a trend paw-fect for kids and adults alike – little ones will love B&Q’s Dog Tinsel Pop Up Character (£37) a friendly light-up companion for outside the home that’s sure to make Santa take notice. For the big kids, B&Q’s Warm White LED Sausage Dog Silhouette (£15) is sure to set tails wagging, adding a touch of lively sophistication to any room in the house and come 7th January you won’t want to take it down!”
Playful Decorations Kam Dhillon, Category Manager for Christmas at B&Q, adds: “‘Have you been naughty or nice?’ is the question on everyone’s lips at Christmas, so why not let your decorations keep track? B&Q’s Naughty or Nice Santa Decoration (£3) provides a playful reminder for anyone hoping for a stocking full to the brim this Christmas, as well as adding a jolly touch to any tree.”
Bigger and Better
Kam Dhillon, Category Manager for Christmas at B&Q, notes: “This year sees shoppers going big with their artificial Christmas trees, with 6ft styles and over proving popular according to B&Q sales data as customers look to create a show-stopping display.”
For anyone looking to make a statement with their festive centrepiece, B&Q’s 7ft 6in Thetford Pre-lit artificial Christmas tree (£209) will light up the room. After classic green, snowy white seems to be the pick of the season with B&Q’s 7ft Igora Pre-lit artificial Christmas tree (£125) looking set to be a big hitter this Christmas.”
Shoppers can find B&Q’s Christmas range on diy.com and in-store now.
ENDS Notes for Editors:
For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.
All images are available on Press Loft.
ABOUT B&Q
- B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across 40,000 products in 300 stores across the UK and on diy.com
- Their team of more than 27,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
- Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing.
- B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,300 stores in 10 countries across Europe.
EX-DETECTIVE AND FORMER STAR OF ‘HUNTED’ SHARES TIPS TO HELP PROTECT HOMES AS BURGLARIES SPIKE WITH THE CLOCKS GOING BACK
- Research reveals home burglaries increase by a third when clocks go back
- Home security a priority with evenings like Halloween and Bonfire Night looming, more people will be out in the evenings, meaning home security needs to be prioritised, to deter opportunists operating at this time of year during hours of darkness
- Ex-Scotland Yard Detective and former star of Channel 4’s ‘Hunted’, Peter Bleksley, has teamed up with B&Q to share advice on making homes more secure.
24th October 2019: The clocks going back on 27th October may mean an extra hour in bed, but it also signals the need to reassess home security as it has been reported that burglaries spike by a third during the five months of daylight saving each year . Tied with the fact that key calendar events such as Halloween and Bonfire Night will be taking place, meaning more people than ever will be out and about during the hours of darkness, the UK’s leading home improvement retailer, B&Q, has collaborated with Peter Bleksley, former star of Channel 4’s hit show ‘Hunted, to offer advice on how to make your home more secure.
Bleksley, who was a Scotland Yard Detective for 20 years, commented: “It’s important to protect your home all year round, but the fact is that burglaries spike in winter months as longer nights give greater cover of darkness. Homes should be a haven where you feel safe and secure, and this is perhaps even more of a consideration for single occupancy households that are at an all-time high in the UK. The number of people living on their own increased 16 percent between 1997 and 2017 to 7.7 million, and the majority (53 per cent) of single dwellers are women . This is not an exercise in scaremongering, but a reminder that we all need to take control of our home security, whatever our living situation, and keep up to date with the latest advice to keep our homes safe.”
Peter Bleksley's top tips to help make your home safer:
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Look at your home as an outsider – We can quickly become immune to weaknesses in our security and, unless you land yourself in the tricky situation of having to find a way in after being locked out, it’s unlikely you’ll truly look at your home the way an intruder might. Save yourself the drama of simulating a ‘lock out’ and have a friend or neighbour look around the outside of your home and see if they can spot any easy ways in, you might be surprised by what they come up with.
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Use tech to keep an eye on your home – Invest in smart security cameras that can connect to a smartphone, tablet or camera so you can see and hear what’s happening inside and outside of your house, when you are not at home. Some can be as sophisticated as having motion-triggered recording, infrared night vision, and two-way audio communication capability.
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Smart bell – A smart video doorbell is a great idea as it lets you view, listen and speak to visitors even when you're not at home. They are also handy if you want to check who is at your door before you answer. Some smart bells can send notifications to your phone when motion is detected, so you can see what’s happening outside your front door using your device, even if the doorbell is rung.
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Light up your life – Invest in smart outdoor lighting. Intruders like to operate under cover of darkness so having sensor lighting outside your home is a brilliant deterrent.
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Hide your alarm key pad – Installing a home security system is a great deterrent, but it isn’t fool-proof. Most people install their alarm key pads by the front or back door for quick and easy access, which makes sense, but when you’re placing it in such a visible area, burglars may be able to peak in to see whether it has been activated or not. My advice would be to conceal your alarm key pad so that it isn’t visible from outside and can’t be immediately located if someone were to get in.
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Let ‘Mother Nature’ lend a hand – Not all home security has to make your home look like a fortress. A beautiful yet thorny rose bush planted underneath the window can do wonders to deter unwanted guests, and installing a gravel drive is a simple yet effective way to ensure that you are alerted to the sound of someone approaching the house who shouldn’t be.
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Secure the car – our cars are one of the highest value items we have around our homes and yet we all just leave them on the drive for any would be thief to see and size up. We might not all have the luxury of a garage, but driveway security posts or bollards can act as both a visual and physical deterrent. Oh and don’t leave your keys in plain sight. Having them by the front door might be convenient during the morning rush, but it’s also convenient for unsavoury characters who might like to relieve you or your ride.
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Don’t hide valuables in the master bedroom – The master bedroom is known by burglars as the room where valuables are kept. Just picture your own bedroom right now… is there jewellery, cash, credit cards and personal documents like passports in the bedside table? I bet there is. And no doubt a smart handbag or two in the wardrobe. We need to all be savvier than that. If you must keep cash in the house, then stash it somewhere unexpected like the top cupboard of your child’s bedroom or in a safe that is secured inside an unassuming cupboard or under the floorboards. Another top tip is to install a decoy safe somewhere more obvious, throwing burglars completely off their track.
For more ideas and advice on home security, head to DIY.com: https://www.diy.com/ideas-advice/20-ways-to-keep-your-home-secure/CC_npcart_400233.art
Shop the range:
- Yale Wireless Sync Home Alarm Family Kit, £279, DIY.com
- Ring Spotlight Camera, £199, DIY.com
- Google Nest IQ Internal Smart Camera, £269, DIY.com
- Ring V1 Wireless Video Doorbell, £89, DIY.com
- 20mm Gravel Bulk Bag, £42, DIY.com
- Autolock Parking Post, £87, DIY.com
- Blooma Weyburn Gloss Black LED PIR Motion Sensor Outdoor Security Light 20W, £31, DIY.com
-Ends-
Notes for Editors:
For more info contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693. About B&Q
- B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across
- 40,000 products in 300 stores across the UK and on diy.com
- Their team of more than 27,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
- Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing.
- B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,300 stores in 10 countries across Europe.
1 https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/uk-daylight-saving-burglary-time-clocks-go-back-co-op-insurance-a8594936.html Office of National Statistics
THAT’S SO LAST SEASON! HOTTEST INTERIOR TRENDS PREDICTED FOR THE YEAR AHEAD
- Blue paint shades, black flooring and geometric walls predicted to be most lust-worthy 2020 trends
- B&Q’s 3 for 2 offers on paint, flooring and tiles make it easier to get the look for less
Monday 14th October 2019: Attention trend spotters! Today the most lust-worthy interior trends of 2020 have been revealed by B&Q; with hues of blue, moody black living room floors and metallic geometric walls all set to be big hitters. Drawing on DIY.com search data, top selling products and insight from in-house experts, the UK’s leading home improvement retailer has forecasted what will be hot in 2020 across paint, flooring and wallpaper.
Whether it’s small but impactful paint jobs or cheating your way to Insta-ready floors, these trends are easy to adopt and can be done in a day. Kirsty Mole, Category Manager for Décor at B&Q, shares her top tips on how to incorporate the five hottest interior looks of 2020 into your home. What’s more, updating your interiors ready for the turn of the decade is now even more affordable with B&Q offering 3 for 2 on paint, flooring and tiles from now until 3rd November.
1. BLUE IS THE REIGNING HUE – Prevailing as the most searched for colour (behind shades of white and grey), it’s easy to see why blue is emerging as the coolest trend that will rule as the colour for 2020. Its depth and range makes blue one of the most versatile colours, giving the option to be brave with vibrant and rich tones, or soft and tranquil with lighter or muted shades. Its colour versatility is equalled by its usability, making it the perfect choice for many spaces. With blue predicted as a best-seller in 2020, Kirsty Mole shares inspiration and ideas for the most up to date ways to use different shades:
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“Match inky woodwork and walls – The devil is often in the detail when it comes to chic interiors, but by simply matching your woodwork to your wall you can create an effortlessly stylish look. Opt for smooth, powdery blue-grey shades such as GoodHome Antibes paint or muted teal for ultimate impact.”
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“Statement walls with a twist – Traditional ‘feature walls’ may have fallen out of fashion, but 2020 will see people breaking the boundaries with straight lines, angles and interesting shapes to give this old favourite a new, modern twist. Bright blue shades make for a great base colour, and then you can get playful with shapes to inject personality. For extra intrigue, intersect open shelving across feature walls.”
2. LET THE SEASONS LEAD YOU – Search data shows that consumers get experimental with paint palettes at different times of year, with spring bringing a rise in searches for pink (26%) and yellow (9%) paint on diy.com vs. autumn and winter months. In preparation for brighter, sunnier days to come, Kirsty shares her top picks for using pink and yellow paint shades in your home in the 2020 way:
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“Taking pink past millennials - Pink is often shyed away from for the fear of it looking childish. If you’re scared of the brighter ‘millennial pink’ tones, go for a more sophisticated washed pink, such as GoodHome Kyoto paint, for an elegant and clean look.”
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“Inject a touch of sunshine - Traditionally the sunshine colour, yellow doesn’t just have to be for summer. Perfect for injecting cheer into any room, try mixing and matching yellow shades, such as GoodHome Andalusia paint and GoodHome Gran via paint, as the pigments complement one another.”
3. STRIKE OPULANCE WITH FLOORING – High impact yet affordable, easy to install flooring is predicted to be in vogue in 2020 with search terms combining ‘luxury’ and ‘flooring’ soaring on diy.com. Within this category, dramatic styles that demand attention and broadcast extravagance are set to dominate as an interior trend next year. Kirsty shares B&Q’s top flooring looks for the new decade:
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“Moody black slate takes centre stage – The popularity of using melodramatic black floor tiles is on the rise, but in quite an unexpected place – namely the living room. To get the moody look, try the GoodHome Jazy Slate Tile click flooring. The beauty of click-flooring is that it's affordable to buy and easy to use, making experimentation with different materials and laying techniques a doddle. Not only is it a quick and convenient way to achieve luxury floors that look more expensive than they are, these tiles are also harder wearing than laminate flooring. It’s easy to see why ‘luxury vinyl click flooring’ has become a regular feature in diy.com’s top 3 flooring search terms.
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"New generation wood flooring is even more stylish” – Traditional wooden flooring continues to be a timeless classic with the oak colourway consistently featuring in B&Q’s top 20 flooring products. However, for those who don’t mind investing a little more time when it comes to installing high impact flooring, 2020 will give this stylish favourite a modern revamp with slim tiles laid in herringbone patterns. Lead the pack into the new decade with GoodHome Skara Natural Oak solid wood flooring, perfect when paired with chic, industrial inspired furniture.”
4. INTO A METALLIC DIMENSION – The geometric wallpaper trend shows no sign of slowing down in 2020, but search data indicates that it will take on a shiny new twist with shades of rose, silver and gold on the rise. With clever product quirks, Kirsty’s trend predications for the year ahead are set to be a hit with homeowners and renters alike:
- “Shiny new walls, made easier - Geometric prints give instant art deco glamour to bedrooms, living rooms and hallways. What’s more, we see this trend taking off even among renters as many styles come using ‘Paste the wall’ technology. This nifty product saves up to 30% of the time traditionally required to hang wallpaper, requires no pasting table and simply peels off when you fancy a change or are moving out”.
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For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.
NOTES TO EDITORS
Featured products include:
- GoodHome Walls & ceilings Antibes paint Silk Emulsion paint 2.5L, £12
- Valspar interior paint available from £12
- GoodHome Walls & ceilings Kyoto paint Matt Emulsion paint 2.5L, £12
- GoodHome Walls & ceilings Andalusia Matt Emulsion paint 2.5L, £12
- GoodHome Walls & ceilings Gran via Matt Emulsion paint 2.5L, £12
- GoodHome Jazy Slate Tile effect Luxury vinyl click flooring, 2.23m2 Pack, £49.06
- GoodHome Skara Natural Oak Solid wood flooring, 0.86m² Pack, £49.02
- Fine décor Apex Rose gold Geometric Metallic effect Wallpaper, £16
- GoodHome Ajuga Charcoal Art deco Rose gold metallic effect Wallpaper, £16
ABOUT B&Q
- B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across 40,000 products in 300 stores across the UK and on diy.com
- Their team of more than 27,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
- Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing.
- B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,200 stores in 10 countries across Europe.
HOME HAPPINESS REVEALED: RENTERS CAN BE JUST AS HAPPY AS HOME OWNERS
October 2019: A study of 13,000 people across Europe revealed that home happiness has no reflection on whether you rent or own your home, which is great news for anyone choosing to rent or those finding it difficult to get their foot on the property ladder.
In partnership with the Happiness Research Institute, B&Q and Kingfisher’s GoodHome Report looked at the triggers that contribute to ‘home happiness,’ with insights showing that as long as renters can have some degree of control to be able to adapt and improve their homes, their levels of ‘home happiness’ can be the same as those who own.
The research showed that regardless of age and demographic, home happiness increases when people invest more time and energy into improving their homes. A huge 74% of people who are interested in and spend time doing home improvements are proud of their homes, and the report also revealed that happiness in the home is directly linked to overall happiness in life.
Supporting research conducted by B&Q found that while renters were less confident when it came to their DIY skills (57% admitted they were only ‘occasional DIYers, able to take on smaller tasks but not the large ones), they were more likely to take on projects themselves, with 30% believing that giving it go themselves would save money. Furthermore, 37% of renters believed doing your own home improvements was a source of pride, further proving that improving your space – whether rented or owned – can have a significant impact on how we feel.
Susie Spence, Décor Category Director comments; “At B&Q we want to make home improvement accessible for everyone – whether they are renters or home owners. We know the huge impact making changes to your space can have on home happiness, which is why we have a collection of products, such as our peel and stick wallpaper, which can help renters adapt and personalise their homes, whilst still getting their deposit back from a landlord. Our research shows that the assumption that renters don’t or can’t take on home improvement projects is incorrect, and in fact renters are just as likely to want to pick up a paint brush or change their wallpaper as homeowners, which is why we’re launching a series of ‘how to’ video to help.”
Deposit-Friendly DIY – Making your rented space feel like home
So – how can you make your rented house feel more like home? With 37% of us admitting we don’t feel a sense of identity in relation to our homes, it may seem like a massive job, but luckily, Susie Spence, Décor Category Director at B&Q is on hand with her renter friendly tips that won’t break the bank or dent your deposit:
“First things first, always get the permission of your landlord before making any changes to your accommodation to ensure you protect your deposit. And advise whether the changes you wish to make are permanent or not and if not, how you plan to change it back to its original state once you leave."
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CREATE A GREATER SENSE OF SPACE – Make the most of height in smaller rooms by creating a gallery of prints and photos. In bigger rooms, use the width by introducing wider freestanding shelves and larger prints. When adding prints, photos, plants and trinkets, think about the space you have. If you have a larger room, think horizontally. Wider freestanding shelves and larger prints. In a smaller space, think vertically, and make use of the height. This can be done by a gallery of prints, for example.
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PAPER PERSONALITY - If your landlord isn’t keen on you picking up the paintbrush, then B&Q’s ‘Peel and Stick’ wallpaper can be easily peeled off in full sheets when you move out the property, leaving behind no sticky residue. As the name suggests, this clever wallpaper simply peels and sticks, without the need for wallpaper paste.
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COLOUR CREATIVE – If paint can be used, consider different shades of paint to create the illusion of space and light. For example, use two similar shades from the B&Q’s GoodHome Paint, with the darker shade painted halfway up the walls, with the lighter shade on top. Be creative with colour to reflect your personality.
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REPLACING DOORS KNOBS AND HANDLES - Add a little style to your doors and cupboards by switching out old door knobs for something a little different. Whether it’s a hand-painted ceramic knob, rustic handles or contemporary style levers, there are so many to choose from. Just remember to save the original knob and its fixtures so you can replace it when you move.
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SPRUCE UP OLD FURNITURE WITH A SELF-ADHESIVE FILM - You can pick up non-permanent, self-adhesive films in a range of styles these days, such as marble, chalkboard and wood effect. They are easy to apply and can be used as a convenient and affordable way to spruce up any old furniture that you own. If it’s not your own furniture always get your landlord’s permission before applying anything to their stuff. Once you have the green light, it’s as simple as peel and stick! If you’re worried, you can always test a small patch on another hidden surface first to double-check it doesn’t leave any marks when you pull it back off.
-ENDS-
NOTES TO EDITORS
For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.
ABOUT B&Q
- B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across 40,000 products in 300 stores across the UK and on diy.com
- Their team of more than 27,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
- Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing.
- B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,200 stores in 10 countries across Europe.
FIVE TIPS TO TRANSFORM YOUR HALLWAY INTO A LIGHT AND AIRY SPACE
Our hallways are the first thing that greet us and our guests in our home, they deal with the daily rush hour and house everything from muddy shoes and damp coats to hats and umbrellas, yet the hallway is often the last on our home improvement list. With five simple solutions we show how you can introduce the feeling of warmth and create a greater sense of space using the GoodHome interior project approach on any budget.
Susie Spence, Décor Category Director at B&Q’s tips to improve your hallway include:
A lighter and brighter look – According to B&Q and Kingfisher’s GoodHome Report, a study carried out in partnership with the Happiness Research Institute, the feeling of space is actually three times more important than the actual space that you have. Your hallway is the introduction to your home and so you want it to feel welcoming.
The feeling of warmth can be achieved by considering the combination of colour, surfaces on walls, the floor or ceiling and the level of natural light available. Lighter tones are recommended for narrow spaces with limited light. Also, consider a paint that has reflective qualities that can help make the most of the light you do have. Where light is in abundance, you can play with colours and surfaces.
The way you apply your colour is just as important as the colour itself. It can help you make the most of the size, space and proportions you have in your home. Try introducing a warm shade halfway up your hallway walls, with a lighter shade on top, to create an illusion of space and light. Choose from one of the 80 curated colours in the GoodHome paint range, which is designed to suit any home.
Maximise your space – Shoes, coats, keys, bags, umbrellas and pet leads all find a home in our hallways. In a narrow hallway you can make the most of the space available and the proportions of your hallway by thinking about it vertically. By that we mean, think about the space above you, and keep the floor clear. Using hooks is a great way to create a feature wall while keeping design and functionality in balance (we can’t promise you won’t still forget your keys though).
If you have a bigger hallway, consider the space horizontally, then you can get creative with clever storage solutions. Think smartly about height and install storage at different levels to create zones for your children’s belongings as well as your own.
Inject some of your personality – It is the first thing your guests see when you welcome them into your home, so you want your hallway to reflect who you and your family are. Displaying your budding Picasso’s artwork on the walls, adding family photos or putting up your favourite prints are all great ways to inject a bit of personality. Why not draw extra attention to them by subtly framing with a contrasting block of GoodHome Hempstead durable walls and ceilings paint? Alternatively, mirrors are a simple trick to inject a greater sense of space and light. Couple your updated walls with some plants to breathe life into the space – where light is limited, don’t be afraid to use artificial plants.
A finish that you can keep fresh and clean – The hallway is one of the highest traffic spots in the house. With soggy dogs shaking off the damp from the evening walk, muddy kids disrobing and shopping bags crashing around after your weekly haul, the walls in your hallway are destined to be scuffed. Make sure to choose a paint that can withstand the test of time and cover a multitude of sins. GoodHome durable walls and ceilings paint is washable and scrubbable. We’ve used Pimlico colour halfway up the wall in a durable paint that allows mucky fingerprints to be easily wiped away without affecting your carefully chosen wall colour.
A tough walkway for family rush hour – It’s not just your walls that have the ability to change the way your hallway looks and feels; floors are often an undervalued and overlooked surface. Floor tiles are brilliant as they are durable enough to withstand the hustle and bustle of the daily rush and are easy to clean too, but that doesn’t mean that you have to compromise on style. When thinking about the floor, don’t just select by colour but think about the format of the floor or tile. A large format in a smaller space can give a better sense of space as there are less lines running through. GoodHome Konkrete tile looks like chic poured concrete, but comes without the concrete cost, tick.
Products featured include:
- GoodHome Pimlico durable walls and ceilings paint, £16 for 2.5L from B&Q
- GoodHome Hempstead durable walls and ceilings paint, £16 for 2.5L from B&Q
- GoodHome Konkrete porcelain floor tile, £22.80 for a pack of 4 from B&Q
- GoodHome Kensal vertical anthracite radiator, £180 from B&Q
- GoodHome Santa Fe durable walls and ceiling paint, £16 for 2.5L from B&Q
Changing the interior of your home is the quickest and easiest way to make meaningful changes in your home and transform it into one that meets your needs. GoodHome, which can be found at B&Q, has simplified the task of updating your interiors with a project approach to renovating walls and floors. The launch includes a range of products and solutions, and by helping you better understand your needs, your home and your personal style preference, we make it easier transform your home and reap the benefits of the happiness payoff.
Goodhome Interior Projects are available in B&Q stores and on diy.com
- END -
For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.
ABOUT B&Q
-
B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across over 40,000 products in 296* stores across the UK and on diy.com
-
Their team of more than 27,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
-
Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities undertaking home improvement projects and raising money to fund Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit B&Q in the Community
-
B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,300 stores in 10 countries across Europe, Russia and Turkey.
*Data correct: 2 September 2019
SIMPLE WAYS TO STAMP YOUR PERSONALITY ONTO YOUR LIVING ROOM
Susie Spence, Décor Category Director at B&Q said: “According to B&Q and Kingfisher’s GoodHome Report, a study carried out in partnership with the Happiness Research Institute, we know it’s important that our home reflects our identity, so I have curated a series of tips on how to update your home on any budget, with options should your landlord not be so keen on you picking up the paintbrush.”
Take control and add some colour – Make your living room a place that reflects your style by adding colour and personality to your space. First off, it’s important to freshen up your walls with a neutral paint that has good coverage to hide the stains that build up over the years. This is the first step to understanding and appreciating the space you have before considering what colour and style you want to introduce.
Gone are days of feature walls that address just one wall. You have four walls and a ceiling to play with. Think about the area you want to make a focal point and create some ideas that will help add your identity to it.
Paste the walls – Yep, I said it, paste the walls… wallpaper just got a whole lot simpler. Let me introduce you to the new generation of ’paste the wall’ wallpaper which saves up to 30% of the time it takes to hang traditional wallpaper. Simply paste the wall (no pasting table required) and hang. And when you fancy a change, or are moving out, it simply peels off.
Don’t fancy wallpapering an entire wall? A simple solution is to add wallpaper to canvases or plywood panels and lean them against the wall. It’s quick and easy to change.
Add some life to old furniture – Many of us have pieces from junk yards and vintage stores that just need a bit of TLC, or a piece that simply doesn’t fit with the colour scheme of the room. Bring some new life into frames, tables, chairs, cabinets and floors, with our curated range of paints, suitable for a multitude of tasks. With 80 curated colours to choose from, this is a cost-effective way to inject more colour into your space.
All pieces don’t just have to be block colour. Consider using stencils, angular shapes or an ombre effect to perfectly match the piece with your interior.
Added personality – When adding prints, photos, plants and trinkets, think about the space you have. If you have a larger room, think horizontally. Wider freestanding shelves and larger prints. In a smaller space, think vertically, and make use of the height. This can be done by a gallery of prints, for example.
Products featured include:
- GoodHome Gran Via durable walls and ceilings paint, £16 for 2.5L from B&Q
- GoodHome Kyoto durable walls and ceilings paint, £16 for 2.5L from B&Q
- GoodHome Rockhampton laminate flooring in grey oak effect, £19.74 per pack from B&Q
- GoodHome Milltown durable walls and ceilings paint, £16 for 2.5L from B&Q
- GoodHome Chueca durable walls and ceilings paint, £16 for 2.5L from B&Q
- GoodHome Hamptons walls and ceilings emulsion paint, £12 for 2.5L from B&Q
- GoodHome Ajuga paste the wall vinyl wallpaper, £16 from B&Q
- GoodHome Jori paste the wall vinyl wallpaper, £16 from B&Q
- GoodHome Granada walls and ceilings emulsion paint, £12 for 2.5L from B&Q
- GoodHome durable cabinet and wardrobe paint, £20 for 750ml from B&Q
- GoodHome Cancun walls and ceilings emulsion paint, £12 for 2.5L from B&Q
Changing the interior of your home is the quickest and easiest way to make meaningful changes in your home and transform it into one that meets your needs. GoodHome Interior Projects has simplified the task of renovating your interiors with a project approach to renovating walls and floors. With a curated range of products and solutions, and by helping you understand your needs, your home and your personal style preference, we make it easier transform your home into one that makes you happy.
GoodHome Interior Projects are available in B&Q stores and on diy.com now.
- END -
For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.
ABOUT B&Q
-
B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across over 40,000 products in 296* stores across the UK and on diy.com
-
Their team of more than 27,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
-
Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities undertaking home improvement projects and raising money to fund Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit B&Q in the Community
-
B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,300 stores in 10 countries across Europe, Russia and Turkey.
*Data correct: 2 September 2019
LOSING FOCUS? HOW TO MAKE AN OFFICE IN YOUR DEAD SPACE AT HOME
With people up and down the nation working from bed, the sofa or the kitchen table, Susie Spence, Décor Category Director at B&Q has compiled tips to show you how GoodHome interior projects approach will help you transform an area in your home – no matter how big or small – into a functional workspace that is harmonious with your current living environment.
Map out your space – Work life is becoming more a part of home life than ever, as people are increasingly working from home. Keep your work separate from family time by creating a dedicated workspace. When creating this space, consider the whole room to ensure it works in harmony with the rest of the space.
Possibly the most important decision is the percentage of the room you want to dedicate to your workspace, as this will impact the size of desk and the kind of storage. This is your starting point.
Let there be light – Consider natural light. If you are going to spend long days at your desk, a good level of natural light will help with concentration. If natural light is a luxury, add a desk light or floor lamp to the area to help keep the energy up and concentration on point during a long day.
Create your zone – To keep work and play separate, an idea is to create a zone. There are a number of ways you can approach this. Adding a different colour to this area, for example. The use of colour here will create energy and stimulate the mind. Be sure to consider how the colour works with the rest of the room. You can even consider creating a divider, which is a great way to hide the mess from the daily grind – at least they’re not on the kitchen table anymore.
Wallpaper is another simple yet effective option. Zone the different area with easy-to-use paste-the-wall wallpaper, which takes up to 30% less time than traditional paste the paper method and peels off should you change your mind.
Functionality – When considering your desk and storage, consider the size of your space. In a smaller space think vertically, taller storage units and are best in comparison to wider units and pin boards in a larger space. If you want to section off the back of a narrow space, consider something long and narrow, but a more square room may be better with the same type of proportions.
Harmonious Flooring – Hardwearing flooring is a must with ‘home-office’ chairs and stools often creating scuffs and scratches. Ensure you choose something that is durable, ready and able to take on the daily grind as much as you are. B&Q’s GoodHome Visby solid wood flooring will grow old with your business, with a lifetime guarantee and an appealing price point.
Products featured include:
- GoodHome Vulpin paste the wall vinyl wallpaper, £14 per roll from B&Q
- GoodHome Visby solid wood flooring, £50.54 per pack from B&Q
- GoodHome Gran Via durable walls and ceilings paint, £16 for 2.5L from B&Q
- GoodHome Brilliant White air purifying paint, £16 from B&Q
B&Q and Kingfisher’s GoodHome Report, a study carried out in partnership with the Happiness Research Institute found that having a home that is adaptable to the different stages in our lives is integral to our happiness. Changing the interior of your home is the quickest and easiest way to make meaningful changes in your home and transform it into one that meets your needs.
GoodHome Interiors Projects have simplified the task of updating your interiors with a project approach to renovating walls and floors. The launch includes a range of products and solutions, and by helping you better understand your needs, your home and your personal style preference, we make it easier transform your home and reap the benefits of the happiness payoff.
- END -
For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.
ABOUT B&Q
-
B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across over 40,000 products in 296* stores across the UK and on diy.com
-
Their team of more than 27,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
-
Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities undertaking home improvement projects and raising money to fund Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit https://www.diy.com/corporate/community
-
B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,300 stores in 10 countries across Europe, Russia and Turkey.
*Data correct: 2 September 2019
RISE OF THE ‘DO IT IN A DAY-ERS’: IMPROVING THEIR HOMES, HAVING FUN, AND FINDING TIME TO RELAX
- Savvy ‘do it in a day-ers’ will be doing their DIY jobs in one day this weekend, leaving lots of time to enjoy the results and have fun with friends and family
- Painting will be one of the most popular jobs in British homes
- Parents will be repainting front doors ready for back-to-school photos
- B&Q has ‘do it in a day’ tips and advice to help people with painting so they can get great results and enjoy a variety of weekend activities
23rd August 2019: This bank holiday weekend, savvy people across the country will become ‘do it in a day-ers’ according to research from B&Q. One in four will be avoiding ‘FOMO’ by getting home improvements done in one day, leaving the rest of the weekend free for having fun with friends and family and enjoying some all-important rejuvenation.
With extra time on many people’s hands this weekend, 31.6 million people will be acting on their home improvement to-do lists with an average of two jobs getting ticked off. More than half of people (56 per cent) intend to dive into jobs like painting and ‘do it in a day’, with the most popular days being Saturday and Sunday, so they can kick back and enjoy other activities on Monday.
The top activities for weekend plans include visiting friends and family (47 per cent), going out for a walk, bike ride or hike (39 per cent) and gardening (39 per cent), with catching up on forty winks coming up close behind (29 per cent).
On the home improvement side, painting is one of the most popular DIY jobs and high on the agenda for parents is repainting the front door, ready for the essential first day back to school photograph. Two in five parents (40 per cent) are considering giving their front door a lick of paint this weekend in preparation, with the front step being four times more popular than the school gates for the new term photo (41 per cent compared to 10 per cent).
The research also found the average household has five little DIY jobs to tackle and will spend a tidy 4 hours and 49 minutes getting some of them done, leaving the rest of the weekend free for enjoying good weather and great company.
Almost half of people (48 per cent) expect to ‘finally have time to get things done’ this weekend with a quarter (27 per cent) looking ahead to the nice weather to get them moving and one in six (16 per cent) wanting to get things done before the kids go back to school.
Craig Collins, Market Manager for Paint at B&Q commented: “Much of Britain will be enjoying a long weekend with the bank holiday coming up and people are planning to combine traditional home improvement efforts with having lots of fun.
“It’s clear that people know they can do jobs like painting in one day, leaving plenty of time for socialising and getting some last-minute barbecues in. This weekend is a great time to find that motivation and ‘do it’ on Sunday so you can relax and unwind on Monday before work starts again.”
Top 10 home improvement tasks on people’s to-do lists:
- Painting a wall or ceiling (50 per cent)
- Painting a skirting board (29 per cent)
- Painting the fence (26 per cent)
- Resealing the bath or shower (24 per cent)
- Putting up shelves (21 per cent)
- Wallpapering (19 per cent)
- Painting the shed (18 per cent)
- Laying new flooring (17 per cent)
- Upcycling furniture (16 per cent)
- Painting the front door (14 per cent)
7 paint projects people could do in a day this bank holiday weekend:
- Paint a front door
- Paint a statement ceiling
- Paint a wall
- Paint a zone area or feature wall
- Paint a wooden window frame
- Paint a shed
- Paint to upcycle furniture
B&Q has simple ‘do it in a day’ tutorials and handy product recommendations for getting paint jobs done in one day so people can balance improving their home with other fun activities this weekend.
-ENDS-
NOTES TO EDITORS
For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.
The research was conducted by OnePoll, surveying 2,000 UK respondents in April 2019. Based on UK adult population from ONS (GB people 18 and over) and 60.6 per cent of respondents saying they had DIY jobs to do. View here
ABOUT B&Q
- B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across 40,000 products in 300 stores across the UK and on diy.com
- Their team of more than 27,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
- Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing.
- B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,200 stores in 10 countries across Europe.
Planting for Butterflies
August 2019, London - Butterflies are a wonderful part of Britain’s wildlife, providing not only beauty and colour to the great outdoors but also acting as key indicators of a healthy environment and ecosystem.
Sadly, over the last 150 years, four species of butterfly have already become extinct and three quarters of British butterflies are in decline , meaning it has become increasingly important for the nation to do their part for butterfly conservation. As well as acting as a space to spot the charming creatures, gardens are also a brilliant place to build a butterfly and caterpillar haven.
Working with wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation on their Big Butterfly Count, which is sponsored by B&Q, Butterfly Conservation Vice-President Chris Packham explains exactly how you can cultivate your garden to attract the friendly insects.
Planting Colour
‘Butterflies will take nectar from a variety of colourful plant species for fuel’, explains Chris. ‘Examples of plants that can easily be planted in the garden to help include Red Valerian, which is great for nectar, fragrant Wild Majoram, and Buddleia, which is a popular choice amongst the perennial plants i.e. those that will stay live and leafy for a few years.’
Know your Nettles
‘When it comes to feeding their caterpillars, butterflies need a species of plant which may not be top of your planting list! To attract some of the brightest, biggest and boldest butterflies such as the Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock and Red Admiral, you’ll need to invest in a nettle patch. Even a small area of just few square metres in the garden would be beneficial for their conservation.’
Rough it Up
‘One widespread species of butterfly is the Meadow Brown, commonly found alongside another brown-coloured species, the Gatekeeper. Whilst common, many colonies of the Meadow Brown have been lost due to an increase in agriculture. To help cultivate this species, alongside the Gatekeeper, rough grassland is essential.
‘Consider leaving a small corner of your lawn uncut and plant Lady’s Smock, which is a food plant of the lovely Orange-tip butterfly. Lots of other species that live in our gardens actually feed on grasses, but won’t if they are mown, so it’s vital to let them grow so the leaves are long and lush if you’d like to attract more breeds.’
Seeking Shelter
‘Butterflies need shelter as well as food, and letting just a few square metres of your garden go rough can also help create a nesting area for our insect friends. You’ll notice when you look into your garden when it’s raining that you won’t see any butterflies. This is because many of them will snuggle up deep down in the vegetation and if there isn’t any available, they’ll be left out in the rain and won’t prosper.’
Family Fun
‘As well as creating the perfect haven for butterflies and insects alike, it’s important your garden suits you and your family’s needs too. For people with young children who like to run across the lawn, separate your rough patch with longer grass, nettles and brambles to create an area just for butterfly and caterpillar spotting.
‘The journey of a caterpillar to a butterfly is particularly fascinating, especially for children. By creating the ultimate butterfly friendly garden, you can help to seed an interest in natural history in your children, as well as having fun along the way.’
Making the Most of Minimal Space
‘If you have limited outdoor space to work with, don’t worry - you can still attract butterflies and other insects. All that’s needed is a few pots, with plants such as Geranium, Lavender, and Valerian in a window-box or on a balcony. If insects in the city are hungry, they will find these flowers day or night, with their remarkable sense of smell. By planting nectar producing plants in these pots on your balcony, this can make a valuable contribution to the ecology of your area with a lovely reward of spotting the various butterflies and other insects that visit.’
Chris Packham is leading the charge for the Big Butterfly Count, the world’s largest butterfly survey, from Butterfly Conservation and sponsored by B&Q. The count closes on 11 August, so head to big butterfly count for your free ID sheet and instructions on how to take part.
-ENDS-
NOTES TO EDITORS:
For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.
About B&Q
-
B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across over 40,000 products in 298 stores across the UK and on diy.com
-
Their team of more than 24,500 colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
-
Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities undertaking home improvement projects and raising money to fund Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit B&Q in the Community
-
B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,300 stores in 10 countries across Europe.
About Butterfly Conservation
-
Butterfly Conservation is the UK charity dedicated to saving butterflies, moths and our environment. Our research provides advice on how to conserve and restore habitats.
-
We run projects to protect more than 100 threatened species and we are involved in conserving hundreds of sites and reserves. www.butterfly-conservation.org @savebutterflies
-
For photos or interviews about butterflies or the Big Butterfly Count, please contact the Butterfly Conservation Press Office on 01929 406037 or email news@butterfly-conservation.org.
B&Q'S YOUNGEST SUPER-FAN CELEBRATES 5TH BIRTHDAY AT B&Q CHELTENHAM
On Sunday, aspiring young inventor, Thomas Nourse-Wright, celebrated his fifth birthday at his favourite place – B&Q Cheltenham. Thomas recently made headlines after a video detailing his plans for new spire for the Notre-Dame Cathedral took the internet by storm.
Monday 15th July 2019 – B&Q super-fan and aspiring inventor Thomas Nourse-Wright, celebrated his fifth birthday this Sunday with a VIP afternoon at B&Q Cheltenham. Thomas recently made headlines on BBC Gloucestershire by sharing his inspiring plans to give the Notre-Dame Cathedral a new spire, complete with a sprinkler system, following the devastating fire earlier this year. Taking to the camera to describe his plans, Thomas explained he likes to shop at B&Q to fill his toolbox, and expressed his fondness for the home improvement retailer.
After hearing the five year old’s affection for the store, colleagues at B&Q Cheltenham planned a number of in-store birthday surprises to make Thomas’s day extra special. Upon arrival, the budding young inventor was given his own iconic B&Q apron, and was shown round the store by the colleagues for a VIP tour. Thomas was also able to practice his skills by building his very own toolbox – a necessity for any young inventor! What’s more, to ensure Thomas’s birthday was his best yet, store colleagues decorated with plenty of balloons and surprised him with a cake and card – and surprised mum with a special 50th anniversary B&Q gift card to spend on the family home.
Julia Nourse-Wright, Thomas’s mother, commented: “B&Q is Thomas’s favourite place so he was absolutely ecstatic when B&Q Cheltenham invited us into store to celebrate his fifth birthday. Thomas has had the best afternoon meeting the lovely store colleagues who showed us round and he can’t wait to pick out some items for our home with the gift card! We know most boys Thomas’s age would prefer to spend their birthday playing football or video games as opposed to heading to B&Q, but we love that he has big plans to be an inventor and are so proud of his passion.”
Hayley Foy, Deputy Store Manager at B&Q Cheltenham commented: “This year it’s B&Q’s 50th anniversary – so it was lovely sharing our big birthday with Thomas’s 5th birthday! I think the colleagues enjoyed the visit as much as Thomas and his family did, and we’re so pleased he’s enjoyed all of his birthday surprises. Inspiring the next generation of home improvers is so important to B&Q, which is why we’re thrilled to have played a part in making Thomas’s birthday extra special. He is welcome anytime!”
ENDS
Notes for Editors:
For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.
ABOUT B&Q
- B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across 40,000 products in 300 stores across the UK and on diy.com
- Their team of more than 27,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
- Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing.
- B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,300 stores in 10 countries across Europe.
New GoodHome by B&Q store opens in Wallington
A new way of shopping for home improvement
23rd May 2019; Today the new GoodHome by B&Q store officially launched at 31 - 35 Stafford Road, Wallington offering a new simpler way of shopping for home improvement projects.
The store held a launch event to celebrate, with the first 50 customers through the doors from 7am being presented with a gift card worth up to £100. The newly appointed Mayor and Mayoress of Sutton, Councillor Muhammad Sadiq and Mrs Aasia Sadiq joined senior executives from B&Q and parent company Kingfisher to cut a ribbon and declare the store open.
As part of their induction, the colleagues at the new GoodHome by B&Q store partnered with London’s child poverty charity The Childhood Trust to renovate the bedrooms of local children in the Croydon area. The charity’s Decorate a Child’s Life programme completes home makeovers to help transform a child’s sense of dignity and well-being, providing a home to be proud of and a new sense of confidence.
The fresh, modern and local store offers much more than just home improvement products; it has a team of skilled colleagues offering expert help instore; an effortless digital shopping experience designed to make improving our homes easier; and inspiration and information to help plan home improvement projects. It will also have a dedicated counter for professional tradespeople.
Research commissioned by B&Q found that 66 per cent of people in Wallington and the surrounding area* planned to start a home improvement project in the next 6 months with painting a wall or skirting and replacing a light bulb being among the top projects. The research also found that 47 percent of home improvers in Wallington and the surrounding area* felt they needed more help and advice to realise their projects.
To celebrate, the new GoodHome by B&Q store will be hosting a launch event with gift cards worth up to £100 for the first 50 customers. Doors open at 7am on Thursday 23rd May, with an official ribbon cutting ceremony taking place at 2pm with local dignitaries. There will also be live music and a free goody bag with purchase (while stocks last).
GoodHome is a new international brand from Kingfisher. Understanding that home improvement can be complicated, expensive and frustrating, its mission is to simplify the customer experience, making home improvement accessible for everyone. The new brand will offer affordable improvement solutions, using innovative, sustainable, design - driven, great quality products. To differentiate the smaller sized store, the new concept in Wallington has been given a new name – GoodHome by B&Q - and offers a new home improvement shopping experience.
As a local home improvement store, GoodHome by B&Q will make home improvement shopping easier and more convenient by combining expert help and advice, with access to 6,000 products for the most frequent and urgent projects such as painting walls, fixing taps or installing new sockets. This core range of 6,000 products will also be available for same day delivery, with an extended range of over 20,000 products for bigger projects, available for next day Click and Collect in store or home delivery.
The new concept has been designed to give customers the experience they need from each visit. For those needing help and advice, experienced B&Q colleagues will be on hand in the specially created customer area to discuss projects over a free cup of coffee.
Customers looking for products for a quick fix home improvement project, such as a washer for a leaky tap, will find speedy digital browsers to order products there and then, and collect immediately in store.
Paint is at the heart of many home improvement projects and the new store offers a GoodHome paint mixing counter where customers can create bespoke colours on site, as well as pick up pre-mixed colours. A key cutting service is also available on site. Brands in store include; Erbauer, DeWalt, Makita, Site, Bosch, Stanley, MK, Wylex, Mapei, Blue Circle and Thistle.
The store offers extended opening hours for all customers from 7am to 8pm Monday - Friday, 7am - 6pm Saturday and 10am - 5pm Sunday. It also has a dedicated counter for trade customers, offering a convenient way to stock up on essential products ‘for the van’ as well as the option to access the wider range for next day collection with the help of specialist colleagues.
Alasdair Handley, Store Coach at GoodHome by B&Q commented: “We’re really excited to see the reaction to our new concept store. The way people shop has changed, and the new store has been designed to make it simpler for our customers to create a home they feel good about. We hope having expertise and support on their door step, and an effortless shopping experience, will make it easier for more people to take on those projects around the home they might have been putting off. We look forward to welcoming the people of Wallington to their new local home improvement store.”
Store stats:
- Gross footage: 5436 sqft (505 sqm)
- Sale area footage: 1615 sqft (150sqm)
- Total no. of products: 6,000
- Total no. of employees: 16
- Total no. of ordering points: 6 large ordering screens & 4 tablets
- Total number of car parking spaces: 7
ENDS
Notes for Editors:
*The research was conducted by OnePoll, surveying 115 respondents aged 25-74yrs, located within a ten minute drive of Wallington in April 2019.
For more information on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk
New GoodHome by B&Q store opens in Wallington
A new way of shopping for home improvement
14th May 2019; On 23rd May 2019, the new GoodHome by B&Q store will officially launch at 31 – 35 Stafford Road, Wallington offering a new simpler way of shopping for home improvement projects.
The fresh, modern and local store offers much more than just home improvement products; it has a team of skilled colleagues offering expert help instore; an effortless digital shopping experience designed to make improving our homes easier; and inspiration and information to help plan home improvement projects. It will also have a dedicated counter for professional tradespeople.
Research commissioned by B&Q found that 66 per cent of people in Wallington and the surrounding area* planned to start a home improvement project in the next 6 months with painting a wall or skirting and replacing a lightbulb being among the top projects. The research also found that 47 per cent of home improvers in Wallington and the surrounding area* felt they needed more help and advice to realise their projects.
To celebrate, the new GoodHome by B&Q store will be hosting a launch event with gift cards worth up to £100 for the first 50 customers. Doors open at 7am on Thursday 23rd May, with an official ribbon cutting ceremony taking place at 2pm with local dignitaries. There will also be live music and a free goody bag with purchase (while stocks last).
GoodHome is a new international brand from Kingfisher. Understanding that home improvement can be complicated, expensive and frustrating, its mission is to simplify the customer experience, making home improvement accessible for everyone. The new brand will offer affordable improvement solutions, using innovative, sustainable, design-driven, great quality products. To differentiate the smaller sized store, the new concept in Wallington has been given a new name – GoodHome by B&Q - and offers a new home improvement shopping experience.
As a local home improvement store, GoodHome by B&Q will make home improvement shopping easier and more convenient by combining expert help and advice, with access to 6,000 products for the most frequent and urgent projects such as painting walls, fixing taps or installing new sockets. This core range of 6,000 products will also be available for same day delivery, with an extended range of over 20,000 products for bigger projects, available for next day Click and Collect in store or home delivery.
The new concept has been designed to give customers the experience they need from each visit. For those needing help and advice, experienced B&Q colleagues will be on hand in the specially created customer area to discuss projects over a free cup of coffee.
Customers looking for products for a quick fix home improvement project, such as a washer for a leaky tap, will find speedy digital browsers to order products there and then, and collect immediately in store.
Paint is at the heart of many home improvement projects and the new store offers a GoodHome paint mixing counter where customers can create bespoke colours on site, as well as pick up pre-mixed colours. A key cutting service is also available on site. Brands in store include; Erbauer, DeWalt, Makita, Site, Bosch, Stanley, MK, Wylex, Mapei, Blue Circle and Thistle.
The store offers extended opening hours for all customers from 7am to 8pm Monday-Friday, 7am-6pm Saturday and 10am-5pm Sunday. It also has a dedicated counter for trade customers, offering a convenient way to stock up on essential products ‘for the van’ as well as the option to access the wider range for next day collection with the help of specialist colleagues.
Alasdair Handley, Store Coach at GoodHome by B&Q commented: “We’re really excited to see the reaction to our new concept store. The way people shop has changed, and the new store has been designed to make it simpler for our customers to create a home they feel good about. We hope having expertise and support on their door step, and an effortless shopping experience, will make it easier for more people to take on those projects around the home they might have been putting off. We look forward to welcoming the people of Wallington to their new local home improvement store.”
Store stats:
- Gross footage: 5436 sqft (505 sqm)
- Sale area footage: 1615 sqft (150sqm)
- Total no. of products: 6,000
- Total no. of employees: 16
- Total no. of ordering points: 6 large ordering screens & 4 tablets
- Total number of car parking spaces: 7
ENDS
Notes for Editors:
*The research was conducted by OnePoll, surveying 115 respondents aged 25-74yrs, located within a ten minute drive of Wallington in April 2019.
For more information on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk
GoodHome is a new, international brand from Kingfisher, the company that owns B&Q and Screwfix. It embodies our purpose, which is to create homes that people feel good about by making home improvement accessible for everyone. We’re no longer just a retailer, but a designer and developer, delivering unique, great quality, products and services. All products branded GoodHome are unique to Kingfisher and designed in-house. They are innovative, sustainable, design-driven, great quality, all at great prices. Our GoodHome by B&Q store offers a mix of GoodHome and other branded home improvement products and services appropriate to the size and location of the store.
FOUR SIMPLE TIPS TO CREATE YOUR VERY OWN BEE BIT STOP!
13th May 2019, London. Due to rapid urban development and other factors such as climate change, the UK’s bees are having to travel further and further between areas that are suitable for them to feed and rest, and safe spaces with suitable flowers are harder to come by. That’s why B&Q are encouraging the nation to plant one million individual ‘bee pit stops’ in outdoor spaces across the country. From pollinator flower beds, to a potted lavender on a balcony, a bee pit stop is a safe space for bees to rest and refuel, which Brits can easily create in their own outdoor space.
Matt Childs, designer of the RHS Hampton Court gold award-winning ‘B&Q Bursting Busy Lizzie Garden’, worked with B&Q this week to install a giant ‘B&Q Bee Pit Stop’, in London’s King’s Cross station, adorned with thousands of pollinating flowers to raise awareness of the steep decline in the UK’s bee-friendly habitats. Now he is sharing his top tips so everyone can create their very own bee pit stop at home:
1. The perfect plot- “You don’t have to have a large outside space to make the perfect resting point for passing bees. Choose an area that’s peaceful and away from the hustle and bustle of a busy home. South facing spaces with plenty of sunlight, surrounded by a variety of plants and colour offer a great starting point for your pit stop and will be sure to create a buzz. If you have a yard or balcony, choose a high south facing point to place your pollinators to make the perfect sign-post for passing bees!”
Shop the range:
- Nurgal Pink Railing Pot, £5
2. Diversity is key- “Planting a variety of pollen rich flowers will not only look wonderful in your garden but will make your pit stop irresistible to passing bees all year round. Combine mid-season pollinators such as Lavender, with early and late season varieties such as Hyacinth and Asters, so there’s always something in bloom to keep your garden’s bees happy.”
Shop the range:
- Lavender, 3 for £15
3. Grow organic - “Choosing organic fertilisers is a fool-proof way to make sure your pit stop is totally bee and wildlife friendly! Make simple swaps and exchange harsh, chemical fertilisers for organic alternatives to improve the health of your whole garden. Not only will your plants be blooming but choosing organic fertilisers is good for your garden’s bees too.”
Shop the range:
- Verve ‘Safe by Nature’ Plant Food Granules, £8.07, B&Q
- Verve ‘Safe by Nature’ Plant Food Liquid 1L, £4.12, B&Q
4. Create an ‘Air Bee&Bee’ – “A great way to get creative with your bee pit stop and get the whole family involved is to make a home for bee’s not only to pollinate flowers but to rest and lay their eggs. Positioned perfectly next to your pollinators, plant pots make an ideal base. Use bamboo canes to create tunnels inside your pot and fix these down with clay for extra stability. Fill any remaining gaps between your bamboo the pot with moss and leaves for added insulation and finally, wind twine or string around the circumference of your pot and hang one meter from the ground. This makes a perfect place for bees to retire to and seek shelter. Female bees might even leave nectar and pollen in the canes for their grubs to feed on.”
Shop the range:
- Gardman Bamboo Canes, £5.47, B&Q
- Verve Garden Ties, £2.93, B&Q
-ENDS-
For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693. ABOUT B&Q
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B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across 40,000 products in 300 stores across the UK and on diy.com
-
Their team of more than 27,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
-
Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing.
-
B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,200 stores in 10 countries across Europe.
THAT’S SO LAST SEASON! HOTTEST INTERIOR TRENDS PREDICTED FOR THE YEAR AHEAD
- **Blue paint shades, black flooring and geometric walls predicted to be most lust-worthy 2020 trends*
- B&Q’s 3 for 2 offers on paint, flooring and tiles make it easier to get the look for less
Monday 14th October 2019: Attention trend spotters! Today the most lust-worthy interior trends of 2020 have been revealed by B&Q; with hues of blue, moody black living room floors and metallic geometric walls all set to be big hitters. Drawing on DIY.com search data, top selling products and insight from in-house experts, the UK’s leading home improvement retailer has forecasted what will be hot in 2020 across paint, flooring and wallpaper.
Whether it’s small but impactful paint jobs or cheating your way to Insta-ready floors, these trends are easy to adopt and can be done in a day. Kirsty Mole, Category Manager for Décor at B&Q, shares her top tips on how to incorporate the five hottest interior looks of 2020 into your home. What’s more, updating your interiors ready for the turn of the decade is now even more affordable with B&Q offering 3 for 2 on paint, flooring and tiles from now until 3rd November.
- BLUE IS THE REIGNING HUE – Prevailing as the most searched for colour (behind shades of white and grey), it’s easy to see why blue is emerging as the coolest trend that will rule as the colour for 2020. Its depth and range makes blue one of the most versatile colours, giving the option to be brave with vibrant and rich tones, or soft and tranquil with lighter or muted shades. Its colour versatility is equalled by its usability, making it the perfect choice for many spaces. With blue predicted as a best-seller in 2020, Kirsty Mole shares inspiration and ideas for the most up to date ways to use different shades:
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“Match inky woodwork and walls – The devil is often in the detail when it comes to chic interiors, but by simply matching your woodwork to your wall you can create an effortlessly stylish look. Opt for smooth, powdery blue-grey shades such as GoodHome Antibes paint or muted teal for ultimate impact.”
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“Statement walls with a twist – Traditional ‘feature walls’ may have fallen out of fashion, but 2020 will see people breaking the boundaries with straight lines, angles and interesting shapes to give this old favourite a new, modern twist. Bright blue shades make for a great base colour, and then you can get playful with shapes to inject personality. For extra intrigue, intersect open shelving across feature walls.”
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LET THE SEASONS LEAD YOU – Search data shows that consumers get experimental with paint palettes at different times of year, with spring bringing a rise in searches for pink (26%) and yellow (9%) paint on diy.com vs. autumn and winter months. In preparation for brighter, sunnier days to come, Kirsty shares her top picks for using pink and yellow paint shades in your home in the 2020 way:
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“Taking pink past millennials - Pink is often shyed away from for the fear of it looking childish. If you’re scared of the brighter ‘millennial pink’ tones, go for a more sophisticated washed pink, such as GoodHome Kyoto paint, for an elegant and clean look.”
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“Inject a touch of sunshine - Traditionally the sunshine colour, yellow doesn’t just have to be for summer. Perfect for injecting cheer into any room, try mixing and matching yellow shades, such as GoodHome Andalusia paint and GoodHome Gran via paint, as the pigments complement one another.”
STRIKE OPULANCE WITH FLOORING – High impact yet affordable, easy to install flooring is predicted to be in vogue in 2020 with search terms combining ‘luxury’ and ‘flooring’ soaring on diy.com. Within this category, dramatic styles that demand attention and broadcast extravagance are set to dominate as an interior trend next year. Kirsty shares B&Q’s top flooring looks for the new decade:
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“Moody black slate takes centre stage – The popularity of using melodramatic black floor tiles is on the rise, but in quite an unexpected place – namely the living room. To get the moody look, try the GoodHome Jazy Slate Tile click flooring. The beauty of click-flooring is that it's affordable to buy and easy to use, making experimentation with different materials and laying techniques a doddle. Not only is it a quick and convenient way to achieve luxury floors that look more expensive than they are, these tiles are also harder wearing than laminate flooring. It’s easy to see why ‘luxury vinyl click flooring’ has becoming a regular feature in diy.com’s top 3 flooring search terms.
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“New generation wood flooring is even more stylish” – Traditional wooden flooring continues be a timeless classic with the oak colourway consistently featuring in B&Q’s top 20 flooring products. However, for those who don’t mind investing a little more time when it comes to installing high impact flooring, 2020 will give this stylish favourite a modern revamp with slim tiles laid in herringbone patterns. Lead the pack into the new decade with GoodHome Skara Natural Oak solid wood flooring, perfect when paired with chic, industrial inspired furniture.”
1. INTO A METALLIC DIMENSION – The geometric wallpaper trend shows no sign of slowing down in 2020, but search data indicates that it will take on a shiny new twist with shades of rose, silver and gold on the rise. With clever product quirks, Kirsty’s trend predications for the year ahead are set to be a hit with homeowners and renters alike:
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“Shiny new walls, made easier - Geometric prints give instant art deco glamour to bedrooms, living rooms and hallways. What’s more, we see this trend taking off even among renters as many styles come using ‘Paste the wall’ technology. This nifty product saves up to 30% of the time traditionally required to hang wallpaper, requires no pasting table and simply peels off when you fancy a change or are moving out”.
- END -
For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.
NOTES TO EDITORS
Featured products include: + GoodHome Walls & ceilings Antibes paint Silk Emulsion paint 2.5L, £12 + Valspar interior paint available from £12 + GoodHome Walls & ceilings Kyoto paint Matt Emulsion paint 2.5L, £12 + GoodHome Walls & ceilings Andalusia Matt Emulsion paint 2.5L, £12 + GoodHome Walls & ceilings Gran via Matt Emulsion paint 2.5L, £12 + GoodHome Jazy Slate Tile effect Luxury vinyl click flooring, 2.23m2 Pack, £49.06 + GoodHome Skara Natural Oak Solid wood flooring, 0.86m² Pack, £49.02 + Fine décor Apex Rose gold Geometric Metallic effect Wallpaper, £16 + GoodHome Ajuga Charcoal Art deco Rose gold metallic effect Wallpaper, £16
ABOUT B&Q + B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across 40,000 products in 300 stores across the UK and on diy.com + Their team of more than 27,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride. + Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing. + B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,200 stores in 10 countries across Europe.
5 OF THE HOTTEST OUTDOOR TRENDS YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS SUMMER
The UK is heating up just in time for the Summer and so are outdoor spaces, with research showing 1 in 10 Brits are now saying it’s the most important aspect of their home.
2019 sees the comeback of some garden and interior favourites, from the classic terracotta pot to timeless monochrome patterns. If you’re looking for a twist on a trusted technique, layering a variety of textures is sure to take outdoor spaces to a new level. For colour schemes, bright tones that pop will truly add style in any sized space, or opt for the rising star ‘ochre’, for a nature-inspired spin on the defining colour for the new generation.
B&Q’s Outdoor Market Manager, Christopher Ray, shares how to work these trends to keep ahead of the curb and on the way to a stylish outdoor space.
1. The rise of ochre – Ochre has been the hot colour in interiors this year and outdoors is no exception. Bringing a subtle pop of colour to outdoor spaces, the muted tone is a sophisticated spin on Gen Z Yellow, and its earthiness is perfectly suited to a space surrounded by nature. Incorporate this trend into your outdoor space to bring a splash of sunshine even on a cloudy day.
Shop the look:
- Cocoon Tassel Throw, B&Q, £17
- Rural Cocoon Fringe Cushion, B&Q, £7
- Rural Beige Fringed Hammock, B&Q, £39
- Blooma Cocoon Sauterne Twill Outdoor Rug , B&Q, £25
2. Monochrome mania – A classic is timeless, which explains why this black and white combination is still top of the exterior lust-list. A trend that has stood the test of time, monochrome is super simple to incorporate into spaces, no matter your design credentials. A great place to start are cushions and throws, or if you’re looking for something a little more daring, why not try upgrading seating to a stylish monochrome set.
Shop the look:
- Morillo Multicolour Metal Chair, £42, B&Q
- Denia Black & White Broken Line Cushion, £8, B&Q
- Denia Black & White Chevron Woven Cushion, £12, B&Q
- Denia Black & Off White Chevron Woven Cushion, £8, B&Q
3. Textures with a twist - With rattan being firmly back on radars, adding small touches of texture through accessories is a clever way of elevating outdoor spaces to look chic and modern. The maximalist look is in, so perfect the art of layering textures through knitted throws and tassled cushions or pairing outdoor rugs with your garden furniture. This will really build up your space adding more depth and a cosy feel.
Shop the look:
- Apolima Rattan Effect Armchair, £54, B&Q
- Mayotte Metal 6 Seater Dining Set, £600, B&Q
- Rural Grey Fluffy Throw, B&Q, £17
- Blooma Birch & Moonless rug, B&Q, £18
4. Bright colours for small spaces – Popping brights are a trend we’re seeing more and more of in outdoor spaces, but this year, they’re breaking the mould. To be right on trend this season, try this style out in smaller outdoor areas such as courtyards and balconies for an easy win which is sure to make an impact, no matter the square footage you’re working with.
Shop the Look:
- Nurgul Round Pink Pot, B&Q, £5
- Nurgul Rectangular Green Pot, B&Q, £14
- Saba Metal 2 Seater Bistro Set, B&Q, £60
5. Take back terracotta - You heard it here first, the humble terracotta pot is making a comeback to UK gardens this summer. A staple in our shed for years gone by, you’ll see these trusty pots popping up in gardens all over the UK this year. Why not use it as an opportunity to start a spot of gardening and surround yourself with some brand new plants for the summer months?
Shop the Look:
- Blooma Mango & Whisper Outdoor Rug B&Q, £18
- Rural Mango Plain Outdoor Cushion, B&Q, £7
- Laleh Round Terracotta Pot, B&Q, £2.50
- Denia Mango Throw, B&Q, £17
-ENDS-
NOTES TO EDITORS:
For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693. The research was conducted by OnePoll, surveying 2,000 UK garden owners in March 2019.
*Research of 2,000 people with gardens conducted by OnePoll on behalf of B&Q in April 2019
ABOUT B&Q
-
B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across 40,000 products in 300 stores across the UK and on diy.com
-
Their team of more than 27,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
-
Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing.
-
B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,200 stores in 10 countries across Europe.
HOW DIY AND B&Q HAS CHANGED IN 50 YEARS
5 MARCH 2019: 50 years ago today, Richard Block and David Quayle first opened the doors to their first store in Portswood, Southampton. The first B&Q (then called Block & Quayle) broke the mould of DIY shops, taking it from builders’ merchants and hardware stores, to a store that put everything under one roof. Now, half a decade on, the way B&Q’s customers live, shop and improve their homes has changed dramatically, and the brand is changing too, constantly seeking new ways to make home improvement projects simpler, more affordable, and accessible for everyone.
Before the store opened in a disused cinema in 1969, professional building supplies were hard to come by, and DIY was a hobby of the few. Block and Quayle wanted to bring value, longer opening hours and a broader product range to everyone.
According to architecture and design historian, broadcaster and writer, Tom Dyckhoff, the launch came at a crucial point in British modern history:
“The late 1960s saw an unprecedented rate of home building (over 425,000 in 1968), and the early 1970s saw the vast extension of mortgages for the first time. Both of these factors led to a massive expansion in home ownership.
“The following ‘do-it-yourself revolution’ of the 1970s gave young British homeowners a bold new sense of self-sufficiency – think The Good Life!”
At the same time, B&Q was growing across the South West in its own ‘do-it-yourself fashion’, with its headquarters taking shape as a 16ft caravan in the car park that the pair bought for £123.
Since then, B&Q’s customers’ homes have changed dramatically. Today, urbanisation has resulted in smaller housing and less outdoor space, whilst growing numbers of people now rent their homes.
Home improvement undoubtedly means something different to today’s generation than it did to the owners of yesterday, but it still remains as one of the UK population’s top spending priorities - 74% of UK households undertook home improvement of some kind in 2017 . To mark 50 years of B&Q, we take a look at the key products that played a part in the way the nation improves its homes.
Lawn and order – Lawnmowers
Keeping the lawn green and tidy has always been important to Brits, but lumbering a big, heavy, and hard-to-manoeuvre lawnmower around the garden, without getting tied up in the cord seemed impossible.
Now lawnmowers are lighter, more ergonomic, and battery powered – making it easier to tidy those hard to reach areas, allowing more time for you to enjoy your garden.
B&Q’s brand new innovative Erbauer 36v cordless lawnmower (priced at £398) takes the effort out of garden maintenance. Part of the new Erbauer cordless garden power tools range, it has one shared battery for all products, saving money and time and without the hassle of having to charge multiple tools.
The hole truth - Polyfilla
Before the days of Polyfilla, repairing any scores or gouges in plasterwork meant having to get a plasterer in to skim over the mess. While not the most glamorous of products, this often over-looked hero of home improvement means everyone can do it. Easy to mix, it plugs all of the unsightly cracks and holes, but can be sanded off when dried – easy peasy!
Let’s stick together – ‘Paste the wall’ wallpaper
One of the products that has most transformed in the last fifty years is the home improvement staple – wallpaper. Up until the 1970s, wallpaper had to be trimmed by hand, down both edges, rather than being conveniently available in a roll. Once cut, the job of pasting was equally difficult – messy to handle and a nightmare if you got some on the brightly printed design.
Now, the advent of ‘paste the wall’ wallpaper means the job is easier. When you want to remove, simply lift a corner at the base of the wall and peel upwards - no need for steaming or soaking.
Know How - Watch and learn
While expert advice can still be sourced from colleagues in store, there has also been a significant change in the way customers look for help and advice with home improvement projects. Over 60 per cent of people aged 18-29 watch a B&Q “How to do it” video on YouTube to help them when doing home improvement jobs, the highest percentage of any age group. B&Q has 293 ‘how to’ / inspirational videos on YouTube - the most popular videos are 'How to lay sheet vinyl flooring' which has nearly 5 million views, and ‘How to grow and harvest strawberries’, which has over 1.7million views.
Further help and advice is also available through B&Q Club, with regularly emails include a monthly gardening guide.
A great time for change
It’s been a great 50 years of change and there’s no doubt that customers and homes will continue to change in the next half decade, and B&Q is changing too, constantly seeking new ways to make home improvement projects simpler, more affordable, and accessible for everyone.
ENDS
50 YEARS OF HIGHLIGHTS FROM B&Q
B&Q in the 1960s
The first B&Q store opened in Portswood, Southampton, on 5th March 1969 by founders Block and Quayle.
B&Q in the 1970s
B&Q grew to meet customers’ demand for homes that reflected their groovy new tastes such as avocado bathroom suites and psychedelic patterns. The decade also saw the introduction of revolutionary new products such as power tools, sheet boarding and Formica.
B&Q in the 1980s
Everything grew in the 80s: hair, shoulder pads, B&Q’s product range and B&Q’s stores. B&Q bought Scottish DIY chain Dodge City and became part of the Kingfisher Group, then known as Pater Noster public.
1989 also saw B&Q blaze the trail for older workers when its Macclesfield store was staffed entirely with employees aged over 50 for trial period. The initiative produced 18 per cent higher profits with six times less staff turnover.
B&Q in the 1990s
As Cool Britannia was taking over the world, B&Q also embraced new opportunities further afield as it merged with France's leading DIY retailer, Castorama, to become the largest DIY retailer in Europe. Back at home, B&Q opened for business on Sundays, meaning that customers could crack on with their home improvements projects.
In 1995, B&Q was also a founding partner of the Forest Stewardship Council®, meaning the company was able to start checking that the forests were being managed responsibly. If wood is harvested as part of a carefully prepared management plan, biodiversity can be maintained and the forest protected for the long term.
B&Q in the 2000s
In 2001, B&Q launched www.diy.com so that customers could buy everything they needed for their home improvement project in just a few clicks.
With an increasing awareness of the need to protect our planet, it also developed a sustainability programme, to ensure the business operates with environmental responsibility at its core.
B&Q in the 2010s
The way customers shop, use their homes and live their lives are still evolving, and B&Q continues to bring customers brilliant solutions that are innovative and sustainable, such as easyGrow™ packaging. In 2018 the retailer was the first to remove all neonicotinoid pesticides from all of its flowering plants where they present the biggest risk of harm to bees.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.
ABOUT B&Q
-
B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across 40,000 products in 300 stores across the UK and on diy.com
-
Their team of more than 27,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
-
Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing.
-
B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,200 stores in 10 countries across Europe.
Families in Sheffield benefit from £1 million raised by B&Q for charity partner Shelter
- £1 million raised helps to fund Shelter and B&Q’s DIY Skills Adviser Service
- Local tradesperson, Denise Milnes, shares her experience working as a DIY Skills Adviser for Shelter, helping families living in poor housing conditions in Sheffield
22 February 2019 – A new DIY Skills Adviser service launched by B&Q and Shelter, has helped almost 900 people in Sheffield. The service which began in the city, before being launched nationwide, aims to help those in poor housing feel happier and safer in their homes. B&Q, which funds the service as Shelter’s national charity partner, confirmed that the retailer and its customers have raised £1million for the project over the last two years.
The partnership with homeless and housing charity Shelter is part of B&Q’s ongoing commitment to create good homes for everyone by making home improvement more accessible. The DIY Skills Adviser service helps those living in poor housing or settling into a new home after a period of homelessness, by teaching them practical home improvement skills that can help improve their environment.
Long-time Sheffield resident, Denise Milnes, is one of Shelter’s specialist DIY Skills Advisers. Having lived in the area for almost 40 years, Denise takes great pride in being able to give back to her local community.
Denise has been working with Shelter in Sheffield for three years. She previously worked as a self-employed trades person and is well placed to put her expertise, passion and experience into building her client’s confidence and equipping them with all the skills they need to create a happier, safer home for themselves and their families.
There are many reasons why people might need the DIY Skills Advisor service; they might not be keeping up with maintenance and are at risk of eviction; they may have been supported into their first permanent accommodation after a period of homelessness and can finally put their own stamp on a home – this might be painting a room, assembling flat pack furniture or fixing a lock; or their property might not cater for their needs and requires little adaptations. Many of Shelter clients have been through a very traumatic time and even the smallest of home improvement tasks can feel too daunting to undertake.
Denise explains: “I’m proud to have worked with Shelter Sheffield for the past three years as a DIY Skills Adviser. Being in my line of work has given me the skills which can help build the foundations for a good home –the difference some wallpaper , a bit of paint and some soft furnishings can make to someone’s home should never be underestimated.”
“Through Shelter and with the support of B&Q, I’m able to teach these skills to a number of people who, due to circumstance, have never had the opportunity to pick up a drill or a paintbrush before. Having lived in Sheffield for almost 40 years, it’s incredible to be able to give back to the local community. I love helping my clients create good homes and there’s nothing better than watching them put the finishing touches to their project, stepping back and hearing them say ‘I did that’.”
“Recently, we worked with a local family who had just moved from overcrowded accommodation into a bigger home. We helped decorate a nine-year old boy’s room. He has previously been sharing a room with his Mum and younger Sister and had never had his own room before. He chose his own wallpaper and paint from B&Q, and his mum and I decorated his room together. His Mum told me he loved it!”
A representative from Shelter added: “Through the DIY Skills Adviser service, we see first-hand how simple, practical improvements really can make a huge difference to where someone lives. It’s through the important work that people like Denise do and support from B&Q that we’re able to equip people with essential home improvement skills, meaning our families can create the foundations of a home to build a future on.”
Dean Castle, Deputy Manager at B&Q Queens Road said “We’d like to thank all of B&Q’s customers and colleagues for helping us raise £1 million for Shelter. At B&Q, we believe that home improvement should be accessible for everyone, and this ongoing partnership with Shelter allows us to support individuals and families in creating good homes.”
Sheffield was the first region to benefit from the DIY Skills Adviser service. As a result of the success of the service, and the partnership with B&Q, the service is now available in six cities: Bristol, Birmingham, Liverpool, London, Manchester and Sheffield.
-ENDS-
NOTES TO EDITORS:
For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.
ABOUT B&Q
- B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across 40,000 products in 300 stores across the UK and on diy.com
- Their team of more than 27,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
- Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing.
- B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,200 stores in 10 countries across Europe.
About Shelter: Shelter helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through our advice, support and legal services. We campaign to make sure that, one day, no one will have to turn to us for help. For free and independent advice from Shelter visit: https://england.shelter.org.uk/get_help