B&Q announce plans to expand throughout UK

DIY retail superstore B&Q is to open over 170 new warehouses in a move that could create 4,000 new jobs throughout the UK over the next five years.

The news was announced after B&Q’s parent company, Kingfisher, recently revealed a 12 per cent increase in sales thanks to low interest rates and the current craze for home improvements due to programmes such as Changing Rooms.

Over the next nine months, 18 new B&Q Warehouses and four smaller B&Q Supercentres are planned for locations throughout the UK, including Plymouth, Kidderminster and Hull, with greater expansion planned before the end of 2002.

Setting an estimate of 6 per cent growth in the DIY market over the coming year, B&Q Managing Director, Ian Morris described any downturn in the housing market as good for business as it would see homeowners becoming “cautious” and therefore continuing to invest in their existing property rather than in making a move. “The DIY market is continuing to grow,” he added, “and our growth is outstripping that.”

It is thought that the retain giant has already created 3,000 jobs this year during continued expansion in places such as Dundee and Glasgow.

DIY superstore B&Q chain is to create around 370 jobs in the province with the opening of two new retail warehouses in Craigavon and Newtownabbey.

Recruitment is already underway for the Craigavon branch, which will be situated in the Craigavon Shopping Centre, and the Newtownabbey outlet, which is to be located near the Valley Leisure Centre. (CL)