B&Q closing stores

[Jonno]

They are cutting 'floor space' by 15% across the UK in the next year or so.

Their customer and marketing director Chris Moss has had his P45 too.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

One that surprises me more is Homebase. I tend only to go to a shed midweek - so don't see them at busy times. But Homebase seem to have more staff than customers when I do. Wicks, however, always seems busy enough.

[Tricky Dicky]

There was an announcement that they were closing a number of stores in NI b ut were planning to open more Screwfix stores, that might not be a bad exch ange if they do that in the rest of the UK. IMHO only the warehouse stores are any use it can be rather variable what they stock in the smaller stores , unfortunetly the nearest one to me is on the wrong side of Leeds. Only us e B&Q in desperation these days, quality of stock has dropped while prices have risen.

Richard

[BobH]

Yes, same here. The warehouse depot is also the wrong side of Leeds to me and only go if I just want to look at something There website is the worst one ever for a big company selling stuff, as you cannot find what you are looking for.

[Mr Pounder Esquire]

The store re-opened as The Range. We bought a self adhesive door coat hanger from Homebase years ago. It was dead good As we have four new interior doors we needed four new self adhesive door hangers. The ones from the local DIY store just fell off. We went to The Range and the identical to Homebase self adhesive hangers were on display in I think the same rack @?2.99 each. I was not happy, but they have yet to fall off the doors. Same product, same price ......... Yip, the place was more or less empty.

[harry]

Our local Homebase now has an Argos store inside it.

[Andrew Gabriel]

A Homebase I would sometimes visit (it was a nice walking distance if the weather was good) never had a busy time. I failed to understand why it didn't close 10+ years ago. It still had red+black mains cable in stock long after the colours changed. I bought some light fittings and bulbs from there over the years, and a couple of Venus Flytraps.

It has gone now though. Became a B&M.

[charles]

Not surprising since they have the same parent company

[rick]

agree there - toss web site

[rick]

The thing is - it is the retired generation who want the gardening & decorating items .......... the middle aged generation now are probably the last B&Q core customer base who will do d-i-y, will take on projects.

The generation currently in their 20's simply don't want hands on .... will pay someone to do the work. Not interested in acquiring any practical skills - see it as waste of leisure time.

I did all my own work on my first 5 cars ... servicing, body work, repairs ...... my boy took his car to main dealers to pay them to change a light bulb ! simply do interest in doing anything himself.

[Tim Watts]

How does he enjoy his leisure time when he has no money 'cos he have it to the main dealer[1].

[1] Yes, sometimes I go to the main dealer. And sometimes to the local place. It depends on how much I trust the local place with a specialist job. Bushes, discs, brakes, tyres and the like all go to the local bloke.

[harry]

Cars are a lot more complex these days. 'Specially the engine management.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

And also a lot more reliable. But no reason why you can't do routine servicing etc yourself.

The above is simply an excuse for not getting your hands dirty.