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In the UK please contact the press office at Freuds on 020 3003 6633 or email B&Qpressoffice@freuds.com. Please note, these contact details are for media enquiries only.

For all customer or non- media related issues please contact customer services on 0333 014 3098 or use the Contact Us page.

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Below are the most recent press releases from B&Q. For any queries please contact the press office at Freuds on 020 3003 6633 or email B&Qpressoffice@freuds.com.


• 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
b&q christmas rudolph red nosed lorryb&q christmas rudolph red nosed lorryb&q christmas rudolph red nosed lorryb&q christmas rudolph red nosed lorry

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:

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.

 

  1. 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:

 

  1. 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:

 

  1. 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!

 

  1. 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:

 

  1. 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.

 

  1. 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:


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;

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:

  1. Pot in a sunny spot in free-draining, peat-free compost, whether that’s in a pot or border.
  2. Plant on the surface of the compost
  3. 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
  4. If you want to feed it, tomato fertilizer works well
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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

  1. Maximising the use of space
  2. Optimising outdoor life
  3. Socialising at home
  4. Rise of smart homes
  5. 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.


B&Q logo

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.


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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


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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 in300stores across the UKand ondiy.com.

Their team of more than27,000(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 visithttps://www.diy.com/corporate/community   

B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,400 stores in8countries 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.



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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.comThis 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.

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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

  1. Cried
  2. Read a book
  3. Had sex
  4. Just hid out to avoid people
  5. Tried on new clothes/shoes
  6. Phoned friends/loved ones
  7. Washed the dog
  8. Fallen asleep in the bath
  9. Had a cup of tea
  10. Hung the washing to dry
  11. Sang in the mirror
  12. Given yourself a pep talk
  13. Played online games
  14. Painted your toenails
  15. Answered work emails
  16. Streamed a TV show in the bath
  17. Planned the weekly food shop
  18. Played video games
  19. Written to-do lists
  20. Watched the news
  21. Played games while sat on the toilet (like throwing a toilet roll into a bin)
  22. Taken or edited photos
  23. Fantasied about a scenario in the mirror
  24. Had a dance
  25. Had a beer
  26. Streamed a TV show on the loo
  27. Exercised
  28. Practiced a speech
  29. Had a sleep on the floor
  30. Stood on the side of the bath or toilet to see your whole outfit/shoes
  31. Had a business idea
  32. Answered the phone to your boss
  33. Fallen asleep on the loo
  34. Done some washing up
  35. Re-enacted a part of your day in the mirror
  36. Sent a message on a dating app
  37. Given houseplants a ‘spa day’
  38. Taken a video call on the loo
  39. Taken a video call in the bath
  40. 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


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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. 


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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.

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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:

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.


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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


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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:

  1. Garden
  2. Living Room
  3. Kitchen
  4. Bedroom
  5. Bathroom

Top DIY jobs that have been completed over the past 12 months

  1. Garden maintenance e.g. weeding and planting
  2. Painted internal walls
  3. Filled in holes
  4. Put up curtains/blinds
  5. Painted skirting boards
  6. Built flat pack furniture
  7. Exterior decorating e.g. painted fence
  8. Put up shelving
  9. 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 outletsB&Q and Speedy trial new outletsB&Q and Speedy trial new outletsB&Q and Speedy trial new outlets

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:

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


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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.

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Uncommon

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.

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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.

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B&Q PLEDGES £100,000 OF ITS APPRENTICESHIP LEVY FUND TO HELP SMALL AND MEDIUM BUSINESSES IN THE SOLENT AREA

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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;


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HOW TO UPDATE YOUR KITCHEN WITH PATTERNED TILES

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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:

- 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.

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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
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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.

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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.

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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.

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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:

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


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B&Q ANNOUNCES 123 NEW GRADUATES IN FIRST WAVE OF APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME

 

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  • 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


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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.


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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.

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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.

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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.

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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:

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


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LIGHT IT UP THIS JANUARY GREAT SAVINGS ACROSS ALL INDOOR LIGHTING AT B&Q

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  • 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

  • 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




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B&Q NAMED THE CHEAPEST PLACE TO BUY A KITCHEN FOR THIRD YEAR RUNNING

  • 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.


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DECK THE HALLS WITH INCREDIBLE SAVINGS ON B&Q’S CHRTISTMAS RANGE

 

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  • 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.


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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:

  1. Hundreds of presents underneath the tree (54%)
  2. Chocolate for breakfast (53%)
  3. Snow on Christmas day (52%)
  4. Playing with toys all day (51%)
  5. Spending time with family (44%)
  6. A packed stocking (44%)
  7. Staying in pyjamas all day (42%)
  8. Christmas lights all over the house (41%)
  9. Presents every hour (40%)
  10. A visit from Father Christmas (39%)
  11. A gigantic Christmas tree with lots of baubles (37%)
  12. 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.

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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
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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/

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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:

  1. Buying Christmas presents (43%)
  2. Cleaning the bathroom (31%)
  3. Hanging a wreath (24%)
  4. Freshening up walls with a new coat of paint (22%)
  5. Buying new Christmas decorations (22%)
  6. Cleaning the window (24%)
  7. Buying a Christmas tree (18%)
  8. Buying Christmas decorations (18%)
  9. Replacing light fixtures (13%)
  10. Replacing light bulbs (13%)
  11. Installing extra storage (12%)
  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.

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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:

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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


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HIGH QUALITY DESIGN AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE - B&Q LAUNCHES STUNNING NEW KITCHEN RANGE

  • The new collection includes 26 kitchen door ranges in nine different styles and comes with a 25 year guarantee

  • 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:

  • 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.

  • The artemisia kitchen – a midnight blue classic shaker style in a beautiful matt finish.

  • 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.

  • 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 pebrebudu 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

  • 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.


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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.

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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:

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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:

-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



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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."

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

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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:

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


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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.

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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:

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


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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.

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Products featured include:

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


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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:

  1. Painting a wall or ceiling (50 per cent)
  2. Painting a skirting board (29 per cent)
  3. Painting the fence (26 per cent)
  4. Resealing the bath or shower (24 per cent)
  5. Putting up shelves (21 per cent)
  6. Wallpapering (19 per cent)
  7. Painting the shed (18 per cent)
  8. Laying new flooring (17 per cent)
  9. Upcycling furniture (16 per cent)
  10. Painting the front door (14 per cent)

7 paint projects people could do in a day this bank holiday weekend:

  1. Paint a front door
  2. Paint a statement ceiling
  3. Paint a wall
  4. Paint a zone area or feature wall
  5. Paint a wooden window frame
  6. Paint a shed
  7. 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.

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Planting for Butterflies

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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.


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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.

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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


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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.


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FOUR SIMPLE TIPS TO CREATE YOUR VERY OWN BEE BIT STOP!

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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!”

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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.”

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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.”

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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.”

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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

  • 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.




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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.


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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
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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