Forum Topic

B&Q

I hear it's reopening.

Susan Kelly ● 2387d32 Comments

An hours queue to get on their website

Susan Jacques ● 2387d

Please see front page again. The Chiswick store is re-opening.

Cecile Parfitt ● 2387d

So do companies jus announce when they are reopening? Similarly one of the large building companies has announced that they are reopening their sites on May 5th.

Stewart Jones ● 2387d

A National builders merchant I do work for has reopened most of their branches and will now deliver to any siteTo be fair their staff have really had social distancing drilled in to them

Paul Fisher ● 2387d

I can see how if a company is just delivering how that would work. But how can a company just declare that it is opening as a retail outlet without the nod from the government. What’s to stop Robert Dyas declaring that it’s going to open with suitable social distancing in place? Is the lockdown over for some and not for others?

Stewart Jones ● 2387d

I don't think they were required to close, i believe they just chose to. Just like they are choosing to re-open. Some of their comp — screwfix etc stayed open as building supplies etc are deemed an essential (or whatever) sector. 

Rob Reynolds ● 2387d

Hardware shops and plant hire were always on the Essential list so B&Q are not doing anything wrong reopening.  The government's list of essential shops is here:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close-guidance

Rebecca Singer ● 2386d

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/350/schedule/2/madePart 3 lists the businesses that are not required to close, including Homeware, building supplies and hardware stores.

Robin Cox ● 2386d

Thanks for that. Obviously, they now view it as safer to reopen fully. I’d be interested to know what has informed their decision but I’ll pursue that elsewhere . Thanks for the information.

Stewart Jones ● 2386d

Builders Merchants though were instructed that deliveries could only be made to critical/essential sites such as hospitals/prisons and social housing maintenance etc hence why the majority closed but this has now been completely relaxed

Paul Fisher ● 2386d

Has anyone ventured down to B&Q? I'm wanting trays of lobelia and impatiens plus a filled handing basket, and maybe some compost.

Jill Merrett ● 2386d

I need some weedkiller so would also like to know what it's like down there.

Susan Kelly ● 2386d

Susan, I know that Sainsbury's has got weedkiller.

Jill Merrett ● 2386d

Thanks, Jill.

Susan Kelly ● 2386d

Wheelers are delivering a range of bedding plants and compost. Mine arrived this week..

Stewart Jones ● 2386d

Went yesterday (needed a part to fix leaky loo). Around 20 mins (in the sun) to enter. All the usual stuff in stock. The garden centre less so. Maybe 5% of what you'd normally expect to see. None of your usual hanging basket kit.

Gordon McDonald ● 2384d

It is totally irresponsible of B&Q to be open and encourage people to buy non essential items. They should be boycotted!!The scientific advice and government instruction is clear.STAY HOMEPROTECT THE NHSSAVE LIVES

Steve Taylor ● 2384d

Went this morning, same process as supermarkets with people patiently queuing to get in. There currently have no compost, soil or bedding plants but are well stocked with non gardening stuff.

Jim Brown ● 2383d

STAY HOME AND DECORATE, OR GARDENPROTECT THE NHSSAVE LIVES

Jeffrey Cope ● 2383d

DECORATE, OR GARDEN only if you already have all the equipment you need and don't have to go out and buy it and risk contracting and spreading the deadly disease and put more pressure on our overwhelmed NHS purely for your own self gratification.

Steve Taylor ● 2383d

B&Q are I believe classified as a hardware shop and therefore included in the list of essential shops.

Bob Guyett ● 2383d

Too many loopholes in what's considered 'essential' and thus the risk of spreading this dreadful virus. Since when has Ice Cream been an 'essential' food item ? Long non socially distanced queues this afternoon from the photo I was sent !

Loraine Pemberton ● 2383d

Ah Steve,I trust there is no bitterness in your reply. My point was that by investing a short time visiting what is an approved establishment (like others that supply food etc.,) it will result in people occupying their time productively and thereby distract them from spending time in contact with the general populace. Surely that's a win/win situation? It's nothing to do with self gratification (apart from a nice home). The products that B&Q sell actively encourage purchasers in DIY and by doing so do not put pressure on our overwhelmed NHS who are an "external" agency.

Jeffrey Cope ● 2383d

Sorry, has this debate moved on from B&Q to ice cream? Please illucidate on the "long queues".

Jeffrey Cope ● 2383d

"hardware shop and therefore included in the list of essential shops.Any idea why a hardware shop would be classified as 'essential' ?

Steve Taylor ● 2383d

"it will result in people occupying their time productively and thereby distract them from spending time in contact with the general populace."Mmmm.... Yes you make a valid point. My main reservation is simply that every time we go into a store and risk contact with others, we risk the increase of spreading the virus. .Toolstation and Screwfix  have a good system where you queue outside and staff find your item for you and bring it out to you.  i.e. you can't walk around browsing. If it is an essential item you will know what you want so the risk is minimised substantially.

Steve Taylor ● 2383d

Absolutely no idea. And you?

Jeffrey Cope ● 2383d

No. It really doesn’t make sense.

Steve Taylor ● 2383d

I went on Friday, queuing system very orderly, less than 15 minutes for me, and they were using the trolleys to gauge people entering the store, when trolley returned next customer could go in.  There were arrows on the floor indicating which way should walk and the checkout area was arranged so that any q would not impact on customers looking.  As has been said the gardening area only had a limited selection of plants but still managed to get the pots I was after.

Carol Burge ● 2383d

Thank you Carol. Sounds very civilised. Will avail myself of the facilities shortly.

Jeffrey Cope ● 2381d

I was there today. Thought I would avoid queues by not going at the weekend. There was still quite a long line but I don't think I waited more than 15 minutes. Once inside it is well organised with PPE protected staff and a one way system.

Dan Evans ● 2375d

Or order through Amazon?

Claire Moran ● 2375d