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B&Q stores reopen enforcing social distancing rules
B&Q today announced all 288 of its stores would reopenbut with "strict social distancing measures in place".The firm closed down when the UK lockdown was first announced five weeks ago, but has since decided to reopen once again. The firm has been inundated with online shoppers - and is warning of long queues as shops reopen.
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What time is your local B&Q open?
B&Q shops will be open to customers from 8am until 5pm every day.
However, opening times and operating hours may vary from store to store
Shoppers are advised to use theonline store finder toolto check the most up-to-date opening times for their local area.
Not all sections of the hardware firm is open, however.
B&Q opening hours: What time is your local store open? (Image: GETTY)
B&Q opening hours: The online shop has been inundated with shoppers (Image: GETTY)
Theretailer has temporarily stopped some services, including kitchen and bathroom design, paint mixing, timber cutting and key cutting.
A B&Q spokesperson said: “As an essential retailer, we’ve watched other essential retailers support social distancing in their stores and are now in a position to follow best practice and reopen a small number of our stores as a trial, while keeping our colleagues and customers safe.
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“We’re strictly limiting the number of customers in store at any one time, and so customers may need to queue before entering the store."
Strict safety measures have been put in place as the stores reopen to protect both staff and customers.
This includes perspex screens at checkouts and two-metre marking distances across shop floors.
Customers are having toqueue to get into stores, and shoppers have been warned they may face a long wait.
B&Q has limited the number of shoppers allowed in at one time, withshopping parties limited to a maximum of two people so they can self-serve larger items.
Sanitiser stations for trolleys have also been installed and stores will only accept card and contactless payments.
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B&Q opening hours: Social distancing measures are being implemented (Image: GETTY)
Graham Bell, B&Q CEO, said: “Our highest priority is to keep our colleagues safe at work and our customers safe while shopping.
“In all our stores, we have strict social distancing measures in place.
“Customers are adhering to these, helping us to offer a shopping environment that is safe for everyone, while we help them to look after their homes and gardens, as well as their wellbeing.
“Whether shopping in our stores or online, we continue to ask all our customers to follow the Government’s social distancing guidelines and to shop responsibly only when they need to.”
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B&Q opening hours: B&Q closed all shops on March 25 (Image: GETTY)
When did B&Q reopen?
B&Q closed all shops on March 25, operating an online-only service when lockdown began.
However, the website was inundated with online shoppers hoping to spruce up their home.
The firm then decided to reopen a small number of shops, starting with 14 storeswhich opened to the public on April 14.
Another 61 branches opened on April 22, followed by another80 on April 23and130 shops on April 29.
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Why is B&Q allowed to reopen?
Some shoppers may be concerned the retail giant has been allowed to reopen despite lockdown being ongoing.
However, this is because the firm technically did not have to close its doors in the first place.
DIY stores were designated as 'essential' shops on the Government list - meaning they did not need to shut up shop.
However, not everyone has been impressed with the store reopening. One woman - a nurse - told HullLive she was left horrified after witnessing coughing customers in a crowded aisle.
She had done in to the Ferry Lane store to buy a paintbursh but left with nothing. She said: “The queue outside was fine and everyone was staying two metres apart.
“They seemed to be letting people into the store in an orderly fashion but once inside it became a free-for-all. There were 15 people down one aisle. People were coughing on to products and others were coughing into their hands and then touching items.
“I wanted to buy a paint brush but someone coughed on them so that was that.
“I don’t understand what these people were doing out if they were displaying anything that might be a symptom. It only takes one person to affect a number of others.
“I’m not a germophobe. I’m a nurse and deal with all sorts but it was ridiculous. There were no staff policing the aisles and no social distancing inside until you got to the tills.”
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