B&Q

[nolovelost]

How on earth are they able to reopen? The government haven't said that shops can open!

[Stabbitha]

They are a hardware store. They were never ordered to close.

[Puddlesplasher]

Yep, hardware stores never had to close.

[MargotB7]

It will help people's mental health if they have DIY/gardening to do.

[nolovelost]

Oh yes I remember that now. Ours has reopened, they must have decided to close anyway.

[pocketem]

Many are re-opening but closing off the "non-essential aisles" whichever they are. They say they are opening only to supply essential items for home maintenance. Won't be selling BBQs etc

[swapsicles]

The thinking was that things in the home break or may need parts and so it's essential for those reasons, mainly plumbers/electricians but think many going there are just taking advantage.
Same as b and m, always a huge queue to get in and I highly doubt its only for essentials!

[Laniakea]

They only closed originally to placate the baying mob!

[Toomanycats99]

B and q have definitely relaxed the rules - i got paint on click and collect this weekend which I could not do before.

Maybe they figured they were losing too much money to the competition!

[RingtheBells]

I bought 2 non essential large pink flowerpots yesterday, being delivered tomorrow, I couldn't get them a couple of weeks ago though when I tried.

Wilko sells plant pots so why shouldn't B&Q, I imagine they thought that as well

[BakedCam]

My understanding was that B & Q ran a trial on 14 stores to measure how social distancing would work. Because the stores are warehouses, social distancing would be able to be managed as per the guidelines.

[PumpkinP]

I’ve seen people buying hot tubs and egg chairs in b&m, where as b&q have been way more strict and I couldn’t even get a broom or plunger on there as they must not be essential, yet hot tubs are. so depends on the shop but b&q was never told to close they made that decision.

[PinkJam]

It’s the right business decision and will help to protect their employees jobs.

[BakedCam]

I agree Pinkjam. I think it is a good step forward.

[Haffiana]

If the manufacturers of hot tubs can be helped to keep jobs for their workers then that is incredibly valuable for our economy.