Find out what MNers think of the new Bunnings home improvement store + check out a handy video of painting tips1 NOW CLOSED

[EmmaMumsnet]

We sent 10 Mumsnetters and their families to the Grand Opening of the new Bunnings home improvement store in Harlow on 4th November. Each of them were given a £20 Bunnings voucher to spend in store. Thanks so much for going, we hope you and your family enjoyed it!

Attendees please answer the questions below:

• Why did you want to visit Bunnings in Harlow?
  
• What did you enjoy about it?
  
• Did it inspire you? If yes, in what ways?
  
• What did you spend your £20 on? Please share a photo of your purchase(s)
  
• Do you think you’d return to the new Bunnings store when you are after home improvement or gardening products?
  
• How would you describe the store to someone who had never been?
  

We also asked Mumsnetters what DIY tasks they’d like to complete before Christmas and any advice they would like for doing them. Painting was the most popular task you folks would like to get done in time for Christmas so Bunnings have created this video with helpful tips and tricks for getting it done:



All 10 event attendees who leave their feedback on the thread will be entered into a prize draw to win a £100 voucher of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

[jewels3000]

I wanted to visit Bunnings as I had heard about the chain and was interested in what was on offer compared to other similar chains.
The opening was a great event for children with lots going on and treats on offer down selected aisles. I particularly found the cafe and children's play area a great idea and very welcoming. More stores should take note!
There was a great selection of products and i was particularly impressed with the friendly and helpful staff. I was inspired by the gardening range.
I would definitely return and would be happy to bring my child along as they can also enjoy the experience.
With my voucher i purchased a poppy bird feeder, 2 artificial succulents and a toy box.
For someone that had never been i would say this is a perfect store if you are looking to do any home improvements or gardening. There was also an extensive Christmas section as well as the mentioned cafe and play area.

[BunningsOpening]

Changed my username because I run into a few lovely mumsnet users who were also picking up there vouchers -hi ladies-

Wow, what a fab afternoon we had. I went with my toddler, OH and father, and we were very impressed.

• Why did you want to visit Bunnings in Harlow?

Because we are mid decorating our new build house, and wanted to see other options

• What did you enjoy about it?

It had a very friendly atmosphere, staff were very friendly and willing to help.

My son loved the pepper pig and magician show (and the free sweets and candy floss were a firm fav!)

Outside the store there is a board which shows staff who are experts in certain areas E.G.: paint specialist, power tolls etc etc which is a nice touch

• Did it inspire you? If yes, in what ways?

Yes because it does have a different selection to what I'm used too, I mainly visit Bnq as it's my local diy store

• What did you spend your £20 on? Please share a photo of your purchase(s)

I let my son spend it, he picked a wheel for his outside playhouse, and 2 Christmas doormats

• Do you think you’d return to the new Bunnings store when you are after home improvement or gardening products?

Yes defiantly, it was very busy so we're unable to properly look around or use the cafe and softplay equipment, so will defiantly return with my son in tow for a proper shop, coffee and a play :)

• How would you describe the store to someone who had never been?

It feels like an American hardware store, large selection with lots of extras.

Thank you bunnings for the lovely afternoon x

[DeliciouslyHella]

We visited Bunnings in Harlow on Saturday 4th Nov as a family of 4 - myself, DH, DD1 (aged 2) and DD2 (aged 4 months).

• Why did you want to visit Bunnings in Harlow?

We lived in Harlow for a time and still visit the area regularly. We are currently decorating DD2’s Nursery and desperately trying to tackle the garden.

• What did you enjoy about it?

DD1 loved the entertainment. The balloon modelling, Peppa Pig and Dulux dog were all highlights for her! I found the staff really approachable and friendly - they offered good advice about the products and seemed knowledgeable.

• Did it inspire you? If yes, in what ways?

Yes. There were lots of lovely things for the garden - I could’ve easily spent lots of money.

• What did you spend your £20 on? Please share a photo of your purchase(s)

We bought gardening gloves so we can tackle the garden together, and some decorating essentials to help with DD2’s Nursery.

• Do you think you’d return to the new Bunnings store when you are after home improvement or gardening products?

I would. The atmosphere was nice and the playground was a real added bonus. Anything that keeps the toddler happy keeps me happy.

• How would you describe the store to someone who had never been?

As another poster said, it’s very large but easy to navigate. It’s well stocked and staffed.

[foxessocks]

Thank you so much for the opportunity to go to this and for my £20 voucher, we had a really enjoyable afternoon, it kept my kids busy and we had a good look round the new store too!

• Why did you want to visit Bunnings in Harlow? I'd never heard of the shop before so wanted to see what it was like, we don't live too far so thought I'd give it a go!
  
• What did you enjoy about it?
  

There is a children's indoor playground which is FAB! Right next to the cafe so absolutely perfect. The shop had really good Christmas stock which was fun to look around. My daughter watched a peppa pig story time session which she loved. She also did some colouring.

• Did it inspire you? If yes, in what ways? The Christmas aisle certainly did as it gave us lots of ideas for decorating the house and the tree, we were looking for new baubles but couldn't agree on a colour scheme! Too much choice!
  
• What did you spend your £20 on? Please share a photo of your purchase(s) We bought a snowman with extendable legs and a giant father Christmas (I have attached pic of snowman but the father christmas is currently with my daughter who is asleep!)
  
• Do you think you’d return to the new Bunnings store when you are after home improvement or gardening products? We might do, I think there is another one a bit closer to us that we'd probably go to instead, the children's play area is a massive incentive for me to go there as something else for the kids to do when they get fed up looking around.
  
• How would you describe the store to someone who had never been? The style I thought was similar to B&Q and we didn't think the prices were much cheaper actually so I'd say like a B&Q but with a kid's play area!

[rangel67]

My partner and I went to Bunnings, Harlow on Saturday 4th November. Car park was huge,baby friendly trolleys were avaible, we were given an extensive map upon entering, and a bundle of freebies when presenting ourselves at customer services, also a leaflet about the event, with a coupon attached to get a key cut for free, a service available in-store, while you shop. Bunnings is very similar to B&Q, but friendlier, more staff, and family orientated, with a small coffee shop adjacent to a small enclosed play area. As it was a family event day, there were sweet bags, balloon modelling, candy floss, popcorn and face painting, all free. A magician was doing impromptu tricks around the store, before he took to the stage, for a show, before Peppa and George Pig arrived (We left before they got there). We met the Dulux dog as well. Wasn't looking for anything in particular, but I love shopping, window or real.We did get a children's real tool set, and some Christmas decorations, I bought a Bunnings toy lorry for my grandson as well. Also there are quite a few shops in the surrounding area that I like.
I'd love to go back to explore, at different times of the year, for plants, decorating supplies etc. But even though my partner works in Harlow, we live in Greenwich, so it's too far away really.

[champagnesupernovanova]

Why did you want to visit Bunnings in Harlow?
My folks have got a branch near them in Milton Keynes and they rave about it so I was interested to see what it was like.

• What did you enjoy about it?
  

We went on opening day and so we were treated to all they had to offer
It was easy to find and park. There was a sausage stall outside helping teachers from a local school raise money - seems to be community minded so I was impressed by that.
Inside I wasn't expecting a cafe or somewhere for the kids to play - mine were delighted. My littles loved having their faces painted and seeing Peppa Pig. There were goodies all round the store - the garden section was certainly better than other bigger stores I've been to.
The indoor playground near the cafe would have been a godsend when my kids were younger - I can see it as a fun thing for mums to meet there for a coffee rather than at other local garden centres where you'd be likely to spend loads more.

• Did it inspire you? If yes, in what ways? The paint section looked really good and the Christmas lights looked fun too.
  
• What did you spend your £20 on?
  

We bought storage boxes for each of the kids - it's always a challenge keeping the toys at bay and we thought different boxes would help with tidy up time.
Please share a photo of your purchase(s)

• Do you think you’d return to the new Bunnings store when you are after home improvement or gardening products?
  

Definitely - there was lots there and I think they would be more likely to stock stuff than some of the other DIY sheds nearby.

• How would you describe the store to someone who had never been?
  

It's like a DIY version of the IKEA warehouse - the displays are clear but it's quite no frills which I guess keeps some of the prices down (though I was coveting some of the amazing garden furniture and bigger trees in the garden section) As the earlier poster it was bit like a US hardware store - the array of tools was v impressive.

[cjbk1]

• Why did you want to visit Bunnings in Harlow?
  

Because we have an awful lot of DIY to do in our house and fancied a look at a new store in our area

• What did you enjoy about it?
  

the range of products was great a mixture of DIY items like B&Q but with freestanding home decor like a garden centre. the children’s entertainment was very helpful because it allowed me to actually look while children supervised by Dad but this isn’t permanent. However the new clean play area and cafe was much appreciated although they could both be bigger.

• Did it inspire you?
  

the range of scrubbable paints which we’d struggled to find in a store before
The dulux dog willow was beautiful and a lovely character
If yes, in what ways?
because we might actually be able to improve our walls

• What did you spend your £20 on?
  

I spent it on two matching lampshades for downstairs very small sitting area and dining area because we’ve got unmatching second hand now
Please share a photo of your purchase(s)

• Do you think you’d return to the new Bunnings store when you are after home improvement or gardening products?
  

I think so because it seems the most suited to our needs in the area. I didn’t actually look outside at the gardening area so I’d go back to do so

• How would you describe the store to someone who had never been?
  

a very large DIY and home decor store with helpful staff and a nice play area

Thanks for the opportunity

[Jayjayharrychops]

I was unable to attend the event as my husband is in hospital. Such a shame as I was really looking forward to going. xx

[Tigger83]

• Why did you want to visit Bunnings in Harlow?

I love Homebase I wanted to see what was different with bunnings

• What did you enjoy about it?

It was fantastic like a cross between all the best diy stores all under one roof

• Did it inspire you? If yes, in what ways?

The ranges were great from the paint station to the wood cutting area

• What did you spend your £20 on? Please share a photo of your purchase(s)

I didn’t take a pic as it was a bit boring but I bought a curtain rail for the nursery we’re decorating, some plant feed and some light bulbs!!

• Do you think you’d return to the new Bunnings store when you are after home improvement or gardening products?

Absolutely

• How would you describe the store to someone who had never been?

See above!!

[Rosie70]

The Bunnings takeover has ruined my local Homebase store. It used to be fab with loads of great stuff and even a Habitat concession. Now it is a chaotic depressing dump that we go out of our way to avoid - driving an extra 5 miles to visit B and Q instead.

[Butteredparsn1ps]

• Why did you want to visit Bunnings in Harlow?

We have a few projects going on with our house at the moment. our kitchen and bathrooms need refreshing and we are looking to do a bigger project in our hall. We wanted to see what Bunnings had on offer and how they compared price wise.

• What did you enjoy about it?

It’s a one stop shop, with pretty much everything you need for a project

• Did it inspire you? If yes, in what ways?

Yes it did, although it was incredibly busy on the open day, so hard to see some products up close! DH went back on Thursday evening for a more thorough recce and was pretty happy when he came out.

• What did you spend your £20 on? Please share a photo of your purchase(s)

Boringly, a Kitchen bin, which we needed! DH bought an LED light and has put a tile cutter (which he thought was great value) on his wish list.

• Do you think you’d return to the - Why did you want to visit Bunnings in Harlow?

Definitely

• How would you describe the store to new Bunnings store when you are after home improvement or gardening products?

I would emphasise that it’s more warehouse than showroom. It’s the place to go when you are ready to move forward with your project, and want to pick everything up in one place.

• How would you describe the store

It’s enormous! The ultimate pile it High one stop shop!

[TefalTester123]

Rosie70 I wonder if we are in the same area. My local Homebase is the same. It’s like a Jumble Sale and makes Wickes look upmarket.

[Butteredparsn1ps]

Just realised I didn’t actually post a picture of the bin I bought with my voucher. As you can see it’s already being put to good use!

Thank You Bunnings for the opportunity to have a look around. I agree with other PP that the new Bunnings is an improvement on Homebase.