Long queues were spotted outside Hartcliffe's B&Q today (April 23) as the chain re-opened 74 UK stores.
The DIY giant closed all branches to shoppers when the coronavirus lockdown was announced - save for an online click and collect service.
But last week the government signalled an opportunity for stores to open to the public once again, reports Manchester Evening News.
A National Police Chief's Council document said shoppers can "buy tools and supplies to repair a fence panel damaged in bad weather".
Although the same report also stated it was not permitted for people to leave their homes to buy items for general DIY projects, such as redesigning the kitchen.
A spokesman 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."
B&Q shopping rules
The company spokesman said: "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.
"To help remind everyone to respect each other’s personal space, we have two-metre floor markers throughout these stores and also perspex screens at the checkouts.
"We’re urging all customers to follow the government’s social distancing guidelines and to shop responsibly only for what is necessary."
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And payment must be made by card-only as B&Q will not be accepting cash.
The Daily Express reports that customers only will be able to buy products that are available to take away on the day and services such kitchen and bathroom design, paint-mixing, key and timber-cutting are not currently available.
Which B&Q stores are open?
Bristol's Hartcliffe outlet re-opened today. However, Cribbs Causeway and Longwell Green remained closed.
What are the opening times?
Stores are open daily from 8am until 5pm.
Full list of B&Q stores open around the UK
- Aberdeen
- Bamber Bridge
- Basildon
- Blackpool
- Bolton
- Bury
- Cardiff
- Cardiff (Culverhouse Cross)
- Cheetham Hill
- Chester
- Chiswick
- Coventry (Brandon Road)
- Crewe
- Croydon
- Darnley
- Dearne Valley
- Derby
- Doncaster
- Dundee
- East Kilbride
- Edinburgh
- Enfield
- Erdington
- Exeter
- Fareham
- Farnborough
- Gillingham
- Glasshoughton
- Gloucester
- Great Western Rd
- Great Yarmouth
- Grimsby
- Halesowen
- Hartcliffe
- Havant
- Huddersfield
- Ipswich
- Leeds
- Leicester
- Meir Park
- Milton Keynes
- New Malden
- Newtownabbey
- North Shields
- Northampton
- Norwich
- Nottingham
- Nursling, Paisley
- Peterborough
- Plymouth
- Queens Road
- Reading
- Romford
- Scotswood
- Slough
- Solihull
- Southend
- St Andrews Quay
- St.Helens
- Stockport
- Stockton
- Sutton
- Sutton in Ashfield
- Swansea
- Trafford Park
- Wallasey
- Warrington
- Washington
- Watford
- Wednesbury
- West Thurrock
- Wigan
- Yeading
- York (Hull Road)
