B&Q re-opens 14 stores across Scotland during lockdown

DIY store B&Q has opened a further seven outlets in the country during the coronavirus lockdown bringing the total open now to 14.

The decision comes after the retail giant trialled re-opening stores across the UK on Sunday, including its Paisley branch which attracted enormous queues.

It opened five more stores in Scotland yesterday and an extra eight as of this morning.

B&Q stores are now open in Aberdeen, Glasgow, East Kilbride and Dundee. | Other 3rd Party

The company’s test involved enforcing social distancing measures in the outlets, similar to those used in supermarkets.

It says it is now in a position to "follow best practice" on hygiene and social distancing measures in order to keep its staff and customers safe.

The stores now open in Scotland as of today are:

Aberdeen - Bridge Of Don and Garthdee Road

Bishopbriggs

Coatbridge

Dundee

East Kilbride

Edinburgh - Hermiston Gait and Newcraighall

Glasgow – Darnley, Great Western Road and Parkhead

Inverness

Kirkcaldy

Paisley

A B&Q spokeswoman said: "As an essential retailer, we’re committed to providing the best possible service to support customers’ home improvement needs at this difficult time, while keeping customers and colleagues safe.

"Having watched other essential retailers support social distancing in their stores, we are now following their best practice and are re-opening some stores with strict social distancing measures in place.

"Similar to shopping at a supermarket, we’re strictly limiting the number of customers in store at any one time, and so customers are typically queueing before entering stores. All stores have a designated queuing area outside and these have two metre markers to help remind everyone to respect each other’s personal space.

"To further support social distancing, we have two metre floor markers throughout the store and have also installed perspex screens at the checkouts. Only products that you can shop and takeaway in store on the day are available to customers. Our services such as kitchen and bathroom design, paint mixing, timber cutting and key cutting are not available for the time being and, at this point in time, we’re only accepting card and contact-less payments.”

The company is continuing its Click+Collect service at diy.com, but reminds customers orders can take a few days and may be temporarily unavailable at busy times.

Customers can also place orders for contact-free home delivery for a limited range of products at diy.com.

The spokeswoman added: "We’re urging all customers to follow the government’s social distancing guidelines, to shop responsibly only for what is necessary and to be patient while we give them the best possible service in the safest possible way."