B&Q closing store...all stock must go...

dsab

almillar wrote: »

Ballymena, Boucher, Sprucefield, Derry are going
Newry, Holywood, Craigavon (?) are staying
Many Screwfixes (also part of the Kingfisher group) have popped up, perhaps to fill in the gaps.

Craigavon is also confirmed as closing, but didn't think about Holywood, which is staying for now.

gmm30

Some decent discounts in the Ballymena store. Paint isn't great (15% off) but most other stuff is 20-40%. On Saturday, timber was 30% off, but when I was back in on Wednesday evening it was 40% off. I presume the discount will get heavier as they approach closing date, as the timber would be awkward and expensive to move to other stores.

All paint testers were 50p. They are no longer doing paint mixing.

Electrical goods (including lighting, switches etc) was 25% off - might be worth a look if you need something but no massive bargains.

There seemed to be several people buying kitchen units so maybe they're well reduced. I did notice worktops were just 20% off.

Mistral001

gmm30 wrote: »

Some decent discounts in the Ballymena store. Paint isn't great (15% off) but most other stuff is 20-40%. On Saturday, timber was 30% off, but when I was back in on Wednesday evening it was 40% off. I presume the discount will get heavier as they approach closing date, as the timber would be awkward and expensive to move to other stores.

All paint testers were 50p. They are no longer doing paint mixing.

Electrical goods (including lighting, switches etc) was 25% off - might be worth a look if you need something but no massive bargains.

There seemed to be several people buying kitchen units so maybe they're well reduced. I did notice worktops were just 20% off.

I was there on Saturday. The place was packed. It must be difficult for the regular staff. I must admit, I felt like a bit of a vulture as I was a regular in the store a few years back when I was doing some DIY renovations to my house.

gmm30

I was there on Saturday. The place was packed. It must be difficult for the
regular staff. I must admit, I felt like a bit of a vulture as I was a regular
in the store a few years back when I was doing some DIY renovations to my
house.

Yes, I haven't seen the place as busy for years. To be fair to the staff they were very friendly and helpful (I was getting some wood cut to size), and one guy in particular was being very patient with a fairly awkward customer in front of me in the queue.

Since Screwfix opened locally I've probably used it twice for every one B&Q visit - it's so convenient. You have to wonder was this the Kingfisher strategy all along - much lower overheads with the Screwfix model I'm sure. I'll definitely miss B&Q when it's gone.

Ticked

I'm told that Sprucefield will be open for another year, closing January 2017.

CEON44

I'll definitely miss B&Q when it's gone

Yes, they are useful. But it has to be said they are not cheap. Yes, you can probably get just about anything you need but for a lot of stuff you can get it way cheaper in small independent hardware shops. If you can find any of course.

Mistral001

CEON44 wrote: »

Yes, they are useful. But it has to be said they are not cheap. Yes, you can probably get just about anything you need but for a lot of stuff you can get it way cheaper in small independent hardware shops. If you can find any of course.

B&Q I think has to be treated like any other hardware shop or builder's merchant or garden centre. Some things will be cheaper and some things will be dearer. I suppose because they are mega stores we are at risk of assuming that they will be cheaper than the smaller shops.


Actually I think the pound shops have hit them. A couple of years ago they tried to compete with the pound shops by starting to offer discounted items in display bins. I think that was probably a mistake. I like a bargain like anybody else but I must have looked in the bins dozens of time, but I could not find anything worth buying.

gmm30

I'm fortunate to have a small local traditional hardware shop which is reasonably priced for most stuff and has a decent range. B&Q was a last resort if I couldn't get stuff elsewhere or it was 6pm on a Saturday and an emergency struck.

I fully agree with Mistral on the bargain stuff. I never once found anything worth buying in those bins.

Ballymena is apparently closing on 6th February, but by the look of the place this evening I can't see the stock lasting beyond Christmas.

Brokeattheminute

B AND Q Craigavon closing on April 16th next yr.Prob a bit of a Closing down sale after the New Yr

danih

Is every b and q store in NI closing?