B&Q confirm Castleford store among first to reopen

The superstore, on Aspen Way, Glasshoughton, has reopened its doors after several weeks of closure due to the coronavirus pandemic.

It comes just a day after B&Q denied that they had plans to reopen any stores in the Wakefield district.

The shop is now expected to reopen, though it is expected that social distancing controls will be in place, including a limit on the number of customers allowed in store.

Two-metre markers have also been placed on the floor throughout the store, and perspex screens installed at the checkouts to protect staff.

It is understood that the Glasshoughton store will resume its usual hours of 8am to 5pm.

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.

“We continue to offer our Click+Collect service at diy.com. However, it may take several days for orders to be ready, 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 too.

“In recognition of the importance of Trade customers being able to carry out repairs and maintenance for their customers, TradePoint is available at all re-opened stores and our Trade customers are also able to purchase products online at trade-point.co.uk.

“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 whilst we give them the best possible service in the safest possible way.”