B&Q TO BE 100% PEAT-FREE ACROSS ITS BAGGED GROWING MEDIA RANGE IN 2023

• B&Q makes commitment to be peat-free across bagged growing media range in 2023
• The business will continue to increase peat-free product innovations across its supply chain until it reaches 100%
• This year, 70% of B&Q’s growing media range is peat-free

15^th June 2021: B&Q, the UK’s leading home improvement retailer, today makes a commitment to be 100% peat-free across its bagged growing media range in 2023.

As B&Q works towards this date, it will continue to make developments through peat-free product innovations and changes in its supply chain.

Today’s announcement from B&Q follows years of peat-free innovation since 1991, when B&Q first introduced peat-free compost. B&Q stopped selling 100% peat in 2008 and introduced a range of peat-free bedding plants in 2014. Throughout, B&Q has been working with suppliers to improve the quality of peat-free composts and to secure sufficient volumes to achieve its peat-free commitment, whilst fulfilling its customers’ needs to enjoy their gardens.

Over the last three years, B&Q has partnered with suppliers to develop a high quality 100% peat-free formulation under the GoodHome brand. This new high-quality 100% peat-free compost, launched in 2020, is formulated using coir and other ingredients to replace peat. The compost is competitively priced so that cost is not a barrier to customers in their purchase decision.

Steve Guy, Market Director Outdoor, B&Q, said: “At B&Q we have a history of positive development of our outdoor range to help our customers have greener, healthier gardens. We were the first retailer to remove neonicotinoids from our supply chain and in 2019 we removed metaldehydes and 2020 saw the removal of glyphosates from our range. Now we are announcing another significant milestone for greener gardens as we make public our commitment to become peat-free in our bagged growing media range in 2023.     

“Between now and then, we will continue developing alternatives for peat growing media, working closely with our suppliers and the wider industry to make this transition, as well as helping our customers understand the benefits of peat-free alternatives. While we know that there are volume challenges in the peat-free supply chain, we are determined to bring quality alternative growing media to the market at scale, whilst being affordable for our customers.”

Today’s announcement coincides with the launch of B&Q’s parent company Kingfisher’s 2020/21 Responsible Business Report. This highlights that across 2020/21, 55% of B&Q sales have come from sustainable home products that help customers have greener, healthier homes and gardens.

ENDS

Notes to editors

B&Q sells a large range of peat free growing media offered under our GoodHome brand, as well as New Horizon and Pro-Grow branded composts, amongst others. 

B&Q peat free offering includes:

• GoodHome Multipurpose Compost (from 10L to 100L)
• GoodHome Grow Bag (27L)
• Good Home Multi Purpose Enriched Compost (50L)

B&Q also stocks New Horizon branded compost including:

• New Horizon All Plant Compost (50L)
• New Horizon Veg Growing Compost (50L)

For more info, please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Qpressoffice@freuds.com / 020 3003 6633.

NATION GOES WILD FOR GARDENING, AS B&Q GARDENER OF THE YEAR ANNOUNCED WITH £10,000 FOR TOP PRIZE

• With 80% of Brits revealing they have got more into gardening in the last year, B&Q is calling gardeners from across the UK to showcase their gardening prowess in a nationwide search for the first B&Q Gardener of the year.
• B&Q will celebrate all gardens great and small, from window boxes, patios and balconies to more traditional green spaces, as everyone is encouraged to enter to win the grand prize of £10,000. 
• Comedian Jim Moir joins the judging panel, alongside gardening experts Matt Childs, Humaira Ikram and Steve Guy to choose the B&Q Gardener of the Year and four runners up. 
• Gen-Z gardeners take on the over fifties at their own game, as 85% of them reveal they have got more into gardening in the last 12 months.
• Topping the list of most important aspects of gardening for Brits is; making use of space, growing their own, using their imagination, creating a unique space and using colour well. 

19th May, London: B&Q today launches the first B&Q Gardener of the Year competition, which will come as a relief to gardening enthusiasts up and down the nation who are missing out on Chelsea Flower Show this Spring. Gardening is an important source of happiness for many, and a year of lockdown has proven to Brit’s that they can roll up their sleeves to improve their outdoor space making it more enjoyable. That’s why B&Q is setting out to celebrate the show gardens of the real gardeners across the UK. But rather than giving out rosettes, the UK’s largest garden retailer is giving £10,000 to one lucky winner. The launch of the competition comes as a study conducted by the retailer reveals that Gen-Zers are taking on the over fifties at their own game, as 85% have become more interested in gardening in the last 12 months and that 93% felt gardening had become trendier in the last year due to spending more time at home.

With the nation’s love for gardening stronger than ever, B&Q has been joined by comedian Jim Moir on a mission to showcase the ‘real’ gardens of the UK by inviting the British public to enter the Gardener of the year competition, covering five criteria including; best use of colour, best use of small space, best use of imagination, best grow your own space and best eco-friendly garden. These criteria have been supported by B&Q’s research, which revealed that making use of space, growing their own, using their imagination, creating a unique space and using colour well, were key things considered when it came to what Brit’s focus on in their garden.

As it is revealed that Brits take inspiration for their gardens from many different places, with 37% turning to gardening centres like B&Q for advice, 27% asking their parents and 26% checking social media platforms, B&Q has thrown the rule book out the window when it comes to what makes a garden ‘best in show.’ All outside spaces and gardens are encouraged to take part, from window boxes and balconies to colourful expanses and grow your own greats. And of course, B&Q has a whole host of products to help Brits make the most of their gardens, regardless of size. Offering a range of 2,000 plants, which have been vetted for quality at every stage, including 140 varieties of rose, they have something to make every outdoor space bloom.

Joining Jim Moir on the judges panel are award-winning garden designers, Matt Childs and Humaira Ikram, and B&Q Outdoor Category Director Steve Guy. This mighty team will shortlist entries to crown the B&Q Gardener of the year, who will be awarded £10,000, the prestigious ‘golden trowel’ award, as well as the newly launched B&Q Green Card, giving access to free plants for ten years. Four runners up will also be selected to receive £1,000.

To launch the competition with a bang, Jim Moir has taken part in a piece of ‘mow-tivational’ video content set to inspire Brits to put their gardens to the test. Jim can be seen tickling tomatoes, consoling a marrow, conspiring with Kenneth the snail, and sitting upon a floral throne as he galvanises green fingers across the nation. The video can be viewed in all its glory here.

But B&Q are not stopping there - they will also be shining a light on community gardens and outside spaces which have been transformed for the better, as part of the B&Q Community garden of the year competition. This separate award will celebrate outdoor spaces which have been created by the community for the community with the aim of improving the life and wellbeing of those in the surrounding area. One garden will be crowned B&Q Community garden of the year, winning a £2,500 B&Q gift card and a consultation with award-winning garden designers, Matt Childs and Humaira Ikram. Matt has been responsible for designing multiple medal-winning show gardens at both the RHS Chelsea and RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Shows, which have been shaped by his people-first approach to garden design, and the power of outside space in contributing to mental and physical wellbeing. Humaira, meanwhile, is a professional garden designer and runs the Garden Design Diploma at the KLC School of Design. She is a regular contributor on BBC Gardeners Question Time, and most recently, appeared on The Big Flower Fight as a judge alongside Jim Moir.

Jim Moir says; “I am thrilled to be taking part in the first annual B&Q Gardener of the Year competition. I get so much enjoyment from my garden and it’s a real place of solace for me. During lockdown I did develop green fingers, as much of the nation did, and I’ve been lovingly tending to my tomato and courgette plants. My little grow your own patch isn’t much but I take a huge amount of pride in it. That’s what this competition is all about, finding those gardens which might be a bit rough around the edges, but are perfect to those who love them.”

Steve Guy, B&Q Outdoor Category Director says: “At B&Q we pride ourselves on providing the nation with the range of products, plants and flowers they need to make the most of their outdoor spaces. Now, through B&Q Gardener of the year, we want to shine a light on Brits who dedicated time turning their gardens into their own personal oasis. It’s great to see how many people have found a love for gardening in recent times. We truly believe gardening should be for the many and not the few, so we hope the launch of this competition will bring out the creative gardeners from up and down the UK.”

The B&Q Gardener of the year competition is open now and close on 18th June, anyone can enter via https://www.diy.com/projects/outdoors

POST COVID BRITAIN TO BE A NATION OF DIY-ERS AS AVERAGE BRIT SPENDS A MONTH ON HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN LOCKDOWN

• As the nation passes 365 days since lockdown one started, B&Q posts annual sales growth of 13% and research reveals Brits spent over a month (31 days), out of the past 12, improving their homes.
• Garden improvement projects were the top priority for homeowners with a quarter (27%) saying they did so to spend time with friends and family as gardens became critical spaces for socialising.
• Adapting homes to be more suitable to a new way of living and using DIY as a welcome distraction to maintain wellbeing were key motivations behind the surge in home renovations in 2020.
• B&Q saw sales of the storage category skyrocket (up 24%) enabling multi-use spaces within homes to be adapted and clutter-free, to make way for room dividers and home office furniture in 2020.

25th March 2021: As B&Q posts annual sales growth of 13% and as the nation marks a year since lockdown began, the UK's leading home improvement retailer has today released data which uncovers Brits' pandemic home improvement habits, as 86% undertook a DIY project in the last 12 months. The data explores how Brits used home improvements to adapt homes to the new way of living and as a way of maintaining good wellbeing in the past year. 

B&Q's study of 2,000 adults revealed that Brits spent on average 15 hours a week tackling DIY jobs around their homes – totalling over 31 days throughout the year. Our need to improve our homes was relentless, as 56% of those who took on DIY projects in the last year did so to adapt to the pandemic, with the average person taking on nine different home renovation jobs in total over the last year, working out to roughly one new project every six weeks.

Of those who did DIY, for 41% the opportunity to tick something off their to do list was the reason given for investing time and money into home renovations, and for 23% doing DIY gave a sense of achievement from completing DIY jobs. A further 15% of people said DIY helped improve their mental wellbeing and 17% said they used DIY as a way to take their mind off the pandemic.

The top priority for Brits, when thinking about which areas of the home to renovate, was the garden. Of those who changed their home in order to adapt to the pandemic, more than a quarter (27%) focussed on the garden as a way to spend more time with friends and family outside. As a result, 12% believe their skills in planting and general gardening have improved over the last 12 months.

For many, creating an outdoor space that reflected the style and practicality of their indoor living area was a key transformation. B&Q reports that decorative items such as outdoor rugs were up 11%, statement outdoor tiles up 462%, and fairy lights up 56%, as people strived to create homely spaces in their gardens.

When it came to how Brits use inside spaces, there was a need for homes across the UK to flex and shift with changing needs. As houses became the setting for school, office, gyms and restaurants, from March last year homeowners converted their space to serve a new purpose for a way of living with new needs and requirements. As such, one in seven households (14%) say they adapted their home to suit the new normal by adding a home office.

One of B&Q’s stand-out products of 2020 was the Alara pop-up room divider, which allows people to simply divide up a room to create a more useful space without the cost and inconvenience of building a wall. With home working and home schooling putting huge pressures on space and privacy many chose to carve up existing spaces using low cost, no mess fixes which resulted in room divider sales growing by over 50%.

Other adaptations over the last year include people growing their own vegetables (13%) and building more storage (12%) in order to keep multiuse spaces tidy and clutter free. The need for order and organisation in the home during lockdown was reflected in B&Q sales figures as sales of storage grew strongly (24%) in the last year.

However, it wasn’t just for practical reasons that Brits turned to home improvements. For some (13%), they undertook DIY to feel in control during an unpredictable time. Proving that renovations can be a source of positivity, homeowners felt happy (36%), content (36%), proud (29%) and calm (13%) when thinking about the DIY jobs they had completed.

One family who used home renovations as a way of both adapting their living space to the demands of a large family at home in lockdown, and a way to maintain good mental wellbeing, is Sarah (39) and Dave (42) Alderton from Sprowston in Norwich. 

Sarah and Dave Alderton from Norwich said: “When lockdown hit, our priorities for our house renovation completely changed. Suddenly, our home needed to work as a practical space for a family of four to work and home-school from. Lockdown also made us realise just how much we wanted a space where we could entertain and socialise when restrictions finally lift.

“We completely scrapped our original plans for the kitchen and decided to open things right up and have an open plan family area and kitchen which could double as a space to entertain our friends – something which we have missed hugely. We also turned what was originally meant to be Dave’s ‘man-cave’ into a multi-use space for both a gym and an office – that's been really great and the kids even did their PE lessons in this room.

“Lockdown even impacted smaller things such as the tiles we picked for the garden; we usually travel to Spain every year and it’s a really special place for us as a family. With us unable to make our annual trip we decided to bring a bit of Spain to Norwich instead and bought some wonderful Mediterranean tiles from B&Q which really elevated the whole outdoor atmosphere.”

Paul White, Commercial Director, from B&Q said of these findings;

“Being stuck indoors during lockdown was a challenge for us all but many reaped the benefits of home improvement projects – from small tasks like adding storage to transforming rooms to meet new lockdown living needs. These projects delivered both practical solutions throughout Covid but also provided a much-needed distraction from the pandemic. We’ve seen how spending more time indoors has led to people falling back in love with their homes and discovering different ways to get the most out of them way after lockdown is lifted. With the nation’s confidence in their DIY skills growing from strength to strength, we don’t expect this DIY boom to slow down anytime soon.”

It seems that the nation’s newfound love for DIY has created a confidence not previously felt when it came to home renovations.

-ends-

Notes to editors

Research details: OnePoll survey of 2,000 homeowners conducted in March, 2021.

Areas of renovation in order of priority in 2020 were:

1. Garden
2. Living Room
3. Kitchen
4. Bedroom
5. Bathroom

Top DIY jobs that have been completed over the past 12 months

1. Garden maintenance e.g. weeding and planting
2. Painted internal walls
3. Filled in holes
4. Put up curtains/blinds
5. Painted skirting boards
6. Built flat pack furniture
7. Exterior decorating e.g. painted fence
8. Put up shelving
9. Fixed a leaky tap/pipes

Some stand-out products to see a rise in sales during 2020:

• Room Dividers for carving up existing space +51% YoY
• Privacy providing day & night blinds +33% YoY
• Calming deep blue paint +53% YoY
• Calming sea green fence paint +86% YoY
• House plants +59% YoY
• Floor lamps +18% YoY
• Table lamps +27% YoY
• DC Fix sticky back plastic for furniture upcycle and hacks +33%
• Outdoor tiles + 462% YoY
• Spas +145% YoY
• Vegetable seeds +66% YoY
• Pots and Planters +118% YoY

About B&Q 

B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across over 40,000 products in 300 stores across the UK and on diy.com 

Their team of more than 27,000 (15,812 FTE) colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride. 

Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities undertaking home improvement projects and raising money to fund Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit https://www.diy.com/corporate/community

B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,380 stores in 8 countries across Europe.

B&Q AND SPEEDY TRIAL NEW OUTLETS

B&Q, the UK’s leading home improvement retailer, and Speedy, the UK's leading provider of tools and equipment hire, announce the extension of a trial of new tool and equipment hire outlets within B&Q.

The trial commenced in July with Speedy concessions now at nine B&Q stores: West Thurrock, Beckton, Roneo Corner, Yeading, New Malden, Gillingham, Trafford Park, Darnley and Stockport. A further five outlets are scheduled to open in January.

The concessions, typically about 90sqm in size, give B&Q retail and trade customers the option to hire tools and equipment from Speedy as part of their B&Q shopping trip. The offer in the B&Q concessions includes Speedy’s four-hour national delivery promise on a wide range of products, and customers are now able to order and collect Speedy products seven days a week, complementing Speedy’s own 200 strong depot network.

The Speedy concessions are located next to the TradePoint areas within the nine B&Q stores so that retail and trade customers can now hire a range of mobile access platforms, tower scaffolds, mini diggers and dumpers, plate compactors, floor sanders, mixers and heaters at competitive prices*.

Russell Down, Chief Executive, Speedy said: “We are delighted to be trialling Speedy concessions in B&Q stores. These will make the option of hiring tools and equipment much more accessible to DIY customers and enable trade customers to hire equipment seven days a week. Customers can hire products to take away, or with our unique four-hour delivery promise, they can order equipment in the knowledge that it will arrive shortly after they return home.”

“We have a leading reputation in the construction market, and by joining forces with B&Q, the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, can offer customers a compelling and market leading proposition.”

Chris Bargate, Director of Business Development, B&Q said “We’re committed to testing new initiatives and are delighted to be trialling this tool and equipment hire service in our stores with Speedy.”  

“Our customers are continuing to adapt and change to new ways of living and shopping, and these new concessions with Speedy are just one way in which we’re making it easier for people to improve their homes.”

“We’re excited by the potential re-use of our space to offer new services in store and are keen to understand how customers respond.”

More information about the range of equipment and tools available for hire from Speedy at B&Q can be found at: speedyservices.com/speedy-bandq

•All prices can be viewed on the Speedy website speedyservices.com/speedy-bandq and are those available to all customers in store. TradePoint customers enjoy an extra discount across most products. 

-ENDS-

For more info please contact:

• B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk  / 0207 932 3693.
• Speedy Press Office: speedy@citypress.co.uk / 0161 235 0300

About B&Q

•  B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across over 40,000 products in 297* stores across the UK and on diy.com

•  Their team of more than 15,812*‡ colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.

•  Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities undertaking home improvement projects and raising money to fund Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit https://www.diy.com/corporate/community

•  B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,300 stores in 9 countries across Europe, Russia and Turkey.

About Speedy

Founded in 1977, Speedy is the UK’s leading provider of tools, equipment and plant hire services to a wide range of customers in the construction, infrastructure and industrial markets, as well as to local trade and industry. The Group provides complementary support services through the provision of training, asset management and compliance services. Speedy is certified nationally to ISO50001, ISO9001, ISO14001, ISO17020, ISO27001 and OHSAS18001. The Group operates from over 200 fixed sites across the UK and Ireland together with a number of on-site facilities at client locations, from an international office based in Abu Dhabi and through a joint venture in Kazakhstan.

* Data correct: 1 June 2020
‡ Full time equivalent

B&Q AND ASDA TO TEST NEW RETAIL CONCEPT

B&Q, the UK’s leading home improvement retailer, plan a shop within shop trial of compact B&Q stores in four Asda superstores.

The first two compact stores will open at Asda’s Dagenham and Sheffield Drakehouse stores later this year.

The 200-300sqm concessions will give customers the chance to shop a broad range of B&Q products in-store or place an order via diy.com for home delivery or Click & Collect.

• The B&Q trial concessions in Asda stores will offer a range of paint (including paint mixing) as well as tools, hardware and other DIY essentials.
• Customers will be able to shop B&Q’s full range at diy.com and order selected items online for collection from the B&Q concessions
• The trial will make it easier for customers to access a broader range of DIY essentials in more convenient locations and complete many different shopping activities in a single trip

Chris Bargate, Director of Business Development, B&Q, commented: “We believe in testing small formats and are committed to trialling new initiatives. We’re delighted to be trialling with ASDA to test a more convenient way for customers to access our range of home improvement products and services.

“Our customers are continuing to adapt and change to new ways of living and shopping and this is just one way in which we’re responding by getting closer to customers and making it easier for them to improve their homes.

“The trial B&Q concession stores at ASDA will have a great selection of DIY essential items, expert help and advice from our colleagues, as well as digital access to our broader range of products.

“We’re excited by the potential of this new model and are looking forward to seeing how customers respond”.

Preyash Thakrar, Asda’s Chief Strategy Officer, said: “We’re always looking at new and innovative ways to offer our customers increased choice and enhance their in-store experience, which is why we are pleased to be trialling B&Q compact stores in four Asda locations.

“B&Q’s offer will give Asda customers access to a range of essential home improvement products and expert advice as part of this new concept.

“We know that our customers will appreciate the opportunity to complete a number of missions in a single trip, as evidenced by changing shopper behaviours as a result of the pandemic.”

-ENDS-

NOTES TO EDITORS: For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.

About B&Q

• B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across over 40,000 products in 297* stores across the UK and on diy.com
• Their team of more than 15,812*‡ colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
• Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities undertaking home improvement projects and raising money to fund Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit https://www.diy.com/corporate/community
• B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,300 stores in 9 countries across Europe, Russia and Turkey.

B&Q LAUNCHES POWERFUL NEW ‘BUILD A LIFE’ BRAND CAMPAIGN, CREATED BY UNCOMMON

• B&Q launches a thought-provoking new brand campaign, rooted in the sentiment that ‘You don’t buy a life. You build one.’
• The campaign celebrates the belief that anyone can change their home to make life better
• The new strategic thinking, created with Uncommon Creative Studio, is to be rolled out through paid, owned and earned channels across September

Thursday 10th September 2020: B&Q has today unveiled its new brand campaign, ‘Build a Life’, that celebrates the belief that anyone can change their home to make life better.

‘Build a Life’ represents a reinvigorated direction for B&Q and is the first in a series of campaigns, created by Uncommon Creative Studio, to drive emotional connection with the brand, reinstating its meaningful place in the UK market.

B&Q believes that anyone can improve their home to make life better. Our homes are where life happens – a place we grow-up, learn, and live our lives. Home has never been so important and a recent survey by B&Q found that lockdown has changed British attitudes towards our homes for good, with 57 percent agreeing our homes are more significant in improving our lives than ever.

This new campaign highlights that there’s so much more to everyday DIY. The strategic thinking from Uncommon, appointed by the brand last year, celebrates life in the home and the power of home improvement to change lives. Originally inspired by the amazing things people do to improve their homes to make their life better – something made even more significant by lockdown – the campaign taps into the fundamental truths about our homes and reflects the role B&Q has played in transforming the UK’s homes for the past 50 years.

Chris Graham, Marketing Director, B&Q said: “At B&Q we’ve been making, growing and selling the tools, materials and know-how to improve homes for over 50 years. To us, these things are more than bricks and mortar.”

“We believe that anyone can improve their home to make life better. It’s precisely this insight that makes us so proud and privileged to be a business where we can help people shape the homes that mean so much to them. Our 27,000 colleagues, myself included, love hearing about the projects our customers take on - it’s what inspires and motivates us."

“It’s been great working with the team at Uncommon. The creative approach gathered many amazing stories of real families in their homes. We learned how they improved them, and how they became places where important life moments were created. We hope the campaign reminds everyone of the magic and power of home improvement to do so much more than build a home.”

Nils Leonard, Co-founder, Uncommon added: “‘You can do it’ has never been a more powerful thought. The idea that you can build a room, a house, a life. Uncommon are proud to partner B&Q in their mission to help everyone build the life they want.”

B&Q’s new campaign and brand purpose has been creatively brought to life by Uncommon through a 60’ film capturing real life moments, using real people’s archive footage, to represent a genuine portrait of British homes and how they have been improved across the years.

The film shows snippets of real home videos from 69 families across the 69 cities that make-up the UK. We see the ups and downs of life at home and how home improvement can shape them. We see nostalgic moments of growing up including birthday parties, redecorating bedrooms, cups of tea catchups, slammed doors from family rows and making room for that new picture on the wall. These memories resonate and reflect life events. We are narrated through each family scene from the kitchen to the garden with some powerful words read by Game of Thrones actor, Rory McCann. The film is set to a moving and powerful track from acclaimed music group The Cinematic Orchestra titled ‘Manhatta’.

The campaign also includes a new creative direction for the brand’s paid, owned and earned content which marries imagery of products with bold statements inspired by life at home and home improvement. The creative direction follows a disruptive approach and celebrates B&Q’s famously orange look and feel.

The film airs on the 10th September across TV and online. With an OOH campaign breaking later this month up and down the UK.

- END -

CREDITS:

Project name: Build a Life

Agency: Uncommon Creative Studio

Client: B&Q

Production company: Knucklehead

Director: Chris Hewitt

Editor: Lewis Noll

Producer: Darren Tuohy

DOP: Chris Sabogal

Post-production: Electric Theatre Collective

Grade: Jason Wallis

VFX: Electric Theatre Collective

Soundtrack: The Cinematic Orchestra

Audio post-production: 750mph & Soundtree Music

NOTES TO EDITORS:

To find out more about the campaign, please go to Build a Life

For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.

About B&Q’s Research

The research, commissioned by UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, polled 2,000 consumers to uncover how the Covid-19 lockdown has fundamentally changed Brits’ relationship with their homes.

About B&Q

• B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across over 40,000 products in 297* stores across the UK and diy.com
• Their team of more than 15,812*‡ colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
• Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities undertaking home improvement projects and raising money to fund Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit B&Q in the Community
• B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,300 stores in 9 countries across Europe, Russia and Turkey.

REVEALED: HOW LOCKDOWN CHANGED BRITISH ATTITUDES TOWARDS OUR HOMES FOR GOOD

• Research shows that 9 out of 10 people are united in the belief that the home is central to making life better
• More than half (57 percent) agree our homes are more significant in improving our lives than ever
• Two-fifths are now more motivated to do home improvement as a result of lockdown
• During what was a challenging time for many, over half also said they found DIY projects therapeutic
• 18-24 year olds have embraced DIY the most and plan to do more ambitious projects

Wednesday, 9th September 2020: Many of us remember the DIY fever that gripped the nation during the UK’s lockdown - but new research released today by B&Q has revealed the extent to which the last six months have fundamentally changed British attitudes towards our homes – especially among the younger generation.

The research, commissioned by the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, polled 2,000 consumers to uncover how the Covid-19 lockdown has fundamentally changed Brits’ relationship with their homes.

An almost universal consensus (nine out of ten) said that their home is important to make their life better, and 57 percent feel it is even more significant post-lockdown.

Exploring why homes felt more significant than ever, the survey also found that 89 percent say their homes are a ‘sanctuary’ where they can be ourselves and 87 percent value the sense of security they provide. Despite this, only one in ten (11 percent) currently live in their ideal home, whereas half of the population (47 percent) want to make changes to their living set up. The research also showed that the increased time spent at home meant over half (53 percent) of Brits realised more DIY needed doing.

And it seems the benefits go far beyond the functional bricks and mortar. During what was a difficult time for many, over half (51 percent) also said they found home improvement projects to be therapeutic.

Over two-fifths (42 percent) say they are more motivated to do DIY as a result of lockdown, and 35 percent feel more ambitious in the home improvement projects they want to tackle. This change in attitude is particularly prevalent among youngsters, with two-fifths (42 percent) of 18-24 year olds having learned DIY skills during lockdown, while only a quarter (24 per cent) of those aged between 45-54 said the same. The younger generation also now feel more ambitious to make changes and tackle further DIY (42 percent of 18-24 year olds and 45 percent of 25-34 year olds agreed).

Gardening and decorating projects are by far the most coveted projects to improve people’s lives and enjoyment of their home. Nearly half (48 percent) said they had a gardening project planned and 43 percent want to get underway with decorating tasks. Signs of the lasting impact of lockdown on our home habits is also clear, with more than a third (35 percent) planning to improve their working from home spaces.

Chris Graham, Marketing Director, B&Q commented: “From terraces in Telford to flats in Farnborough, there are millions of different places to live in the UK. None are the same and neither are the people that live in them. However, what this research shows is that over 90% of us are united in the belief that the home is central to making life better.

“At B&Q, we’ve been helping people improve their homes for over 50 years, but the stories we’ve heard from customers in the last six months, alongside this new research, really shows that everyone has the potential to change their life through improving their home. It’s precisely this insight that makes us so proud and privileged to be a business where we can help people shape the homes that mean so much to them.”

The research also examined other ways, outside of the home, in which Brits seek to make their lives better.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, many have found life improving enjoyment in embracing the great outdoors (32 percent), mastering hobbies (29 percent) and discovering new recipes to cook (27 percent). Top of the list for the next twelve months is spending time with family and friends, with over half saying it would improve their life and third (28 percent) saying it’s something they’ll be prioritising in the next year.

- END -

NOTES TO EDITORS: *Research conducted by YouGov in August 2020 – 2000 respondents
For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.

About B&Q

• B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across over 40,000 products in 297* stores across the UK and diy.com
• Their team of more than 15,812*‡ colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
• Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities undertaking home improvement projects and raising money to fund Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit B&Q in the Community
• B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,300 stores in 9 countries across Europe, Russia and Turkey.

B&Q PLEDGES £100,000 OF ITS APPRENTICESHIP LEVY FUND TO HELP SMALL AND MEDIUM BUSINESSES IN THE SOLENT AREA

B&Q has pledged to transfer £100,000 of expiring levy funds to the Transfer to Transform scheme, helping small to medium businesses (SMEs) in the Solent area to train new apprentices and upskill workers in the region.

Transfer to Transform provides the chance for Solent businesses to help support each other, the campaign is not asking for cash or charity, but rather for businesses to pledge some of their unspent apprenticeship levy funding to support small to medium enterprises (SMEs) in the region.

SMEs are a vital part of Solent’s business ecosystem, so ensuring they can access the skills and training they need to support their recovery from the pandemic is vital. By pledging unspent apprenticeship levy funds to Transfer to Transform, large businesses such as B&Q can cover the costs of apprenticeship training for SMEs, enabling them to take on and train new staff or upskill existing members of their team for the challenges faced ahead.

Pledgers can take an active involvement in the process of selecting SMEs to receive the funding, for example B&Q are funding training for tradespeople roles. The pledge from B&Q is already being well invested with apprenticeships agreed for four small businesses to train a gas engineer, a plumber and two installation maintenance electricians. The pledged funds will be further distributed, and we expect this to fund more trade apprentices.

B&Q also runs an extensive apprenticeship programme for its colleagues, with 123 colleagues graduating from its retail team leader level three apprenticeship scheme in January this year. It has recently expanded the range of apprenticeship schemes it offers to its colleagues to 28, with ambitions to have over 850 B&Q colleagues taking part in apprenticeships by the end of the year.

Andy Moat, People Director B&Q said “The Transfer to Transform scheme is an excellent way for employers to work together and ensure that levy funds are used in the best way and it’s a really simple way for big businesses to support their local communities through supporting SMEs.

To be able to share our levy fund with SMEs and to help them rebuild through skills and the creation of new opportunities in the area is vital now, more than ever.

I’d encourage any large business with unspent levy funds to seriously consider how they could use those funds to support SMEs in their local communities.”

Jodi Fair – Manager of the Solent Apprenticeship Hub and the Transfer to Transform scheme - said “To receive the backing of a nationally renowned employer such as B&Q, whose headquarters are located within the Solent region, brings the level of credibility to the initiative that was needed to ensure success”

As of 25/08/2020 Transfer to Transform currently sits at £850,000 in pledges, all of which will be distributed amongst SME’s across the region and used to upskill staff and develop the individuals enrolling in apprenticeship standards.

For more information on how to pledge to Transfer to Transform visit the Solent Apprenticeship Hub

- END -

For more info on B&Q please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693

For more information on Transfer to Transform and the Solent Apprenticeship Hub please head to the Transfer to Transform web page on the Solent Apprenticeship Hub website: www.solentapprenticeshiphub.com/transfer-to-transform

Alternatively email: hello@solentapprenticeshiphub.com or contact them through social media;

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/solent-apprenticeship-hub/
• Twitter - @solentapprenti1
• Facebook - https://en-gb.facebook.com/pg/solentapprenticeshiphub/posts/

HOW TO UPDATE YOUR KITCHEN WITH PATTERNED TILES

Making updates to your kitchen might seem like a daunting task but luckily there are many easy-to-manage projects that can instantly give your space a new lease of life!

Mixing flooring types is one of the most popular flooring trends of this year, and adding patterned tiles to an area in your kitchen can help to add character to the room. Laura Dollimore, Head of Decorative, Flooring and Tiling at B&Q, shares a step by step guide to make the process hassle-free.

Step 1: First things first, planning! Start by deciding how much of your space you want to tile. Just as if you were tiling the entire room, you’ll want to start from a central point and work your way out to each corner of the space. The space you want to tile also needs to be even, flat, dry and free from damp. If you’ve had other tiles or sheet flooring, you’ll need to remove any adhesive from the floor before beginning. If your floor requires levelling, opt for either floor levelling compound or tile backer boards.

Step 2: Next, find the centre point of the area you will be tiling. To do this, measure one wall, calculate its midpoint and mark this on the floor. Then repeat with other wall or edge. Next, find yourself a helper draw a line between the two points.

Then create two marks on the line, each one metre from the mid-point. Next, tie one metre of string to a pencil. Hold the end of the string on the first of the two marks and draw two sets of arches at a 45° on the floor. Repeat on the other side. If you draw a straight line between the centre of these two arcs and you’ll have a perfect 90° angle in the centre of your space!

Step 3: Starting at the position you’ve just marked out, use a gauging trowel to place tile adhesive on the floor, and then a notched trowel to spread this across an area of approximately 1m². The size of the notched trowel you’ll need will depend on how even your floor is, for more uneven surfaces you’ll need bigger notches. Use the smooth side to spread the tile adhesive on the floor, and then draw the serrated edge back through the adhesive to form ridges. This will leave an even depth of adhesive to help create a level surface for your tiles.

Step 4: Now it’s time to start laying your tiles. Place your first tile firmly into the adhesive against your 90° degree line using a twisting action to bed it into the adhesive. Repeat this process with the next tile placing tile spacers between each tile to ensure they’re evenly spaced. Be sure to press the spacers well below the surface of the tile so that they’ll be hidden once your floor is grouted.

Step 5: Repeat this process until you have finished laying all of your tiles. Occasionally, check the tiles are flat with a spirit level. Don’t worry if they’re not – just grab a rubber mallet and tap them lightly to level them.

Top tip: if any tile adhesive makes its way onto the tile face wipe it down with a damp cloth while it’s still damp – it’s much harder to remove once it is set.

Step 6: To fill any gaps between the last whole tile and the wall, you’ll need to measure and cut some tiles. A good way to do this is to lay the tile that needs to be cut directly on top of the nearest whole tile to the wall. Then lay another tile on top, using this as a template. Position a couple of tile spacers flat against the wall and push the top tile right up to the wall. Use a tile marker to mark the tile beneath – don’t forget to account for space for grouting.

Step 7: Floor tiles are heavier and tougher than wall tiles, so you’ll need a heavy-duty tile cutter to cut them. Wear goggles and gloves and use either a flatbed tile cutter to cut along the marked line. If any there rough edges left after cutting, smooth these out using a tile file.

Step 8: Once the adhesive has set, you can start grouting. First, remove any dust or debris from the surface, and check that no tile spacers are sticking up. Then use the gauging trowel to remove the grout from the tub and then work it into the tile joints using a grout float until the grout is level with the surface of the tile, covering all of the spacers.

Step 9: After you’ve grouted several rows, smooth the joints out using a grout finisher to compact the grout and leave a clean and tidy finish. Wipe any extra grout on the surface of the tiles using a damp sponge before it begins to set.

Step 10: Finally, seal around the edges of your space with a flexible sealant that matches the grout. This will help accommodate for any movement or expansion between the wall and the floor. Work from one end of the skirting to the other and apply a continuous bead of sealant, keeping a steady pressure and speed.

Toolkit:

• Magnusson Bridge Spirit level, (L)0.6m, £9.97
• Magnusson Tape measure, 5m, £4.97
• Magnusson 16oz Black Rubber Mallet, £4.98
• Mac Allister 400mm Manual Tile cutter, £29.95
• Stanley Yellow & black Chalk, Set, £14.87
• Vitrex Finishing Trowel (L)303mm (W)115mm, £9.90
• Mac Allister Finishing Trowel (L)280mm (W)120mm, £9.98
• Vitrex 230mm Grout float, £6.49
• Vitrex Standard Grout finisher, £1.99
• Diall Heavy duty Aluminium & plastic Cartridge gun Piece, £4.70
• Diall Smoothing Sealant Tool, £1.32

- END -

Notes for Editors:

For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.

About B&Q:

• B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across over 40,000 products in 296* stores across the UK and on diy.com
• Their team of more than 16,221*‡ colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
• Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities undertaking home improvement projects and raising money to fund Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit B&Q in the Community
• B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,300 stores in 10 countries across Europe, Russia and Turkey.

HOW TO CREATE AN UPCYCLED MOSAIC TABLE

• Craig Collins, Market Manager for Paint at B&Q shares his tips on how to upcycle a table using coloured emulsion and a selection of tiles
• B&Q is offering a fantastic 3 for 2 offer on coloured emulsion paint, available instore and online from 7th – 24th February

We all have that odd side table or spare chair that doesn’t quite fit with the rest of the furniture in our home, but before you get rid of it or hide it away in a spare room, think about ways you could give it a new lease of life!

While many may think of upcycling as a challenging process, there are many projects are much simpler and cost effective than you might think, especially with 3 for 2 deals on coloured emulsion from B&Q. Craig Collins, Head of Category, Paint & Lighting at B&Q, shares his tips on how to give an old side table some flair with this easy guide:

Step 1: Start by carefully checking the table for and scuffs or scrapes, as well as any rough patches of wood. Carefully sand these areas down using either an orbital sander or medium grit sandpaper to give you a completely smooth finish. Make sure to pay close attention to any hard to reach areas, such as decorative legs to make sure any remaining glossy finish is removed.

Step 2: Next, it’s time to create a border for your mosaic to sit in. First, you’ll need to decide how large you want your mosaic centrepiece to be, then, using a tape measure and a pencil measure and mark out four lengths of trimming to create your border.

Once you’ve measured out these pieces of trimming, reach for a mitre box and a fine-tooth saw to help you cut your borders to size at a perfect 45 ° angle.

Step 3: Now’s the time to get your trimming fixed into place. Carefully line up your trimmings and then, one at a time; gently tack them into place using lost head nails and a hammer.

Step 4: Once the borders are in place, it’s time to give your table a fresh lick of paint. Opting for a self-priming paint will help to make the application process easier. Mix your paint thoroughly and apply a thin even layer. Make sure to give your first coat enough time to dry before applying a second coat.

Finally, once your second coat is dry, finish with a coat of furniture lacquer to help seal and protect your newly painted surface.

Step 5: While your lacquer is drying you can get started on one of the most exciting element of this project, creating your own mosaic tiles! For larger, more irregular shaped tiles, grab a claw hammer and rubble sack, place your tile inside the bag and give it a gentle tap with a hammer to break it into 3 - 4 pieces.

To create more even, precise shapes, you can use tile nippers; just make sure you have safety goggles to protect your eyes, thick gloves, and a bucket to catch any loose clippings.

Step 6: It’s time to get creative! Use your assortment of mosaic tiles to create a pattern on the top of your table. Once you’re happy with your design, mix up your tile adhesive and apply a small amount to the back of each tile one by one, pressing them down to create an even surface.

Step 7: Once your adhesive is fully dry it’s time to mix up and apply some grout. Make sure to wear latex gloves, and be careful of any sharp edges as you press the grout down into the gaps in between your tiles. Remove any excess grout before it begins to set. Finally, once the grout is dry, take a damp sponge and wipe it across the top of your design to clear away any excess.

You’re all done! Top tip: make sure to leave your table out overnight so the grout dries fully before putting anything on top of it.

Toolkit

To sand your table:

• Mac Allister Corded 160W 220-240V Detail sander MSDLS160, £20
• Ryobi Mixed grit Palm Sanding sheet (L)110mm (W)110mm, Pack of 20, £12.85

OR

• Diall 80 Grit Medium Sandpaper sheet, Pack of 4, £3.50

To cut your tiles:

• Vitrex Manual Tile cutter, £12.99
• Magnusson Claw Hammer, £11.97

To paint your table:

• Harris Precision tip Paint brush (W)2", £6.47

To trim the borders:

• Magnusson Fine cut & clean Tenon saw, 12 TPI, £8.50
• Plastic Mitre box, £6.70

Safety equipment:

• JSP Safety goggles, £5.73
• B&Q Chainsaw gloves, £15.53

- END -

Notes for Editors:

You can find the full guide on how to create an upcycled mosaic table here

For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.

About B&Q:

• B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across over 40,000 products in 296* stores across the UK and on diy.com

• Their team of more than 16,221*‡ colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.

• Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities undertaking home improvement projects and raising money to fund Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit https://www.diy.com/corporate/community

• B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,300 stores in 10 countries across Europe, Russia and Turkey.

*Data correct: 19 February 2020

‡ Full time equivalent

B&Q ANNOUNCES 123 NEW GRADUATES IN FIRST WAVE OF APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME

• 123 apprentices graduated from the scheme launched by the retailer in 2017
• B&Q has recently expanded the range of apprenticeships it offers and aims to have over 1,100 colleagues taking part in apprenticeships by May 2020

3 February 2020 – Apprentices aged between 61 and 20 are amongst the 123 apprentices to graduate from B&Q’s Retail Team Leader, Level Three apprenticeship scheme, after successfully completing the eighteen-month store-based course. This is the first wave of B&Q apprentices to graduate, with more than 600 others scheduled to complete apprenticeships by the end of this year.

The apprenticeship graduation ceremony was a celebration of success for the apprentices and took place at the Manufacturing and Technology Centre in Coventry on Thursday. The event was also attended by B&Q CEO Graham Bell, B&Q Retail Director Paul Crisp and Andy Moat, B&Q People Director, all of whom co-hosted the event and offered their congratulations and support to the new graduates. Ollie Ollerton, former Special Forces operative with both the SAS and SBS and from the Channel 4 television show SAS Who Dares Wins, also attended the event as celebrity guest speaker.

As well as receiving a recognised qualification, the graduates also received a completion certificate and a Class of 2019 commemorative badge. The event saw eight additional awards handed out, five of which were given to apprentices from across the UK who had clearly and continuously demonstrated B&Q’s brand values; Together, Simplicity, Humility, Curiosity and Excellence. In addition, two special recognition awards were awarded for Apprenticeship Ambassador and Can Do Sprit, there was also an award for the mentor who had gone above and beyond to support their apprentices.

Launched in 2017 and supported and facilitated by Lifetime Training, the Retail Team Leader, Level Three apprenticeship scheme aims to gives B&Q store colleagues the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to be successful in their role and equip them with essential life skills. With apprentices aging from 20 through to 61 years old, the scheme is one of the most age diverse in the industry and is part of the retailer’s ongoing commitment to making B&Q a great place to work.

B&Q believe there are clear links and benefits between learning, engaged employees and ultimately, productivity, with stores where staff are committed to learning found to be some of the best performing. Since the launch of the store-based apprenticeships in 2017, further apprenticeships have been added across the business with 28 additional schemes including business management and leadership, legal, finance, HR and IT.

Paul Crisp, Retail Director at B&Q commented: “We’re delighted to see our first wave of B&Q apprentices graduate and applaud them for all of their hard work and dedication throughout the duration of the course. Our colleagues are the beating heart of B&Q, and we‘re committed to their growth and development as part of our commitment to make B&Q a great place to work. That’s why we’ve expanded the range of apprenticeships we offer, and by May 2020, we’re aiming to have 1,100 colleague apprentices in the business. It’s a fantastic opportunity for people from all walks of life to enjoy a career with us in a sector they’re passionate about.”

Aimee Edwards, Winner of the B&Q Apprenticeship Ambassador Award, commented: “It’s a proud event for all the apprentices graduating, and I’m thrilled to have been a part of the first wave at B&Q - winning the B&Q Apprenticeship Ambassador Award is a bonus! Throughout the course, I’ve learned invaluable skills and thoroughly enjoyed being able to put everything I’ve learned into practice, both during my time as an apprentice and in my new role as I develop my career following my recent promotion to a management position.”

- END -

For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.

ABOUT B&Q

• B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across over 40,000 products in 296* stores across the UK and on diy.com

• Their team of more than 16,221*‡ colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.

• Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities undertaking home improvement projects and raising money to fund Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit B&Q in the Community

• B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,300 stores in 9 countries across Europe, Russia and Turkey.

*Data correct:31 January 2019

‡ Full time equivalent

B&Q OPENS THE DOORS TO ITS NEW STORE IN MERTON

B&Q, the UK’s leading home improvement retailer, has today launched its new convenience store in the Nelson Industrial Estate with a morning of celebrations, giveaways and special guests.

Radio Jackie presenter Eddie Castle kicked off the celebrations at 8am with special promotions and competitions across the store, including the opportunity to win gift cards up to the value of £100.

The B&Q Merton team were joined by Deen City Farm, the local community farm that won the store’s community champion competition earlier this month. The charity works to educate about the local environment and where food comes through school visits and holiday schemes.

Deen City Farm has been working to upgrade its baby change and breastfeeding room, currently through self-sourcing and upcycling materials. The farm’s Caretaker, Richard Hogan, has undertaken much of this work in his own time. To highlight the incredible work the charity has been doing across Merton, B&Q donated a £500 gift card towards the project and invited them to cut the ribbon at its opening celebration.

Greg Gluchy, Unit Manager at B&Q Merton said: “We had a great morning celebrating the opening with our team and the local community. It was the perfect opportunity to get to know some of our customers and reveal some of the amazing products we have in store, as well as provide inspiration for their restoration projects.

“Throughout the event the Radio Jackie team gave away £500 worth of gift cards to lots of happy customers and we were really pleased to be joined by our new charity champion, Deen City Farm, to help us cut the ribbon and officially open the store. They do a wonderful job in Merton and we can’t wait to see the results of their renovated baby change and breastfeeding room. We look forward to welcoming more people to our store over the coming weeks and hope to see you soon!”

The team of 25 colleagues is on hand to support customers with all their DIY needs. As well as helping to plan larger projects like kitchens and bathrooms, they can provide advice on completing home renovation projects – from the tools and products needed, to getting guidance and inspiration from B&Q.

The 13,000 sq. ft space provides a compact, modern and fresh store for customers to explore over 6,000 products, with an additional 40,000 products available for home delivery or click and collect (many from next day). The showroom features B&Q’s latest kitchen, bathroom, tiling and flooring ranges; there’s a paint mixing service and a great range of brands available; all of your DIY tools and essentials are stocked; and the indoor and outdoor plants will help bring the outdoors into your home.

The store offers the same benefits of B&Q Club and TradePoint membership to Merton customers. The B&Q Club is open to all customers, while trade customers can join the TradePoint scheme, which offers free membership and exclusive discounts to trade professionals.

The new B&Q Merton store is located at Nelson Industrial Estate, The Path, South Wimbledon, London, SW19 3BL and will be open Monday-Saturday, 7am-8pm, and on Sunday, 10am-4pm.

For more information, including inspirational ideas and practical advice on home improvement, visit DIY.com

- END -

For more information, please contact Hannah Keddie or Holly Broadway at Grayling: 02380 382970 / bandq@grayling.com

ABOUT B&Q

• B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across over 40,000 products in 296* stores across the UK and on diy.com

• Their team of more than 16,221*‡ colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.

• Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities undertaking home improvement projects and raising money to fund Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit https://www.diy.com/corporate/community

• B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,300 stores in 10 countries across Europe, Russia and Turkey.

GREAT SAVINGS ON B&Q KITCHEN SINKS, TAPS AND APPLIANCES THIS JANUARY

• B&Q is offering 20% off kitchen sinks, taps and appliances when you spend £2,500 or more on a kitchen.
• Offer will run from 20th January until 2nd February and is available in store.

Monday 20th January: For those thinking of kicking off their 2020 with a new kitchen, B&Q is offering 20% off kitchen sinks, taps and appliances when you spend over £2,500 on a kitchen in store. To coincide with this great offer, B&Q have compiled a list of the hottest accessories on offer at the moment.

Tip Top Taps Brass kitchen taps are on trend for 2020 and have risen in popularity recently. Looking best in dark kitchens, B&Q suggests using stormy shades with industrial lighting and bronze handles to give the kitchen a modern look.

• GoodHome Kamut Sprint Neck Tap Satin Bronze Effect, was £197, now £157.60
• GoodHome Filbert Brass Effect Kitchen Side Lever Mixer Tap, was £127, now £101.60

Everything including the kitchen sink

The Romesco is an innovative, smartly designed sink which doubles up as a space-saving multifunctional work area. The perfect choice for even the smallest of kitchens, the Romesco comes in silver or black colour options.

• GoodHome Romesco Stainless steel 1 Bowl Sink, £120
• GoodHome Romesco Black Composite quartz 1.5 Bowl Sink, £200

Wok it out with appliances

Appliances are the focal point of every kitchen, so they need to stand out, be fuss-free and easy to use. Luckily, B&Q are on hand to help. The GoodHome Bamia appliances offer a range of intuitive features that make cooking easier and are energy efficient too. The range also uses smart technology to make cooking as simple as possible.

• GoodHome Bamia Built in Oven, was £784, now £598.40
• GoodHome Bamia Smart Cooker Hood, was £398, now £318.40
• GoodHome Bamia Zone Black Ceramic Glass Induction Hob, was £398, now £318.40

All of these products and more are available in the deal. The discount is valid in store orders only and will run from 20th January until 2nd February so you’ll need to be quick to snap up the great savings.

Visit your local B&Q store and find out more at https://www.diy.com/ https://www.diy.com/find-a-store.

- END -

For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Featured products include:

• GoodHome Kamut Sprint Neck Tap Satin Bronze Effect, was £197, now £157.60
• GoodHome Filbert Brass Effect Kitchen Side Lever Mixer Tap, was £127, now £101.60
• GoodHome Romesco Stainless steel 1 Bowl Sink, £120
• GoodHome Romesco Black Composite quartz 1.5 Bowl Sink, £200
• GoodHome Bamia Built in Oven, was £784, now £598.40
• GoodHome Bamia Smart Cooker Hood, was £398, now £318.40
• GoodHome Bamia Zone Black Ceramic Glass Induction Hob, was £398, now £318.40

ABOUT B&Q

• B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across over 40,000 products in 296* stores across the UK and on diy.com

• Their team of more than 16,221*‡ colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.

• Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities undertaking home improvement projects and raising money to fund Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit https://www.diy.com/corporate/community

• B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,300 stores in 10 countries across Europe, Russia and Turkey.

• Data correct:31 January 2019

‡ Full time equivalent

LIGHT IT UP THIS JANUARY GREAT SAVINGS ACROSS ALL INDOOR LIGHTING AT B&Q

• B&Q is offering a fantastic 20% off all indoor lighting
• Available instore and online from 17th to 27th January 2020

FRIDAY 17TH NOVEMBER: B&Q is brightening up January by offering a fantastic 20% off indoor lighting.

Whether you’re in need of replacing an old lamp or updating your ceiling lights, this deal covers all lighting. Some of our favourite options include:

• The Zoe Smokey Crystal Effect Light Shade which is a great choice for creating a distinctive look. Was £25, now £20.

• Alani Brushed Chrome Effect 3 Lamp Ceiling Light is perfect for anyone wanting to create a contemporary room feel. Was £62, now £49.60.

• Hadwick Twisted Matt Chrome Effect Table and Floor Lamp which are modern yet elegant. Table lamp was £35, now £28. Floor lamp was £52, now £41.60.

The offer will be running from 17th - 27th January so you’ll need to be quick to snap up this great deal.

Deal does not include lightbulbs.

Visit your local B&Q store to view the range and find out more at https://www.diy.com/ https://www.diy.com/find-a-store.

- END -

For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.

NOTES TO EDITORS Featured products include:

• Zoe Smokey Crystal Effect Light Shade, £25

• Colours Hadwick Twisted Matt Chrome Effect Table lamp, £35

• Colours Hadwick Twisted Matt Chrome Effect Halogen Floor lamp, £52

ABOUT B&Q

• B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across over 40,000 products in 296* stores across the UK and on diy.com

• Their team of more than 16,221*‡ colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.

• Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities undertaking home improvement projects and raising money to fund Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit https://www.diy.com/corporate/community

• B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,300 stores in 10 countries across Europe, Russia and Turkey.

*Data correct:31 January 2019

‡ Full time equivalent

B&Q PREDICTS FIVE HOT KITCHEN TRENDS FOR 2020 – INCLUDING THE MIDNIGHT BLUE KITCHEN

• Launched to celebrate the home improvement brand’s first new kitchen range in over ten years, B&Q’s 2020 Kitchen Trends Report, predicts the rise of the midnight blue kitchen
• The five predictions feature Pinterest insights into what Brits have been searching over the past year as they look for kitchen inspiration and plan their home improvements
• B&Q’s new range of 26 kitchens includes new appliances, surfaces, taps, sinks, storage solutions and accessories – all at affordable prices

To celebrate the launch of its first new kitchen range in over ten years, B&Q has predicted the top five kitchen trends for 2020. Compiled by B&Q’s experts and reflected in Pinterest insights for searches over the past year, B&Q’s 2020 Kitchen Trends Report’s predictions include the rise of the ‘Midnight Blue’ kitchen, red wine inspired kitchens, dubbed ‘Merlot Magic’, and kitchens featuring natural looking materials, or ‘The Stone Age’ kitchen.

Based on what Pinterest users in the UK searched for over the past year, 2020 will see Brits embrace the dark side, with searches in 2019 for ‘navy’ or ‘midnight blue’ kitchens increasing by 45%, and thanks to B&Q’s new affordable artemisia range, the trend is predicted to continue to increase in popularity.

Interiors fans inspired by this year’s trends will find everything they need to get their kitchen bang on trend with B&Q’s affordable new kitchen range. With customers able to purchase everything they need for their kitchen project at B&Q – from kitchen cabinets and flooring, to lighting and paint – the updated range and offering helps make the process of renovating a kitchen simpler and easier.

Iain McColgan, Director of Showrooms at B&Q, explains: “This year’s trend report shows just how creative our customers can be when it comes to planning their dream kitchen – but they don’t need to worry about sacrificing substance for style. The new GoodHome Kitchen range, available exclusively at B&Q, has been designed to simplify everyday activities; from food preparation to cooking and cleaning so there’s no need to compromise on design, quality or price.”

Highlights from the new range include: + The GoodHome romesco sink which makes the most of even the smallest kitchen, thanks to space-saving accessories that turn sinks into multi-functional areas.

• The GoodHome tasuke integrated cabinet lighting which uses motion controls to turn lights on, off and switch between settings.

• GoodHome bamia appliances which include a range of intuitive features – the oven can be programmed to remember how to cook familiar meals and the cooker hoods can be paired to GoodHome bamia hobs with smart connectivity, auto-adjusting the extraction rate.

• The GoodHome caraway cabinets come in a variety of sizes that can be configured to make the most of any kitchen space, creating more accessible storage

• The GoodHome pebre pull out internal storage is designed to easily fit caraway cabinets, helping to efficiently store away items and make them easy to access when needed

• GoodHome soto drawers make the most of the available space with two depths (standard and deep), 100% opening, and soft-close build they are a useful addition to any kitchen.

• The GoodHome kora waste range makes recycling easy, convenient and stylish, with an array of compatible products designed to save floor space while making waste organisation and segregation effortless.

Available now at B&Q stores and online via diy.com, customers can book a design consultation or use B&Q’s unique kitchen visualiser tool to bring their dream kitchen to life in minutes.

Five Kitchens Trends for 2020

MERLOT MAGIC According to Pinterest insights, searches for ‘burgundy paint’ have risen by 75% in the last year, with ‘plum paint’ searches up by 35%. Wine-inspired kitchens are a warm, bold choice for 2020, especially for non-wallflowers looking to make a statement. Popular looks include pairing charcoal kitchen cabinets with deep, plummy tones or adding extra dramatic flair by giving your whole kitchen a bold refresh with cabernet-inspired cabinet paint. A deep carbon design, like our pasilla range, packs extra punch when partnered with plum-toned walls. If your kitchen just needs a quick refresh, simply pick a shade of cabernet and paint your existing cabinets.

Get the Look:

• GoodHome Durable Magome Matt Emulsion paint 2.5L, £16
• Pasilla Matt Carbon, from £1,498 For An 8-Unit Kitchen

THE STONE AGE It might be a new decade, but we’re certain that a kitchen inspired by natural materials will never date. Pinterest insights show an increase in searches on the platform such as ‘stone accessories’ (up 40%) and ‘natural kitchens’ (up 35%). Nodding to real stone but with a matt finish, our garcinia range is a versatile choice that won’t look out of place in a traditional or contemporary home.

Get the Look:

• Garcinia Matt Stone with Integrated Handles Kitchen, from £1,848 for an 8-unit kitchen

MIDNIGHT HUE The more sophisticated and dramatic colour choice when it comes to kitchens, midnight blue has been an emerging trend recently, but usually with a hefty price tag to match. However, with the introduction of affordable options, such as B&Q’s new artemisia kitchen, this stylish hue experienced a 45% uplift in Pinterest searches over the past year and we’re expecting its popularity to rise even further. The GoodHome artemisia range comes in a matt finish for a uniformed look. The smart shade stands out even more against light worktops and when paired with silver accents.

Get the Look:

• Artemisia Matt Midnight Blue Shaker, from £1,298 for an 8-unit kitchen

BOLD AS BRASS Dark kitchens and brass accents go hand-in-hand so it’s no surprise that Pinterest has seen an increase in searches for brass accessories such as lighting, taps and handles; searches for ‘brass taps’ have increased by 30% whilst ‘bronze taps’ searches have gone up by 40%. You can set off set stormy shades with industrial lighting or use taps and handles to give fixtures some depth.

Get the Look:

• GoodHome Kamut Spring Neck Tap Satin Bronze Effect, from £74
• GoodHome dukkah embossed brushed brass and antique brass effect handles, Pack of 2 £18
• GoodHome Filbert Brass effect Kitchen Side lever Mixer tap, from £127
• GoodHome Saffron Gold Brass effect Cabinet handle (L)12mm, Pack of 2, £5
• GoodHome Gomasio Brass effect Cabinet handle (L)26mm, Pack of 2, £6

SHOW OFF SHELVING If you’ve ever needed convincing to expose what’s in your cabinets, 2020 is the time to bare utensils and crockery alike with Pinterest searches such as ‘statement shelving’ on the increase (up 30%). From open shelving to glazed doors with integrated lighting, experiment with stacking bowls and plates, as well as neat arrangements of ornaments and books for good measure.

Get the Look:

• GoodHome Tasuke Integrated Lighting, from £24
• GoodHome Artemisia Matt white classic shaker Moulded curve Glazed Cabinet door, from £95

-ENDS-

For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Methodology Pinterest trend insights are calculated using normalised searches from November 2018 to November 2019.

About B&Q

• B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across over 40,000 products in 296* stores across the UK and on diy.com

• Their team of more than 16,221*‡ colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.

• Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities undertaking home improvement projects and raising money to fund Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit https://www.diy.com/corporate/community

• B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,300 stores in 10 countries across Europe, Russia and Turkey.

*Data correct:31 January 2019

‡ Full time equivalent

About GoodHome GoodHome is a new home improvement brand which provides a new, simpler way of doing things for home improvers, their helpers and the pros. Available exclusively at B&Q, it will offer unique products and solutions that are design-led, high quality and well-priced, and help to make home improvement accessible for everyone.

About Pinterest Pinterest is a visual discovery engine you use to find ideas for your life including dinner recipes, home and style inspiration, and more. People have saved more than 200 billion ideas across a range of categories, which others with similar tastes can discover through search and recommendations. Located in San Francisco, Pinterest launched in 2010 and now has +320 million monthly users around the world. Available on iOS and Android, and at pinterest.com.

B&Q NAMED THE CHEAPEST PLACE TO BUY A KITCHEN FOR THIRD YEAR RUNNING

• Kitchen Compare announce results following their seventh year of kitchen price and quality monitoring

• B&Q’s all year-round low pricing strategy earns them the title of ‘Lowest priced National DIY Retailer of Kitchens’ for the third year in a row

LONDON - UNDER EMBARGO UNTIL 00:01, 20th December: Comparison website, Kitchen Compare, today announced that B&Q has been named ‘Lowest Priced National DIY Retailer of Kitchens 2019’ for a third year running, beating rivals including, Homebase and Wickes.

The accolade has been awarded to B&Q for consistently having the lowest priced kitchens throughout 2019. The results follow Kitchen Compare’s meticulous daily activity monitoring and recording the prices, finance deals and promotional activity of directly comparable kitchens sold by UK’s DIY retailers every single day in 2019.

Kitchen Compare’s analysis takes a unique directly comparable 8-unit ‘Galley’ model, consisting of 50 individual components, across 34 different styles, sold across a variety of retailers and records the prices daily throughout the year. At the end of 2019, price data is analysed to establish which retailer’s prices were the lowest across the comparable styles.

The data showed B&Q had more than double as many comparable, lowest priced kitchens as its closest competitors - scooping the award across 12 kitchens, compared to Homebase’s two, and Wickes’ 3.

Steve Collinge, Managing Director at Kitchen-Compare.com said “It’s our mission to make it as easy and transparent as possible for shoppers to purchase their dream kitchen. Every day we monitor the activity of the UK’s leading kitchen retailers, including tracking the individual component prices of comparable kitchen styles. As a result, we have the most robust possible data which allows us to confirm with certainty that B&Q are consistently outperforming competitors, including Homebase, and Wickes, to offer the lowest priced kitchens.”

Iain McColgan, Director of Showrooms at B&Q, said “We’re thrilled to be independently recognised for offering customers the best value kitchens for the third year in a row, and the news follows the recent launch of a new range of GoodHome kitchens – the first for over 10 years.

At B&Q, we’re committed to helping customers create their dream home at an affordable price, delivering value with year round low prices across all home improvement products.”

- ENDS -
NOTES TO THE EDITOR For more information please contact Steve Collinge on Steve@irg.co.uk / 07831 562803.

ABOUT KITCHEN COMPARE Kitchen-compare.com is an independent website on a mission to demystify the kitchen market and make it easier for people to find their dream kitchen at the right price. Kitchen Compare’s team of experts have all worked in the Home Improvement industry for many years, so consumers can rely on their experience to help them get the best deal. Choosing a new kitchen can be both an exciting and daunting experience and at Kitchen Compare aim is to make the buying process simpler, easier and quicker.

ABOUT KITCHEN COMPARE CALCULATIONS Kitchen-Compare.com calculates total price for each kitchen by adding up components used to make up the typical eight-unit kitchen for comparable designs sold by the UK’s national DIY retailers, which includes: B&Q, Wickes, Homebase, Wren, Magnet, IKEA and John Lewis.

Initial visual analysis of the products takes place to determine if the kitchens are comparable in terms of their colour and appearance. This allows comparison to take account of kitchens across a range of price points from entry level to most premium kitchens. These prices are monitored and recorded throughout the year. For more information, visit https://www.kitchen-compare.com.

DECK THE HALLS WITH INCREDIBLE SAVINGS ON B&Q’S CHRTISTMAS RANGE

• B&Q is offering 20% off selected products across its Christmas range from 6th December, just in time for the festive season!

6th December, 2019 – B&Q is giving the nation all they need to make their homes magical this Christmas, with 20% off selected products in the Christmas range. This fantastic deal includes all Christmas lights, decorations and stockings as well as all artificial Christmas trees and wreaths - meaning you can deck the halls from top to toe at a fraction of the price.

The offer runs from Friday 6th December - Thursday 10th December and includes:

• 20% off all Christmas lights
• 20% off all artificial Christmas trees
• 20% off all Christmas decorations
• 20% off all artificial wreaths
• 20% off all stockings
• 20% off all sacks
• 20% off all Christmas animated characters and inflatables
• 20% off all wrapping paper

An essential product that is sure to impress guests’ year after year is the 5ft Eiger Artificial Christmas tree (was £24, now £19.20). This incredibly life-like tree looks and feels just like the real thing but has the added benefit of never shedding needles and always appearing as fresh and as bright as it was first purchased. Lightweight and super-easy to store, this tree is perfect for those looking to brighten up their living rooms this Christmas without the hassle of having to worry about mess or appearance!

Examples of great savings include:

• 120 LED Lights, was £9, now £7.20
• 20 Warm White LED Star Wire String lights, was £4, now £3.20
• Warm white LED Sausage dog Silhouette, was £15, now £12
• Ice white LED Pop up dog Silhouette, was £37, now £29.60

Visit your local B&Q store to view the range.

ENDS

For more information please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.

Notes to Editors

• More information on B&Q deals and offers can be accessed via www.diy.com or your nearest B&Q store.

ABOUT B&Q

B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across 40,000 products in 300 stores across the UK and on diy.com

Their team of more than 27,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.

Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing.

B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,200 stores in 10 countries across Europe.

JINGLE ALL THE WAY - KIDS REVEAL THEIR WISH LIST FOR A MAGICAL CHRISTMAS

• Research reveals that hundreds of presents, snow on Christmas morning and a HUGE Christmas tree with lots of baubles tops the list for children’s perfect Christmas
• B&Q is encouraging parents to put their kids in charge of decorating this year

15th November, 2019: Chocolate for breakfast, a gigantic Christmas tree with lots of baubles, and presents every hour top the list for a dream Christmas - according to children, aged 6 to 12, in the UK.

The study, commissioned by B&Q to encourage parents to hand over the (sleigh) reins to their kids this Christmas, also revealed that waking up before 7am - to a packed stocking, and snow - would make the big day extra special.

Almost one fifth (18%) of kids would choose a multi-coloured tree if they had their way, with a third opting for novelty unicorn decorations.

When it comes to decorating, colour is a must, with more than half of children (61%) saying they would choose colourful baubles and just under half (48%) opting for colourful lights if they were in charge this Christmas.

On the flip side, B&Q’s research revealed parents have very different ideas on how Christmas décor should look. On average, parents admit to choosing a more sensible sized 6ft tree despite their kids pester power, with almost two fifths (39%) claim to have a specific colour scheme for their Christmas tree.

It seems parents are precious when it comes to festive décor, with more than a quarter (27%) admitting to having a separate second Christmas tree for their children to decorate with a fifth (25%) confessing to sneakily tidying up the decorations on the tree once the kids had gone to bed!

Almost a quarter (24%) of children worry that Santa might miss their house if there are no lights outside - which may be why they want an average of six lit Christmas characters outside their house, compared to a third of parents not wanting any at all.

B&Q’s research also revealed that less than a third (31%) of children are allowed to help choose the Christmas tree, with adults looking to their partner for a helping hand when it comes to picking out the perfect spruce. This might explain why more than one in ten (15%) children think Christmas trees come straight from the North Pole!

Kam Dhillon, Category Manager for Christmas at B&Q, said: “Christmas is an exciting time for children, and this year we’re encouraging parents and grandparents alike to put the kids in charge – to let them have their say in decorating the home, so they can make Christmas really magical.

Whether it’s choosing the tallest tree, most colourful baubles or twinkliest lights, shoppers can pick up everything they to bring the magic home this Christmas at B&Q, in store or on diy.com.”

The top 12 wonders for a magical Christmas according to kids are:

1. Hundreds of presents underneath the tree (54%)
2. Chocolate for breakfast (53%)
3. Snow on Christmas day (52%)
4. Playing with toys all day (51%)
5. Spending time with family (44%)
6. A packed stocking (44%)
7. Staying in pyjamas all day (42%)
8. Christmas lights all over the house (41%)
9. Presents every hour (40%)
10. A visit from Father Christmas (39%)
11. A gigantic Christmas tree with lots of baubles (37%)
12. Decorating the tree the way you want it (36%)

-ENDS-

For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.

NOTES TO EDITORS

*Research conducted by OnePoll in November 2019 – 2000 respondents (1000 Parents + 1000 Children, UK Parents of 6-12 year olds who celebrate Christmas and their children)

Watch the Kids in Charge of Christmas video here

ABOUT B&Q

• B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across 40,000 products in 300 stores across the UK and on diy.com
• Their team of more than 27,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
• Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing.
• B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,200 stores in 10 countries across Europe.

CHRISTMAS MAGIC AT THE ANNUAL TREE HARVEST

• As the harvest begins, a quarter of a million trees will be harvested in a sustainable way, with more trees planted than are cut down.
• It takes a team of around 100 to complete the harvest
• B&Q’s range of real Christmas trees are arriving in-store now, and start from £19

Where the magic happens: The sun rises on the annual Christmas tree harvest in Aberdeenshire, marking the start of the magical festive season as trees are prepared for sale in B&Q stores across the UK

18th November 2019: From the onset of Christmas ads to mince pies on shelves, it’s safe to say Christmas has officially begun, which means it’s time to start thinking about the Christmas tree! As the sun rises on the start of the Christmas tree harvest in Aberdeenshire, a specialist team of growers begin the merry task of preparing the nation’s trees for sale in B&Q stores across the country.

The harvest sees a quarter of a million trees harvested in a sustainable way, with more trees planted than are cut down. A slick operation, the harvest requires meticulous planning to ensure the nation’s trees arrive right in time for the festivities.

Whilst the first arrival marks the start of the season, the harvest continues throughout November, with work peaking as the nation starts to reach for the mince pies! The Nordman Fir trees typically arrive in B&Q stores within two weeks of being cut down – perfectly fresh for shoppers looking to bring the magic home this season.

A story that starts well before the trees are collected from store, for many the journey of their Christmas tree is a tale untold:

• Once planted, trees take between six to ten years to grow. You can tell how old a Christmas tree is approximately by adding two years to the height in foot, for example, a 7ft tree would be around 9 years old
• To make sure they always look their finest when they arrive in store, all trees are left in the cold when cut down
• An insider tip! Trees start ageing as soon as they warm up, meaning trees cut at the start of the harvest will look just as fresh as those cut in December if kept outside, meaning customers should shop early for their pick of the crop!
• No tree goes to waste - if a tree isn’t quite ready (B&Q calls these ‘naughty trees’) it is kept planted for another year and nurtured until it is ready for sale in store

Kam Dhillon, B&Q’s Christmas Category Manager, explains: “It’s our mission at B&Q to help shoppers bring the magic home at Christmas, offering a variety of sustainably grown Christmas trees. What’s more, all of our trees are grown almost entirely in the UK, meaning customers can enjoy the festivities with peace of mind.

The annual harvest truly is a magical time of year, with the trees carefully nurtured for up to a decade until they are ready to fulfil their Christmas destiny.”

B&Q’s range of real Christmas trees are arriving in store now, and start from £19. To find out more about B&Q’s magical range of Christmas trees, real and artificial, and decorations log onto www.diy.com.

-ENDS-

Notes to editors:

[1] B&Q’s range of real Christmas trees are arriving in-store now, with the full range available by Friday, and start from £19. £19 price refers to a small Norway spruce

[2] iBid

For more information please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk or 0207 932 3693.

About B&Q

• B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across 40,000 products in 300 stores across the UK and on diy.com.
• Their team of more than 27,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
• Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing.
• B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,200 stores in 10 countries across Europe.
• For more information about B&Q please visit https://www.diy.com/corporate/about/

MILLIONS OF BRITS ARE ALREADY PREPPING THEIR HOMES FOR CHRISTMAS

Replacing the toilet seat, hanging curtains and installing extra storage are on the to-do list ahead of the holidays Brits start thinking about home improvements ahead of Christmas as early as October More than half of Brits plan to ‘pull out all the stops’ to win guests over with painting and replacing the toilet seat on the DIY Christmas to do to list.

14th November, 2019 – Millions of Brits are already prepping their home for Christmas, with home improvement jobs such as replacing the toilet seat and installing extra storage high on the agenda, a study from B&Q has revealed.

The research also uncovered that before Brits even think about getting the festive decorations down from the loft many are looking at other areas of their home to improve in the run up to Christmas day.

Overall, an average of three hours will be spent tidying the house and two hours decorating and prepping, such as hanging photos and painting walls.

What’s more, B&Q’s research revealed a quarter believe it's important to have a well presented home if they're hosting Christmas. As a result, more than half (53%) of Brits admit they will be 'pulling out all the stops’ and giving their homes a thorough festive fix up to win guests over. In fact, 62% of those polled via OnePoll said they make more of an effort to prepare their house for Christmas than they do for a traditional ‘spring clean’.

The top 12 jobs hosts plan on carrying out to get their homes ready for the Christmas period included:

1. Buying Christmas presents (43%)
2. Cleaning the bathroom (31%)
3. Hanging a wreath (24%)
4. Freshening up walls with a new coat of paint (22%)
5. Buying new Christmas decorations (22%)
6. Cleaning the window (24%)
7. Buying a Christmas tree (18%)
8. Buying Christmas decorations (18%)
9. Replacing light fixtures (13%)
10. Replacing light bulbs (13%)
11. Installing extra storage (12%)
12. Replacing the toilet seat (12%)

With many fix ups planned around the home at Christmas, some of Brits biggest priorities in the lead up to the big day include hanging curtains, installing insulation and putting up wallpaper.

B&Q’s research also revealed more than a sixth (18%) of Brits begin to think about home improvements as early as October, in comparison to four weeks prepping their festive decorations.

Kam Dhillon, Category Manager for Christmas for B&Q said:

“Hosting friends and family is one of the most magical parts of Christmas, which is why it’s important to have a home you’re proud to show off during the festive season.

We know people will have lots to do over Christmas, but there are lots of quick and easy ways to sort of those festive fix ups and have your home looking it's best for whatever you have planned

With Christmas just around the corner, there is no better time than the present to sort those little unfinished fix ups, and get your home for the festivities.

With our help and advice, it's easier than you think to get your home ready for Christmas, from the festive décor to that last minute replacement for the toilet seat, B&Q has hosts covered this holiday season.”

-ENDS-

NOTES TO EDITORS

For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.

ABOUT B&Q

• B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across 40,000 products in 300 stores across the UK and on [diy.com]
• Their team of more than 27,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
• Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing.
• B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,200 stores in 10 countries across Europe.

B&Q UNVEILS COMPLETELY NEW KITCHEN OFFERING

14TH NOVEMBER 2019: Today, B&Q unveiled its new kitchen offering - the first completely new range of kitchens to be launched by the home improvement brand in 10 years - as well as a new instore experience and digital tools to help customers create the kitchen of their dreams at an affordable price. With customers able to purchase everything they need for their kitchen project at B&Q – from kitchen cabinets and flooring, to lighting and paint – the updated range and offering helps make the process of renovating a kitchen simpler and easier.

Led by robust customer insight and designed around the five key kitchen activities - preparation, cooking, storage, cleaning, and eating – the new kitchen range makes it easier to create kitchens that both look good and provide a great space to cook and live in. The range is also designed to provide important practical features such as space, water and energy saving solutions.

Comprised of 26 new kitchen door ranges, in nine different styles, the range includes new appliances, worktops, taps, sinks, storage solutions and accessories that include handles, innovative under cabinet lighting and more – all at affordable price points.

The new kitchens at B&Q come with a longer guarantee - 25 years (was 10 years) and a range of flexible finance options, including 0% finance and buy now, pay later.

Housed under the new international GoodHome brand unveiled across Kingfisher stores earlier this year, the kitchens range is the third leading category to launch under the new brand following the GoodHome Bathrooms and GoodHome Interiors ranges which launched across Kingfisher’s major markets in June and September respectively.

Highlights of the new range include:

• Research shows that kitchens are getting smaller - in fact, six out of 10 are less than 12m2 – as a result, the range features appliances, storage, cabinets and more, with space in mind. The state-of-the-art romesco smart space sinks, for example, are ideal for creating a space-efficient and multifunctional work area, with an extra wide and deep bowl and clever integrated accessories.

• A good kitchen is technologically advanced and the new range is includes many innovative ideas like the GoodHome tasuke integrated cabinet lighting which uses motion controls to turn lights on, off, and switch between bright light and warm light without the hefty price tag.

• GoodHome products have been designed with sustainability in mind. The new GoodHome bamia appliances are energy efficient and offer a range of intuitive features including connected hobs and hoods that adjust the extraction rate to what’s cooking. All the wood used to make the GoodHome kitchen cabinets, fixtures and worktops is also FSC® or PEFCTM certified.

As well as the new range, B&Qs kitchen offering includes a new instore experience. The new kitchen showrooms, currently being rolled out across B&Q stores nationwide, enable customers to explore smart and compatible product solutions, be inspired by updated kitchen displays and take a look around Project Advice zones for ideas showing the best use of spaces. B&Q kitchen experts instore provide customers with personalised support with their kitchen planning.

The instore experience is enhanced by new online digital tools available on diy.com. Customers can use a new digital visualiser to see how the ranges will look in their own kitchen, book an appointment with an instore kitchen expert and review and plan their kitchen with an updated digital kitchen planning tool.

Iain McColgan Market Director for Kitchens at B&Q said “We’ve updated our offering to make it easier for our customers to plan and live in the kitchen of their dreams. The new GoodHome range of kitchens strengthens our position as the only retailer to offer customers everything they need for their kitchen project, from the kitchen cabinets and worktops, right through to the tiles and paint. With an updated instore experience and online tools such as the visualiser, a dream kitchen can now be a reality for our customers, all at an affordable price, and underwritten by a 25 year guarantee.”

The GoodHome kitchen range is available now online and instore. The new instore experience is currently being rolled out across B&Q stores nationwide.

ENDS

For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.

NOTES TO EDITORS

ABOUT B&Q + B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across 40,000 products in 300 stores across the UK and on diy.com + Their team of more than 27,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride. + Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing. + B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,300 stores in 10 countries across Europe.

About GoodHome GoodHome is our new home improvement brand and will provide a new, simpler way of doing things for home improvers, their helpers and the pros. It will offer unique products and solutions that are design-led, high quality and well-priced, and help to make home improvement accessible for everyone.

About Kingfisher plc Kingfisher plc is an international home improvement company with over 1,300 stores in 10 countries across Europe, supported by a team of 77,000 colleagues. We operate under four retail brands - B&Q, Castorama, Brico Dépôt and Screwfix. We offer DIY and home improvement products and services to nearly six million customers who shop in our stores and through our digital channels every week. Our customers are everyone wanting to improve their home, as well as the experts and trade professionals who help them. We believe everyone should have a home they feel good about, so our purpose is to make home improvement accessible for everyone. www.kingfisher.com

HIGH QUALITY DESIGN AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE - B&Q LAUNCHES STUNNING NEW KITCHEN RANGE

• The new collection includes 26 kitchen door ranges in nine different styles and comes with a 25 year guarantee

• The range also features new appliances, surfaces, taps, sinks, storage solutions and accessories – all at affordable prices

14TH NOVEMBER 2019: B&Q today unveiled a brand new kitchen range, the first major launch of kitchens by the home improvement retailer in over 10 years. The new collection, available instore and online, includes 26 kitchen door ranges in nine different styles, as well as new appliances, surfaces, taps, sinks, storage solutions and accessories – all at affordable prices.

With the exciting new launch, B&Q is still the only place where home improvers can get everything they need - from kitchen cabinets and flooring, to lighting and tiling - to complete their kitchen project, all under one roof.

Part of the GoodHome brand, launched earlier this year, and available exclusively at B&Q, the new kitchen range has been designed to simplify everyday activities, from food preparation to cooking, and cleaning. Preparation is made easier with high quality worktop solutions and adaptable accessories including magnetic utensil holders. Smart appliances make cooking simpler with familiar meal functionality and auto-adjust features, saving both time and energy. Clever solutions have also been created to keep the kitchen clean and tidy; from storage that makes use of every inch of space to durable, easy to clean surfaces. All GoodHome kitchens available at B&Q come with a 25 year guarantee and a range of flexible finance options, including 0% finance and buy now pay later, making it easier to create the kitchen of your dreams.

Iain McColgan, Category Director, Showrooms at B&Q explains “We know how important choosing a kitchen is for home improvers and with the launch of our brand new range – the first for over 10 years – there’s no need to compromise on design, quality or price. Designed to make it easier to plan and live in your dream kitchen, this new collection of 26 kitchens comes at affordable prices and with a 25 year guarantee. What’s more, at B&Q, we offer customers everything you need to complete a kitchen project – from the tiles and the paint, right through to the grouting and paint brushes – making it easier to create a kitchen that fits your home and lifestyle. ”

Available now at B&Q stores and online via diy.com, customers can book a design consultation or use B&Q’s unique kitchen visualiser tool to bring their dream kitchen to life in minutes.

STYLE HIGHLIGHTS FROM NEW GOODHOME FITTED KITCHENS AT B&Q

Style highlights from the new collection include:

• The garcinia kitchen – a matt stone style door with integrated handle. Also available in gloss options, which is recommended for smaller spaces as they’ll reflect any light back into the room.

• The artemisia kitchen – a midnight blue classic shaker style in a beautiful matt finish.

• The pasilla kitchen – a modern kitchen with matt slab thin frame style door which create a sleek, stylish look – available in two colours. What’s more, the pasilla range is covered in a material made from recycled plastic bottles.

• The balsamita kitchen - the balsamita matt grey slab style doors are perfect for adding a sense of space to a kitchen. The matt finish provides a smooth appearance in any light, at any angle.

NEW IN STORE SHOWROOMS AND DIGITAL TOOLS

As well as the new range, B&Q has also improved the instore experience and is totally transforming the kitchen showrooms in all stores nationwide. The new showrooms, currently being rolled out across all stores, include kitchen displays as well as a new Project Advice zone with ideas showing the best use of space and how the range of doors, worktops, handles can be mixed and maxed, to help visualise and plan a new kitchen. B&Q kitchen experts are also on hand to provide personalised support on kitchen planning.

New digital tools on diy.com will provide further support; the digital visualiser will help customers see how the ranges will look in their own kitchen, the booking tool makes it easy to book an appointment with an instore kitchen expert and the digital kitchen planning tool makes it easier for customers to review and plan their new kitchen.

INNOVATIVE IDEAS AND SPACE SAVING SOLUTIONS

So simple and smart you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it, GoodHome tasuke integrated cabinet lighting uses motion controls to turn lights on, off, and switch between settings. Meaning no more unhygienic switches or trying to turn the light on with your elbow!

The GoodHome romesco sink makes the most of even the smallest kitchen, with space-saving integrated accessories that help turn sinks into multi-functional areas. Its deep bowl and selection of matching, stackable accessories, including chopping board, draining board and cutlery holder make amazing use of precious kitchen space.

Similarly, the pebre, budu and pecel storage ranges are designed to make the most of unused spaces with flexible storage and organising solutions.

DESIGNED WITH SUSTAINABILITY IN MIND

GoodHome bamia appliances are designed to be as energy efficient as possible and include a range of intuitive features to make cooking easier.

The GoodHome bamia oven can be programmed to remember how to cook familiar meals saving time and making cooking easier. Plus, it also has an eco-cooking function, saving energy without affecting cooking performance. Similarly clever, GoodHome cooker hoods can be paired with GoodHome hobs through smart connectivity to auto-adjust their extraction rate, so that energy is not used unnecessarily.

The GoodHome kora waste system makes recycling easy, convenient and stylish, with an array of compatible products that save floor space while making waste organisation simple.

ENDS

For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.

NOTES TO EDITORS

ABOUT B&Q + B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across 40,000 products in 300 stores across the UK and on diy.com

• Their team of more than 27,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.

• Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing.

• B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,300 stores in 10 countries across Europe.

ABOUT GOODHOME GoodHome is a new home improvement brand which provides a new, simpler way of doing things for home improvers, their helpers and the pros. Available exclusively at B&Q, it will offer unique products and solutions that are design-led, high quality and well-priced, and help to make home improvement accessible for everyone.

MAGICAL MUST HAVES: B&Q PREDICTS ITS FESTIVE FAVOURITES FOR THE SEASON

We all want our homes to look amazing at Christmas, and this year shoppers can count on B&Q to have everything they need to bring the magic home. Based on unique insight from DIY.com, Kam Dhillon, Category Manager for Christmas at B&Q, shares his predictions on this year’s festive must haves: “It’s safe to say this Christmas will see shoppers looking to add a touch of nostalgia into their decorating scheme, with playful characters predicted to be among top sellers this festive season. No Christmas is complete without the tree, and it seems 2019 is all about making a statement, with larger sizes leading the way.”

*Sausage Dog Motifs

Kam Dhillon, Category Manager for Christmas at B&Q, comments: “Dogs are always a family favourite and the sausage dog trend shows no signs of dying down. A great way to inject some fun into your interior style, we’re seeing festive sausage dogs already sparking keen interest from eager shoppers and are expected to be top of the wish list this Christmas.”

“It’s a trend paw-fect for kids and adults alike – little ones will love B&Q’s Dog Tinsel Pop Up Character (£37) a friendly light-up companion for outside the home that’s sure to make Santa take notice. For the big kids, B&Q’s Warm White LED Sausage Dog Silhouette (£15) is sure to set tails wagging, adding a touch of lively sophistication to any room in the house and come 7th January you won’t want to take it down!”

Playful Decorations Kam Dhillon, Category Manager for Christmas at B&Q, adds: “‘Have you been naughty or nice?’ is the question on everyone’s lips at Christmas, so why not let your decorations keep track? B&Q’s Naughty or Nice Santa Decoration (£3) provides a playful reminder for anyone hoping for a stocking full to the brim this Christmas, as well as adding a jolly touch to any tree.”

Bigger and Better

Kam Dhillon, Category Manager for Christmas at B&Q, notes: “This year sees shoppers going big with their artificial Christmas trees, with 6ft styles and over proving popular according to B&Q sales data as customers look to create a show-stopping display.”

For anyone looking to make a statement with their festive centrepiece, B&Q’s 7ft 6in Thetford Pre-lit artificial Christmas tree (£209) will light up the room. After classic green, snowy white seems to be the pick of the season with B&Q’s 7ft Igora Pre-lit artificial Christmas tree (£125) looking set to be a big hitter this Christmas.”

Shoppers can find B&Q’s Christmas range on diy.com and in-store now.

ENDS Notes for Editors:

For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.

All images are available on Press Loft.

ABOUT B&Q

• B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across 40,000 products in 300 stores across the UK and on diy.com
• Their team of more than 27,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
• Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing.
• B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,300 stores in 10 countries across Europe.

EX-DETECTIVE AND FORMER STAR OF ‘HUNTED’ SHARES TIPS TO HELP PROTECT HOMES AS BURGLARIES SPIKE WITH THE CLOCKS GOING BACK

• Research reveals home burglaries increase by a third when clocks go back
• Home security a priority with evenings like Halloween and Bonfire Night looming, more people will be out in the evenings, meaning home security needs to be prioritised, to deter opportunists operating at this time of year during hours of darkness
• Ex-Scotland Yard Detective and former star of Channel 4’s ‘Hunted’, Peter Bleksley, has teamed up with B&Q to share advice on making homes more secure.

24th October 2019: The clocks going back on 27th October may mean an extra hour in bed, but it also signals the need to reassess home security as it has been reported that burglaries spike by a third during the five months of daylight saving each year . Tied with the fact that key calendar events such as Halloween and Bonfire Night will be taking place, meaning more people than ever will be out and about during the hours of darkness, the UK’s leading home improvement retailer, B&Q, has collaborated with Peter Bleksley, former star of Channel 4’s hit show ‘Hunted, to offer advice on how to make your home more secure.

Bleksley, who was a Scotland Yard Detective for 20 years, commented: “It’s important to protect your home all year round, but the fact is that burglaries spike in winter months as longer nights give greater cover of darkness. Homes should be a haven where you feel safe and secure, and this is perhaps even more of a consideration for single occupancy households that are at an all-time high in the UK. The number of people living on their own increased 16 percent between 1997 and 2017 to 7.7 million, and the majority (53 per cent) of single dwellers are women . This is not an exercise in scaremongering, but a reminder that we all need to take control of our home security, whatever our living situation, and keep up to date with the latest advice to keep our homes safe.”

Peter Bleksley's top tips to help make your home safer:

1. Look at your home as an outsider – We can quickly become immune to weaknesses in our security and, unless you land yourself in the tricky situation of having to find a way in after being locked out, it’s unlikely you’ll truly look at your home the way an intruder might. Save yourself the drama of simulating a ‘lock out’ and have a friend or neighbour look around the outside of your home and see if they can spot any easy ways in, you might be surprised by what they come up with.

2. Use tech to keep an eye on your home – Invest in smart security cameras that can connect to a smartphone, tablet or camera so you can see and hear what’s happening inside and outside of your house, when you are not at home. Some can be as sophisticated as having motion-triggered recording, infrared night vision, and two-way audio communication capability.

3. Smart bell – A smart video doorbell is a great idea as it lets you view, listen and speak to visitors even when you're not at home. They are also handy if you want to check who is at your door before you answer. Some smart bells can send notifications to your phone when motion is detected, so you can see what’s happening outside your front door using your device, even if the doorbell is rung.

4. Light up your life – Invest in smart outdoor lighting. Intruders like to operate under cover of darkness so having sensor lighting outside your home is a brilliant deterrent.

5. Hide your alarm key pad – Installing a home security system is a great deterrent, but it isn’t fool-proof. Most people install their alarm key pads by the front or back door for quick and easy access, which makes sense, but when you’re placing it in such a visible area, burglars may be able to peak in to see whether it has been activated or not. My advice would be to conceal your alarm key pad so that it isn’t visible from outside and can’t be immediately located if someone were to get in.

6. Let ‘Mother Nature’ lend a hand – Not all home security has to make your home look like a fortress. A beautiful yet thorny rose bush planted underneath the window can do wonders to deter unwanted guests, and installing a gravel drive is a simple yet effective way to ensure that you are alerted to the sound of someone approaching the house who shouldn’t be.

7. Secure the car – our cars are one of the highest value items we have around our homes and yet we all just leave them on the drive for any would be thief to see and size up. We might not all have the luxury of a garage, but driveway security posts or bollards can act as both a visual and physical deterrent. Oh and don’t leave your keys in plain sight. Having them by the front door might be convenient during the morning rush, but it’s also convenient for unsavoury characters who might like to relieve you or your ride.

8. Don’t hide valuables in the master bedroom – The master bedroom is known by burglars as the room where valuables are kept. Just picture your own bedroom right now… is there jewellery, cash, credit cards and personal documents like passports in the bedside table? I bet there is. And no doubt a smart handbag or two in the wardrobe. We need to all be savvier than that. If you must keep cash in the house, then stash it somewhere unexpected like the top cupboard of your child’s bedroom or in a safe that is secured inside an unassuming cupboard or under the floorboards. Another top tip is to install a decoy safe somewhere more obvious, throwing burglars completely off their track.

For more ideas and advice on home security, head to DIY.com: https://www.diy.com/ideas-advice/20-ways-to-keep-your-home-secure/CC_npcart_400233.art

Shop the range:

• Yale Wireless Sync Home Alarm Family Kit, £279, DIY.com
• Ring Spotlight Camera, £199, DIY.com
• Google Nest IQ Internal Smart Camera, £269, DIY.com
• Ring V1 Wireless Video Doorbell, £89, DIY.com
• 20mm Gravel Bulk Bag, £42, DIY.com
• Autolock Parking Post, £87, DIY.com
• Blooma Weyburn Gloss Black LED PIR Motion Sensor Outdoor Security Light 20W, £31, DIY.com

-Ends-

Notes for Editors:

For more info contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693. About B&Q

• B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across
• 40,000 products in 300 stores across the UK and on diy.com
• Their team of more than 27,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
• Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing.
• B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,300 stores in 10 countries across Europe.

1 https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/uk-daylight-saving-burglary-time-clocks-go-back-co-op-insurance-a8594936.html Office of National Statistics

THAT’S SO LAST SEASON! HOTTEST INTERIOR TRENDS PREDICTED FOR THE YEAR AHEAD

• Blue paint shades, black flooring and geometric walls predicted to be most lust-worthy 2020 trends
• B&Q’s 3 for 2 offers on paint, flooring and tiles make it easier to get the look for less

Monday 14th October 2019: Attention trend spotters! Today the most lust-worthy interior trends of 2020 have been revealed by B&Q; with hues of blue, moody black living room floors and metallic geometric walls all set to be big hitters. Drawing on DIY.com search data, top selling products and insight from in-house experts, the UK’s leading home improvement retailer has forecasted what will be hot in 2020 across paint, flooring and wallpaper.

Whether it’s small but impactful paint jobs or cheating your way to Insta-ready floors, these trends are easy to adopt and can be done in a day. Kirsty Mole, Category Manager for Décor at B&Q, shares her top tips on how to incorporate the five hottest interior looks of 2020 into your home. What’s more, updating your interiors ready for the turn of the decade is now even more affordable with B&Q offering 3 for 2 on paint, flooring and tiles from now until 3rd November.

1. BLUE IS THE REIGNING HUE – Prevailing as the most searched for colour (behind shades of white and grey), it’s easy to see why blue is emerging as the coolest trend that will rule as the colour for 2020. Its depth and range makes blue one of the most versatile colours, giving the option to be brave with vibrant and rich tones, or soft and tranquil with lighter or muted shades. Its colour versatility is equalled by its usability, making it the perfect choice for many spaces. With blue predicted as a best-seller in 2020, Kirsty Mole shares inspiration and ideas for the most up to date ways to use different shades:

• “Match inky woodwork and walls – The devil is often in the detail when it comes to chic interiors, but by simply matching your woodwork to your wall you can create an effortlessly stylish look. Opt for smooth, powdery blue-grey shades such as GoodHome Antibes paint or muted teal for ultimate impact.”

• “Statement walls with a twist – Traditional ‘feature walls’ may have fallen out of fashion, but 2020 will see people breaking the boundaries with straight lines, angles and interesting shapes to give this old favourite a new, modern twist. Bright blue shades make for a great base colour, and then you can get playful with shapes to inject personality. For extra intrigue, intersect open shelving across feature walls.”

2. LET THE SEASONS LEAD YOU – Search data shows that consumers get experimental with paint palettes at different times of year, with spring bringing a rise in searches for pink (26%) and yellow (9%) paint on diy.com vs. autumn and winter months. In preparation for brighter, sunnier days to come, Kirsty shares her top picks for using pink and yellow paint shades in your home in the 2020 way:

• “Taking pink past millennials - Pink is often shyed away from for the fear of it looking childish. If you’re scared of the brighter ‘millennial pink’ tones, go for a more sophisticated washed pink, such as GoodHome Kyoto paint, for an elegant and clean look.”

• “Inject a touch of sunshine - Traditionally the sunshine colour, yellow doesn’t just have to be for summer. Perfect for injecting cheer into any room, try mixing and matching yellow shades, such as GoodHome Andalusia paint and GoodHome Gran via paint, as the pigments complement one another.”

3. STRIKE OPULANCE WITH FLOORING – High impact yet affordable, easy to install flooring is predicted to be in vogue in 2020 with search terms combining ‘luxury’ and ‘flooring’ soaring on diy.com. Within this category, dramatic styles that demand attention and broadcast extravagance are set to dominate as an interior trend next year. Kirsty shares B&Q’s top flooring looks for the new decade:

• “Moody black slate takes centre stage – The popularity of using melodramatic black floor tiles is on the rise, but in quite an unexpected place – namely the living room. To get the moody look, try the GoodHome Jazy Slate Tile click flooring. The beauty of click-flooring is that it's affordable to buy and easy to use, making experimentation with different materials and laying techniques a doddle. Not only is it a quick and convenient way to achieve luxury floors that look more expensive than they are, these tiles are also harder wearing than laminate flooring. It’s easy to see why ‘luxury vinyl click flooring’ has become a regular feature in diy.com’s top 3 flooring search terms.

• "New generation wood flooring is even more stylish” – Traditional wooden flooring continues to be a timeless classic with the oak colourway consistently featuring in B&Q’s top 20 flooring products. However, for those who don’t mind investing a little more time when it comes to installing high impact flooring, 2020 will give this stylish favourite a modern revamp with slim tiles laid in herringbone patterns. Lead the pack into the new decade with GoodHome Skara Natural Oak solid wood flooring, perfect when paired with chic, industrial inspired furniture.”

4. INTO A METALLIC DIMENSION – The geometric wallpaper trend shows no sign of slowing down in 2020, but search data indicates that it will take on a shiny new twist with shades of rose, silver and gold on the rise. With clever product quirks, Kirsty’s trend predications for the year ahead are set to be a hit with homeowners and renters alike:

• “Shiny new walls, made easier - Geometric prints give instant art deco glamour to bedrooms, living rooms and hallways. What’s more, we see this trend taking off even among renters as many styles come using ‘Paste the wall’ technology. This nifty product saves up to 30% of the time traditionally required to hang wallpaper, requires no pasting table and simply peels off when you fancy a change or are moving out”.

- END -

For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Featured products include:

• GoodHome Walls & ceilings Antibes paint Silk Emulsion paint 2.5L, £12
• Valspar interior paint available from £12
• GoodHome Walls & ceilings Kyoto paint Matt Emulsion paint 2.5L, £12
• GoodHome Walls & ceilings Andalusia Matt Emulsion paint 2.5L, £12
• GoodHome Walls & ceilings Gran via Matt Emulsion paint 2.5L, £12
• GoodHome Jazy Slate Tile effect Luxury vinyl click flooring, 2.23m2 Pack, £49.06
• GoodHome Skara Natural Oak Solid wood flooring, 0.86m² Pack, £49.02
• Fine décor Apex Rose gold Geometric Metallic effect Wallpaper, £16
• GoodHome Ajuga Charcoal Art deco Rose gold metallic effect Wallpaper, £16

ABOUT B&Q

• B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across 40,000 products in 300 stores across the UK and on diy.com
• Their team of more than 27,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
• Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing.
• B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,200 stores in 10 countries across Europe.

HOME HAPPINESS REVEALED: RENTERS CAN BE JUST AS HAPPY AS HOME OWNERS

October 2019: A study of 13,000 people across Europe revealed that home happiness has no reflection on whether you rent or own your home, which is great news for anyone choosing to rent or those finding it difficult to get their foot on the property ladder.

In partnership with the Happiness Research Institute, B&Q and Kingfisher’s GoodHome Report looked at the triggers that contribute to ‘home happiness,’ with insights showing that as long as renters can have some degree of control to be able to adapt and improve their homes, their levels of ‘home happiness’ can be the same as those who own.

The research showed that regardless of age and demographic, home happiness increases when people invest more time and energy into improving their homes. A huge 74% of people who are interested in and spend time doing home improvements are proud of their homes, and the report also revealed that happiness in the home is directly linked to overall happiness in life.

Supporting research conducted by B&Q found that while renters were less confident when it came to their DIY skills (57% admitted they were only ‘occasional DIYers, able to take on smaller tasks but not the large ones), they were more likely to take on projects themselves, with 30% believing that giving it go themselves would save money. Furthermore, 37% of renters believed doing your own home improvements was a source of pride, further proving that improving your space – whether rented or owned – can have a significant impact on how we feel.

Susie Spence, Décor Category Director comments; “At B&Q we want to make home improvement accessible for everyone – whether they are renters or home owners. We know the huge impact making changes to your space can have on home happiness, which is why we have a collection of products, such as our peel and stick wallpaper, which can help renters adapt and personalise their homes, whilst still getting their deposit back from a landlord. Our research shows that the assumption that renters don’t or can’t take on home improvement projects is incorrect, and in fact renters are just as likely to want to pick up a paint brush or change their wallpaper as homeowners, which is why we’re launching a series of ‘how to’ video to help.”

Deposit-Friendly DIY – Making your rented space feel like home

So – how can you make your rented house feel more like home? With 37% of us admitting we don’t feel a sense of identity in relation to our homes, it may seem like a massive job, but luckily, Susie Spence, Décor Category Director at B&Q is on hand with her renter friendly tips that won’t break the bank or dent your deposit:

“First things first, always get the permission of your landlord before making any changes to your accommodation to ensure you protect your deposit. And advise whether the changes you wish to make are permanent or not and if not, how you plan to change it back to its original state once you leave."

• CREATE A GREATER SENSE OF SPACE – Make the most of height in smaller rooms by creating a gallery of prints and photos. In bigger rooms, use the width by introducing wider freestanding shelves and larger prints. When adding prints, photos, plants and trinkets, think about the space you have. If you have a larger room, think horizontally. Wider freestanding shelves and larger prints. In a smaller space, think vertically, and make use of the height. This can be done by a gallery of prints, for example.

• PAPER PERSONALITY - If your landlord isn’t keen on you picking up the paintbrush, then B&Q’s ‘Peel and Stick’ wallpaper can be easily peeled off in full sheets when you move out the property, leaving behind no sticky residue. As the name suggests, this clever wallpaper simply peels and sticks, without the need for wallpaper paste.

• COLOUR CREATIVE – If paint can be used, consider different shades of paint to create the illusion of space and light. For example, use two similar shades from the B&Q’s GoodHome Paint, with the darker shade painted halfway up the walls, with the lighter shade on top. Be creative with colour to reflect your personality.

• REPLACING DOORS KNOBS AND HANDLES - Add a little style to your doors and cupboards by switching out old door knobs for something a little different. Whether it’s a hand-painted ceramic knob, rustic handles or contemporary style levers, there are so many to choose from. Just remember to save the original knob and its fixtures so you can replace it when you move.

• SPRUCE UP OLD FURNITURE WITH A SELF-ADHESIVE FILM - You can pick up non-permanent, self-adhesive films in a range of styles these days, such as marble, chalkboard and wood effect. They are easy to apply and can be used as a convenient and affordable way to spruce up any old furniture that you own. If it’s not your own furniture always get your landlord’s permission before applying anything to their stuff. Once you have the green light, it’s as simple as peel and stick! If you’re worried, you can always test a small patch on another hidden surface first to double-check it doesn’t leave any marks when you pull it back off.

-ENDS-

NOTES TO EDITORS

For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.

ABOUT B&Q

• B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across 40,000 products in 300 stores across the UK and on diy.com
• Their team of more than 27,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
• Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing.
• B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,200 stores in 10 countries across Europe.

FIVE TIPS TO TRANSFORM YOUR HALLWAY INTO A LIGHT AND AIRY SPACE

Our hallways are the first thing that greet us and our guests in our home, they deal with the daily rush hour and house everything from muddy shoes and damp coats to hats and umbrellas, yet the hallway is often the last on our home improvement list. With five simple solutions we show how you can introduce the feeling of warmth and create a greater sense of space using the GoodHome interior project approach on any budget.

Susie Spence, Décor Category Director at B&Q’s tips to improve your hallway include:

A lighter and brighter look – According to B&Q and Kingfisher’s GoodHome Report, a study carried out in partnership with the Happiness Research Institute, the feeling of space is actually three times more important than the actual space that you have. Your hallway is the introduction to your home and so you want it to feel welcoming.

The feeling of warmth can be achieved by considering the combination of colour, surfaces on walls, the floor or ceiling and the level of natural light available. Lighter tones are recommended for narrow spaces with limited light. Also, consider a paint that has reflective qualities that can help make the most of the light you do have. Where light is in abundance, you can play with colours and surfaces.

The way you apply your colour is just as important as the colour itself. It can help you make the most of the size, space and proportions you have in your home. Try introducing a warm shade halfway up your hallway walls, with a lighter shade on top, to create an illusion of space and light. Choose from one of the 80 curated colours in the GoodHome paint range, which is designed to suit any home.

Maximise your space – Shoes, coats, keys, bags, umbrellas and pet leads all find a home in our hallways. In a narrow hallway you can make the most of the space available and the proportions of your hallway by thinking about it vertically. By that we mean, think about the space above you, and keep the floor clear. Using hooks is a great way to create a feature wall while keeping design and functionality in balance (we can’t promise you won’t still forget your keys though).

If you have a bigger hallway, consider the space horizontally, then you can get creative with clever storage solutions. Think smartly about height and install storage at different levels to create zones for your children’s belongings as well as your own.

Inject some of your personality – It is the first thing your guests see when you welcome them into your home, so you want your hallway to reflect who you and your family are. Displaying your budding Picasso’s artwork on the walls, adding family photos or putting up your favourite prints are all great ways to inject a bit of personality. Why not draw extra attention to them by subtly framing with a contrasting block of GoodHome Hempstead durable walls and ceilings paint? Alternatively, mirrors are a simple trick to inject a greater sense of space and light. Couple your updated walls with some plants to breathe life into the space – where light is limited, don’t be afraid to use artificial plants.

A finish that you can keep fresh and clean – The hallway is one of the highest traffic spots in the house. With soggy dogs shaking off the damp from the evening walk, muddy kids disrobing and shopping bags crashing around after your weekly haul, the walls in your hallway are destined to be scuffed. Make sure to choose a paint that can withstand the test of time and cover a multitude of sins. GoodHome durable walls and ceilings paint is washable and scrubbable. We’ve used Pimlico colour halfway up the wall in a durable paint that allows mucky fingerprints to be easily wiped away without affecting your carefully chosen wall colour.

A tough walkway for family rush hour – It’s not just your walls that have the ability to change the way your hallway looks and feels; floors are often an undervalued and overlooked surface. Floor tiles are brilliant as they are durable enough to withstand the hustle and bustle of the daily rush and are easy to clean too, but that doesn’t mean that you have to compromise on style. When thinking about the floor, don’t just select by colour but think about the format of the floor or tile. A large format in a smaller space can give a better sense of space as there are less lines running through. GoodHome Konkrete tile looks like chic poured concrete, but comes without the concrete cost, tick.

Products featured include:

• GoodHome Pimlico durable walls and ceilings paint, £16 for 2.5L from B&Q
• GoodHome Hempstead durable walls and ceilings paint, £16 for 2.5L from B&Q
• GoodHome Konkrete porcelain floor tile, £22.80 for a pack of 4 from B&Q
• GoodHome Kensal vertical anthracite radiator, £180 from B&Q
• GoodHome Santa Fe durable walls and ceiling paint, £16 for 2.5L from B&Q

Changing the interior of your home is the quickest and easiest way to make meaningful changes in your home and transform it into one that meets your needs. GoodHome, which can be found at B&Q, has simplified the task of updating your interiors with a project approach to renovating walls and floors. The launch includes a range of products and solutions, and by helping you better understand your needs, your home and your personal style preference, we make it easier transform your home and reap the benefits of the happiness payoff.

Goodhome Interior Projects are available in B&Q stores and on diy.com

- END -

For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.

ABOUT B&Q

• B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across over 40,000 products in 296* stores across the UK and on diy.com

• Their team of more than 27,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.

• Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities undertaking home improvement projects and raising money to fund Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit B&Q in the Community

• B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,300 stores in 10 countries across Europe, Russia and Turkey.

*Data correct: 2 September 2019

SIMPLE WAYS TO STAMP YOUR PERSONALITY ONTO YOUR LIVING ROOM

Susie Spence, Décor Category Director at B&Q said: “According to B&Q and Kingfisher’s GoodHome Report, a study carried out in partnership with the Happiness Research Institute, we know it’s important that our home reflects our identity, so I have curated a series of tips on how to update your home on any budget, with options should your landlord not be so keen on you picking up the paintbrush.”

Take control and add some colour – Make your living room a place that reflects your style by adding colour and personality to your space. First off, it’s important to freshen up your walls with a neutral paint that has good coverage to hide the stains that build up over the years. This is the first step to understanding and appreciating the space you have before considering what colour and style you want to introduce.

Gone are days of feature walls that address just one wall. You have four walls and a ceiling to play with. Think about the area you want to make a focal point and create some ideas that will help add your identity to it.

Paste the walls – Yep, I said it, paste the walls… wallpaper just got a whole lot simpler. Let me introduce you to the new generation of ’paste the wall’ wallpaper which saves up to 30% of the time it takes to hang traditional wallpaper. Simply paste the wall (no pasting table required) and hang. And when you fancy a change, or are moving out, it simply peels off.

Don’t fancy wallpapering an entire wall? A simple solution is to add wallpaper to canvases or plywood panels and lean them against the wall. It’s quick and easy to change.

Add some life to old furniture – Many of us have pieces from junk yards and vintage stores that just need a bit of TLC, or a piece that simply doesn’t fit with the colour scheme of the room. Bring some new life into frames, tables, chairs, cabinets and floors, with our curated range of paints, suitable for a multitude of tasks. With 80 curated colours to choose from, this is a cost-effective way to inject more colour into your space.

All pieces don’t just have to be block colour. Consider using stencils, angular shapes or an ombre effect to perfectly match the piece with your interior.

Added personality – When adding prints, photos, plants and trinkets, think about the space you have. If you have a larger room, think horizontally. Wider freestanding shelves and larger prints. In a smaller space, think vertically, and make use of the height. This can be done by a gallery of prints, for example.

Products featured include:

• GoodHome Gran Via durable walls and ceilings paint, £16 for 2.5L from B&Q
• GoodHome Kyoto durable walls and ceilings paint, £16 for 2.5L from B&Q
• GoodHome Rockhampton laminate flooring in grey oak effect, £19.74 per pack from B&Q
• GoodHome Milltown durable walls and ceilings paint, £16 for 2.5L from B&Q
• GoodHome Chueca durable walls and ceilings paint, £16 for 2.5L from B&Q
• GoodHome Hamptons walls and ceilings emulsion paint, £12 for 2.5L from B&Q
• GoodHome Ajuga paste the wall vinyl wallpaper, £16 from B&Q
• GoodHome Jori paste the wall vinyl wallpaper, £16 from B&Q
• GoodHome Granada walls and ceilings emulsion paint, £12 for 2.5L from B&Q
• GoodHome durable cabinet and wardrobe paint, £20 for 750ml from B&Q
• GoodHome Cancun walls and ceilings emulsion paint, £12 for 2.5L from B&Q

Changing the interior of your home is the quickest and easiest way to make meaningful changes in your home and transform it into one that meets your needs. GoodHome Interior Projects has simplified the task of renovating your interiors with a project approach to renovating walls and floors. With a curated range of products and solutions, and by helping you understand your needs, your home and your personal style preference, we make it easier transform your home into one that makes you happy.

GoodHome Interior Projects are available in B&Q stores and on diy.com now.

- END -

For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.

ABOUT B&Q

• B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across over 40,000 products in 296* stores across the UK and on diy.com

• Their team of more than 27,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.

• Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities undertaking home improvement projects and raising money to fund Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit B&Q in the Community

• B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,300 stores in 10 countries across Europe, Russia and Turkey.

*Data correct: 2 September 2019

LOSING FOCUS? HOW TO MAKE AN OFFICE IN YOUR DEAD SPACE AT HOME

With people up and down the nation working from bed, the sofa or the kitchen table, Susie Spence, Décor Category Director at B&Q has compiled tips to show you how GoodHome interior projects approach will help you transform an area in your home – no matter how big or small – into a functional workspace that is harmonious with your current living environment.

Map out your space – Work life is becoming more a part of home life than ever, as people are increasingly working from home. Keep your work separate from family time by creating a dedicated workspace. When creating this space, consider the whole room to ensure it works in harmony with the rest of the space.

Possibly the most important decision is the percentage of the room you want to dedicate to your workspace, as this will impact the size of desk and the kind of storage. This is your starting point.

Let there be light – Consider natural light. If you are going to spend long days at your desk, a good level of natural light will help with concentration. If natural light is a luxury, add a desk light or floor lamp to the area to help keep the energy up and concentration on point during a long day.

Create your zone – To keep work and play separate, an idea is to create a zone. There are a number of ways you can approach this. Adding a different colour to this area, for example. The use of colour here will create energy and stimulate the mind. Be sure to consider how the colour works with the rest of the room. You can even consider creating a divider, which is a great way to hide the mess from the daily grind – at least they’re not on the kitchen table anymore.

Wallpaper is another simple yet effective option. Zone the different area with easy-to-use paste-the-wall wallpaper, which takes up to 30% less time than traditional paste the paper method and peels off should you change your mind.

Functionality – When considering your desk and storage, consider the size of your space. In a smaller space think vertically, taller storage units and are best in comparison to wider units and pin boards in a larger space. If you want to section off the back of a narrow space, consider something long and narrow, but a more square room may be better with the same type of proportions.

Harmonious Flooring – Hardwearing flooring is a must with ‘home-office’ chairs and stools often creating scuffs and scratches. Ensure you choose something that is durable, ready and able to take on the daily grind as much as you are. B&Q’s GoodHome Visby solid wood flooring will grow old with your business, with a lifetime guarantee and an appealing price point.

Products featured include:

• GoodHome Vulpin paste the wall vinyl wallpaper, £14 per roll from B&Q
• GoodHome Visby solid wood flooring, £50.54 per pack from B&Q
• GoodHome Gran Via durable walls and ceilings paint, £16 for 2.5L from B&Q
• GoodHome Brilliant White air purifying paint, £16 from B&Q

B&Q and Kingfisher’s GoodHome Report, a study carried out in partnership with the Happiness Research Institute found that having a home that is adaptable to the different stages in our lives is integral to our happiness. Changing the interior of your home is the quickest and easiest way to make meaningful changes in your home and transform it into one that meets your needs.

GoodHome Interiors Projects have simplified the task of updating your interiors with a project approach to renovating walls and floors. The launch includes a range of products and solutions, and by helping you better understand your needs, your home and your personal style preference, we make it easier transform your home and reap the benefits of the happiness payoff.

- END -

For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.

ABOUT B&Q

• B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across over 40,000 products in 296* stores across the UK and on diy.com

• Their team of more than 27,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.

• Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities undertaking home improvement projects and raising money to fund Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit https://www.diy.com/corporate/community

• B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,300 stores in 10 countries across Europe, Russia and Turkey.

*Data correct: 2 September 2019

RISE OF THE ‘DO IT IN A DAY-ERS’: IMPROVING THEIR HOMES, HAVING FUN, AND FINDING TIME TO RELAX

• Savvy ‘do it in a day-ers’ will be doing their DIY jobs in one day this weekend, leaving lots of time to enjoy the results and have fun with friends and family
• Painting will be one of the most popular jobs in British homes
• Parents will be repainting front doors ready for back-to-school photos
• B&Q has ‘do it in a day’ tips and advice to help people with painting so they can get great results and enjoy a variety of weekend activities

23rd August 2019: This bank holiday weekend, savvy people across the country will become ‘do it in a day-ers’ according to research from B&Q. One in four will be avoiding ‘FOMO’ by getting home improvements done in one day, leaving the rest of the weekend free for having fun with friends and family and enjoying some all-important rejuvenation.

With extra time on many people’s hands this weekend, 31.6 million people will be acting on their home improvement to-do lists with an average of two jobs getting ticked off. More than half of people (56 per cent) intend to dive into jobs like painting and ‘do it in a day’, with the most popular days being Saturday and Sunday, so they can kick back and enjoy other activities on Monday.

The top activities for weekend plans include visiting friends and family (47 per cent), going out for a walk, bike ride or hike (39 per cent) and gardening (39 per cent), with catching up on forty winks coming up close behind (29 per cent).

On the home improvement side, painting is one of the most popular DIY jobs and high on the agenda for parents is repainting the front door, ready for the essential first day back to school photograph. Two in five parents (40 per cent) are considering giving their front door a lick of paint this weekend in preparation, with the front step being four times more popular than the school gates for the new term photo (41 per cent compared to 10 per cent).

The research also found the average household has five little DIY jobs to tackle and will spend a tidy 4 hours and 49 minutes getting some of them done, leaving the rest of the weekend free for enjoying good weather and great company.

Almost half of people (48 per cent) expect to ‘finally have time to get things done’ this weekend with a quarter (27 per cent) looking ahead to the nice weather to get them moving and one in six (16 per cent) wanting to get things done before the kids go back to school.

Craig Collins, Market Manager for Paint at B&Q commented: “Much of Britain will be enjoying a long weekend with the bank holiday coming up and people are planning to combine traditional home improvement efforts with having lots of fun.

“It’s clear that people know they can do jobs like painting in one day, leaving plenty of time for socialising and getting some last-minute barbecues in. This weekend is a great time to find that motivation and ‘do it’ on Sunday so you can relax and unwind on Monday before work starts again.”

Top 10 home improvement tasks on people’s to-do lists:

1. Painting a wall or ceiling (50 per cent)
2. Painting a skirting board (29 per cent)
3. Painting the fence (26 per cent)
4. Resealing the bath or shower (24 per cent)
5. Putting up shelves (21 per cent)
6. Wallpapering (19 per cent)
7. Painting the shed (18 per cent)
8. Laying new flooring (17 per cent)
9. Upcycling furniture (16 per cent)
10. Painting the front door (14 per cent)

7 paint projects people could do in a day this bank holiday weekend:

1. Paint a front door
2. Paint a statement ceiling
3. Paint a wall
4. Paint a zone area or feature wall
5. Paint a wooden window frame
6. Paint a shed
7. Paint to upcycle furniture

B&Q has simple ‘do it in a day’ tutorials and handy product recommendations for getting paint jobs done in one day so people can balance improving their home with other fun activities this weekend.

-ENDS-

NOTES TO EDITORS

For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.

The research was conducted by OnePoll, surveying 2,000 UK respondents in April 2019. Based on UK adult population from ONS (GB people 18 and over) and 60.6 per cent of respondents saying they had DIY jobs to do. View here

ABOUT B&Q

• B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across 40,000 products in 300 stores across the UK and on diy.com
• Their team of more than 27,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
• Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing.
• B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,200 stores in 10 countries across Europe.

Planting for Butterflies

August 2019, London - Butterflies are a wonderful part of Britain’s wildlife, providing not only beauty and colour to the great outdoors but also acting as key indicators of a healthy environment and ecosystem.

Sadly, over the last 150 years, four species of butterfly have already become extinct and three quarters of British butterflies are in decline , meaning it has become increasingly important for the nation to do their part for butterfly conservation. As well as acting as a space to spot the charming creatures, gardens are also a brilliant place to build a butterfly and caterpillar haven.

Working with wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation on their Big Butterfly Count, which is sponsored by B&Q, Butterfly Conservation Vice-President Chris Packham explains exactly how you can cultivate your garden to attract the friendly insects.

Planting Colour

‘Butterflies will take nectar from a variety of colourful plant species for fuel’, explains Chris. ‘Examples of plants that can easily be planted in the garden to help include Red Valerian, which is great for nectar, fragrant Wild Majoram, and Buddleia, which is a popular choice amongst the perennial plants i.e. those that will stay live and leafy for a few years.’

Know your Nettles

‘When it comes to feeding their caterpillars, butterflies need a species of plant which may not be top of your planting list! To attract some of the brightest, biggest and boldest butterflies such as the Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock and Red Admiral, you’ll need to invest in a nettle patch. Even a small area of just few square metres in the garden would be beneficial for their conservation.’

Rough it Up

‘One widespread species of butterfly is the Meadow Brown, commonly found alongside another brown-coloured species, the Gatekeeper. Whilst common, many colonies of the Meadow Brown have been lost due to an increase in agriculture. To help cultivate this species, alongside the Gatekeeper, rough grassland is essential.

‘Consider leaving a small corner of your lawn uncut and plant Lady’s Smock, which is a food plant of the lovely Orange-tip butterfly. Lots of other species that live in our gardens actually feed on grasses, but won’t if they are mown, so it’s vital to let them grow so the leaves are long and lush if you’d like to attract more breeds.’

Seeking Shelter

‘Butterflies need shelter as well as food, and letting just a few square metres of your garden go rough can also help create a nesting area for our insect friends. You’ll notice when you look into your garden when it’s raining that you won’t see any butterflies. This is because many of them will snuggle up deep down in the vegetation and if there isn’t any available, they’ll be left out in the rain and won’t prosper.’

Family Fun

‘As well as creating the perfect haven for butterflies and insects alike, it’s important your garden suits you and your family’s needs too. For people with young children who like to run across the lawn, separate your rough patch with longer grass, nettles and brambles to create an area just for butterfly and caterpillar spotting.

‘The journey of a caterpillar to a butterfly is particularly fascinating, especially for children. By creating the ultimate butterfly friendly garden, you can help to seed an interest in natural history in your children, as well as having fun along the way.’

Making the Most of Minimal Space

‘If you have limited outdoor space to work with, don’t worry - you can still attract butterflies and other insects. All that’s needed is a few pots, with plants such as Geranium, Lavender, and Valerian in a window-box or on a balcony. If insects in the city are hungry, they will find these flowers day or night, with their remarkable sense of smell. By planting nectar producing plants in these pots on your balcony, this can make a valuable contribution to the ecology of your area with a lovely reward of spotting the various butterflies and other insects that visit.’

Chris Packham is leading the charge for the Big Butterfly Count, the world’s largest butterfly survey, from Butterfly Conservation and sponsored by B&Q. The count closes on 11 August, so head to big butterfly count for your free ID sheet and instructions on how to take part.

-ENDS-

NOTES TO EDITORS:

For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.

About B&Q

• B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across over 40,000 products in 298 stores across the UK and on diy.com

• Their team of more than 24,500 colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.

• Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing and supports our local communities undertaking home improvement projects and raising money to fund Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisors. For more information on our community initiatives visit B&Q in the Community

• B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,300 stores in 10 countries across Europe.

About Butterfly Conservation

• Butterfly Conservation is the UK charity dedicated to saving butterflies, moths and our environment. Our research provides advice on how to conserve and restore habitats.

• We run projects to protect more than 100 threatened species and we are involved in conserving hundreds of sites and reserves. www.butterfly-conservation.org @savebutterflies

• For photos or interviews about butterflies or the Big Butterfly Count, please contact the Butterfly Conservation Press Office on 01929 406037 or email news@butterfly-conservation.org.

B&Q'S YOUNGEST SUPER-FAN CELEBRATES 5TH BIRTHDAY AT B&Q CHELTENHAM

On Sunday, aspiring young inventor, Thomas Nourse-Wright, celebrated his fifth birthday at his favourite place – B&Q Cheltenham. Thomas recently made headlines after a video detailing his plans for new spire for the Notre-Dame Cathedral took the internet by storm.

Monday 15th July 2019 – B&Q super-fan and aspiring inventor Thomas Nourse-Wright, celebrated his fifth birthday this Sunday with a VIP afternoon at B&Q Cheltenham. Thomas recently made headlines on BBC Gloucestershire by sharing his inspiring plans to give the Notre-Dame Cathedral a new spire, complete with a sprinkler system, following the devastating fire earlier this year. Taking to the camera to describe his plans, Thomas explained he likes to shop at B&Q to fill his toolbox, and expressed his fondness for the home improvement retailer.

After hearing the five year old’s affection for the store, colleagues at B&Q Cheltenham planned a number of in-store birthday surprises to make Thomas’s day extra special. Upon arrival, the budding young inventor was given his own iconic B&Q apron, and was shown round the store by the colleagues for a VIP tour. Thomas was also able to practice his skills by building his very own toolbox – a necessity for any young inventor! What’s more, to ensure Thomas’s birthday was his best yet, store colleagues decorated with plenty of balloons and surprised him with a cake and card – and surprised mum with a special 50th anniversary B&Q gift card to spend on the family home.

Julia Nourse-Wright, Thomas’s mother, commented: “B&Q is Thomas’s favourite place so he was absolutely ecstatic when B&Q Cheltenham invited us into store to celebrate his fifth birthday. Thomas has had the best afternoon meeting the lovely store colleagues who showed us round and he can’t wait to pick out some items for our home with the gift card! We know most boys Thomas’s age would prefer to spend their birthday playing football or video games as opposed to heading to B&Q, but we love that he has big plans to be an inventor and are so proud of his passion.”

Hayley Foy, Deputy Store Manager at B&Q Cheltenham commented: “This year it’s B&Q’s 50th anniversary – so it was lovely sharing our big birthday with Thomas’s 5th birthday! I think the colleagues enjoyed the visit as much as Thomas and his family did, and we’re so pleased he’s enjoyed all of his birthday surprises. Inspiring the next generation of home improvers is so important to B&Q, which is why we’re thrilled to have played a part in making Thomas’s birthday extra special. He is welcome anytime!”

ENDS

Notes for Editors:

For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.

ABOUT B&Q

• B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across 40,000 products in 300 stores across the UK and on diy.com
• Their team of more than 27,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
• Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing.
• B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,300 stores in 10 countries across Europe.

New GoodHome by B&Q store opens in Wallington

A new way of shopping for home improvement

23rd May 2019; Today the new GoodHome by B&Q store officially launched at 31 - 35 Stafford Road, Wallington offering a new simpler way of shopping for home improvement projects.

The store held a launch event to celebrate, with the first 50 customers through the doors from 7am being presented with a gift card worth up to £100. The newly appointed Mayor and Mayoress of Sutton, Councillor Muhammad Sadiq and Mrs Aasia Sadiq joined senior executives from B&Q and parent company Kingfisher to cut a ribbon and declare the store open.

As part of their induction, the colleagues at the new GoodHome by B&Q store partnered with London’s child poverty charity The Childhood Trust to renovate the bedrooms of local children in the Croydon area. The charity’s Decorate a Child’s Life programme completes home makeovers to help transform a child’s sense of dignity and well-being, providing a home to be proud of and a new sense of confidence.

The fresh, modern and local store offers much more than just home improvement products; it has a team of skilled colleagues offering expert help instore; an effortless digital shopping experience designed to make improving our homes easier; and inspiration and information to help plan home improvement projects. It will also have a dedicated counter for professional tradespeople.

Research commissioned by B&Q found that 66 per cent of people in Wallington and the surrounding area* planned to start a home improvement project in the next 6 months with painting a wall or skirting and replacing a light bulb being among the top projects. The research also found that 47 percent of home improvers in Wallington and the surrounding area* felt they needed more help and advice to realise their projects.

To celebrate, the new GoodHome by B&Q store will be hosting a launch event with gift cards worth up to £100 for the first 50 customers. Doors open at 7am on Thursday 23rd May, with an official ribbon cutting ceremony taking place at 2pm with local dignitaries. There will also be live music and a free goody bag with purchase (while stocks last).

GoodHome is a new international brand from Kingfisher. Understanding that home improvement can be complicated, expensive and frustrating, its mission is to simplify the customer experience, making home improvement accessible for everyone. The new brand will offer affordable improvement solutions, using innovative, sustainable, design - driven, great quality products. To differentiate the smaller sized store, the new concept in Wallington has been given a new name – GoodHome by B&Q - and offers a new home improvement shopping experience.

As a local home improvement store, GoodHome by B&Q will make home improvement shopping easier and more convenient by combining expert help and advice, with access to 6,000 products for the most frequent and urgent projects such as painting walls, fixing taps or installing new sockets. This core range of 6,000 products will also be available for same day delivery, with an extended range of over 20,000 products for bigger projects, available for next day Click and Collect in store or home delivery.

The new concept has been designed to give customers the experience they need from each visit. For those needing help and advice, experienced B&Q colleagues will be on hand in the specially created customer area to discuss projects over a free cup of coffee.

Customers looking for products for a quick fix home improvement project, such as a washer for a leaky tap, will find speedy digital browsers to order products there and then, and collect immediately in store.

Paint is at the heart of many home improvement projects and the new store offers a GoodHome paint mixing counter where customers can create bespoke colours on site, as well as pick up pre-mixed colours. A key cutting service is also available on site. Brands in store include; Erbauer, DeWalt, Makita, Site, Bosch, Stanley, MK, Wylex, Mapei, Blue Circle and Thistle.

The store offers extended opening hours for all customers from 7am to 8pm Monday - Friday, 7am - 6pm Saturday and 10am - 5pm Sunday. It also has a dedicated counter for trade customers, offering a convenient way to stock up on essential products ‘for the van’ as well as the option to access the wider range for next day collection with the help of specialist colleagues.

Alasdair Handley, Store Coach at GoodHome by B&Q commented: “We’re really excited to see the reaction to our new concept store. The way people shop has changed, and the new store has been designed to make it simpler for our customers to create a home they feel good about. We hope having expertise and support on their door step, and an effortless shopping experience, will make it easier for more people to take on those projects around the home they might have been putting off. We look forward to welcoming the people of Wallington to their new local home improvement store.”

Store stats:

• Gross footage: 5436 sqft (505 sqm)
• Sale area footage: 1615 sqft (150sqm)
• Total no. of products: 6,000
• Total no. of employees: 16
• Total no. of ordering points: 6 large ordering screens & 4 tablets
• Total number of car parking spaces: 7

ENDS

Notes for Editors:

*The research was conducted by OnePoll, surveying 115 respondents aged 25-74yrs, located within a ten minute drive of Wallington in April 2019.

For more information on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk

New GoodHome by B&Q store opens in Wallington

A new way of shopping for home improvement

14th May 2019; On 23rd May 2019, the new GoodHome by B&Q store will officially launch at 31 – 35 Stafford Road, Wallington offering a new simpler way of shopping for home improvement projects.

The fresh, modern and local store offers much more than just home improvement products; it has a team of skilled colleagues offering expert help instore; an effortless digital shopping experience designed to make improving our homes easier; and inspiration and information to help plan home improvement projects. It will also have a dedicated counter for professional tradespeople.

Research commissioned by B&Q found that 66 per cent of people in Wallington and the surrounding area* planned to start a home improvement project in the next 6 months with painting a wall or skirting and replacing a lightbulb being among the top projects. The research also found that 47 per cent of home improvers in Wallington and the surrounding area* felt they needed more help and advice to realise their projects.

To celebrate, the new GoodHome by B&Q store will be hosting a launch event with gift cards worth up to £100 for the first 50 customers. Doors open at 7am on Thursday 23rd May, with an official ribbon cutting ceremony taking place at 2pm with local dignitaries. There will also be live music and a free goody bag with purchase (while stocks last).

GoodHome is a new international brand from Kingfisher. Understanding that home improvement can be complicated, expensive and frustrating, its mission is to simplify the customer experience, making home improvement accessible for everyone. The new brand will offer affordable improvement solutions, using innovative, sustainable, design-driven, great quality products. To differentiate the smaller sized store, the new concept in Wallington has been given a new name – GoodHome by B&Q - and offers a new home improvement shopping experience.

As a local home improvement store, GoodHome by B&Q will make home improvement shopping easier and more convenient by combining expert help and advice, with access to 6,000 products for the most frequent and urgent projects such as painting walls, fixing taps or installing new sockets. This core range of 6,000 products will also be available for same day delivery, with an extended range of over 20,000 products for bigger projects, available for next day Click and Collect in store or home delivery.

The new concept has been designed to give customers the experience they need from each visit. For those needing help and advice, experienced B&Q colleagues will be on hand in the specially created customer area to discuss projects over a free cup of coffee.

Customers looking for products for a quick fix home improvement project, such as a washer for a leaky tap, will find speedy digital browsers to order products there and then, and collect immediately in store.

Paint is at the heart of many home improvement projects and the new store offers a GoodHome paint mixing counter where customers can create bespoke colours on site, as well as pick up pre-mixed colours. A key cutting service is also available on site. Brands in store include; Erbauer, DeWalt, Makita, Site, Bosch, Stanley, MK, Wylex, Mapei, Blue Circle and Thistle.

The store offers extended opening hours for all customers from 7am to 8pm Monday-Friday, 7am-6pm Saturday and 10am-5pm Sunday. It also has a dedicated counter for trade customers, offering a convenient way to stock up on essential products ‘for the van’ as well as the option to access the wider range for next day collection with the help of specialist colleagues.

Alasdair Handley, Store Coach at GoodHome by B&Q commented: “We’re really excited to see the reaction to our new concept store. The way people shop has changed, and the new store has been designed to make it simpler for our customers to create a home they feel good about. We hope having expertise and support on their door step, and an effortless shopping experience, will make it easier for more people to take on those projects around the home they might have been putting off. We look forward to welcoming the people of Wallington to their new local home improvement store.”

Store stats:

• Gross footage: 5436 sqft (505 sqm)
• Sale area footage: 1615 sqft (150sqm)
• Total no. of products: 6,000
• Total no. of employees: 16
• Total no. of ordering points: 6 large ordering screens & 4 tablets
• Total number of car parking spaces: 7

ENDS

Notes for Editors:

*The research was conducted by OnePoll, surveying 115 respondents aged 25-74yrs, located within a ten minute drive of Wallington in April 2019.

For more information on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk

GoodHome is a new, international brand from Kingfisher, the company that owns B&Q and Screwfix. It embodies our purpose, which is to create homes that people feel good about by making home improvement accessible for everyone. We’re no longer just a retailer, but a designer and developer, delivering unique, great quality, products and services. All products branded GoodHome are unique to Kingfisher and designed in-house. They are innovative, sustainable, design-driven, great quality, all at great prices. Our GoodHome by B&Q store offers a mix of GoodHome and other branded home improvement products and services appropriate to the size and location of the store.

FOUR SIMPLE TIPS TO CREATE YOUR VERY OWN BEE BIT STOP!

13th May 2019, London. Due to rapid urban development and other factors such as climate change, the UK’s bees are having to travel further and further between areas that are suitable for them to feed and rest, and safe spaces with suitable flowers are harder to come by. That’s why B&Q are encouraging the nation to plant one million individual ‘bee pit stops’ in outdoor spaces across the country. From pollinator flower beds, to a potted lavender on a balcony, a bee pit stop is a safe space for bees to rest and refuel, which Brits can easily create in their own outdoor space.

Matt Childs, designer of the RHS Hampton Court gold award-winning ‘B&Q Bursting Busy Lizzie Garden’, worked with B&Q this week to install a giant ‘B&Q Bee Pit Stop’, in London’s King’s Cross station, adorned with thousands of pollinating flowers to raise awareness of the steep decline in the UK’s bee-friendly habitats. Now he is sharing his top tips so everyone can create their very own bee pit stop at home:

1. The perfect plot- “You don’t have to have a large outside space to make the perfect resting point for passing bees. Choose an area that’s peaceful and away from the hustle and bustle of a busy home. South facing spaces with plenty of sunlight, surrounded by a variety of plants and colour offer a great starting point for your pit stop and will be sure to create a buzz. If you have a yard or balcony, choose a high south facing point to place your pollinators to make the perfect sign-post for passing bees!”

Shop the range:

• Nurgal Pink Railing Pot, £5

2. Diversity is key- “Planting a variety of pollen rich flowers will not only look wonderful in your garden but will make your pit stop irresistible to passing bees all year round. Combine mid-season pollinators such as Lavender, with early and late season varieties such as Hyacinth and Asters, so there’s always something in bloom to keep your garden’s bees happy.”

Shop the range:

• Lavender, 3 for £15

3. Grow organic - “Choosing organic fertilisers is a fool-proof way to make sure your pit stop is totally bee and wildlife friendly! Make simple swaps and exchange harsh, chemical fertilisers for organic alternatives to improve the health of your whole garden. Not only will your plants be blooming but choosing organic fertilisers is good for your garden’s bees too.”

Shop the range:

• Verve ‘Safe by Nature’ Plant Food Granules, £8.07, B&Q
• Verve ‘Safe by Nature’ Plant Food Liquid 1L, £4.12, B&Q

4. Create an ‘Air Bee&Bee’ – “A great way to get creative with your bee pit stop and get the whole family involved is to make a home for bee’s not only to pollinate flowers but to rest and lay their eggs. Positioned perfectly next to your pollinators, plant pots make an ideal base. Use bamboo canes to create tunnels inside your pot and fix these down with clay for extra stability. Fill any remaining gaps between your bamboo the pot with moss and leaves for added insulation and finally, wind twine or string around the circumference of your pot and hang one meter from the ground. This makes a perfect place for bees to retire to and seek shelter. Female bees might even leave nectar and pollen in the canes for their grubs to feed on.”

Shop the range:

• Gardman Bamboo Canes, £5.47, B&Q
• Verve Garden Ties, £2.93, B&Q

-ENDS-

For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693. ABOUT B&Q

• B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across 40,000 products in 300 stores across the UK and on diy.com

• Their team of more than 27,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.

• Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing.

• B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,200 stores in 10 countries across Europe.

THAT’S SO LAST SEASON! HOTTEST INTERIOR TRENDS PREDICTED FOR THE YEAR AHEAD

• **Blue paint shades, black flooring and geometric walls predicted to be most lust-worthy 2020 trends*
• B&Q’s 3 for 2 offers on paint, flooring and tiles make it easier to get the look for less

Monday 14th October 2019: Attention trend spotters! Today the most lust-worthy interior trends of 2020 have been revealed by B&Q; with hues of blue, moody black living room floors and metallic geometric walls all set to be big hitters. Drawing on DIY.com search data, top selling products and insight from in-house experts, the UK’s leading home improvement retailer has forecasted what will be hot in 2020 across paint, flooring and wallpaper.

Whether it’s small but impactful paint jobs or cheating your way to Insta-ready floors, these trends are easy to adopt and can be done in a day. Kirsty Mole, Category Manager for Décor at B&Q, shares her top tips on how to incorporate the five hottest interior looks of 2020 into your home. What’s more, updating your interiors ready for the turn of the decade is now even more affordable with B&Q offering 3 for 2 on paint, flooring and tiles from now until 3rd November.

1. BLUE IS THE REIGNING HUE – Prevailing as the most searched for colour (behind shades of white and grey), it’s easy to see why blue is emerging as the coolest trend that will rule as the colour for 2020. Its depth and range makes blue one of the most versatile colours, giving the option to be brave with vibrant and rich tones, or soft and tranquil with lighter or muted shades. Its colour versatility is equalled by its usability, making it the perfect choice for many spaces. With blue predicted as a best-seller in 2020, Kirsty Mole shares inspiration and ideas for the most up to date ways to use different shades:

   • “Match inky woodwork and walls – The devil is often in the detail when it comes to chic interiors, but by simply matching your woodwork to your wall you can create an effortlessly stylish look. Opt for smooth, powdery blue-grey shades such as GoodHome Antibes paint or muted teal for ultimate impact.”

   • “Statement walls with a twist – Traditional ‘feature walls’ may have fallen out of fashion, but 2020 will see people breaking the boundaries with straight lines, angles and interesting shapes to give this old favourite a new, modern twist. Bright blue shades make for a great base colour, and then you can get playful with shapes to inject personality. For extra intrigue, intersect open shelving across feature walls.”

LET THE SEASONS LEAD YOU – Search data shows that consumers get experimental with paint palettes at different times of year, with spring bringing a rise in searches for pink (26%) and yellow (9%) paint on diy.com vs. autumn and winter months. In preparation for brighter, sunnier days to come, Kirsty shares her top picks for using pink and yellow paint shades in your home in the 2020 way:

• “Taking pink past millennials - Pink is often shyed away from for the fear of it looking childish. If you’re scared of the brighter ‘millennial pink’ tones, go for a more sophisticated washed pink, such as GoodHome Kyoto paint, for an elegant and clean look.”

• “Inject a touch of sunshine - Traditionally the sunshine colour, yellow doesn’t just have to be for summer. Perfect for injecting cheer into any room, try mixing and matching yellow shades, such as GoodHome Andalusia paint and GoodHome Gran via paint, as the pigments complement one another.”

STRIKE OPULANCE WITH FLOORING – High impact yet affordable, easy to install flooring is predicted to be in vogue in 2020 with search terms combining ‘luxury’ and ‘flooring’ soaring on diy.com. Within this category, dramatic styles that demand attention and broadcast extravagance are set to dominate as an interior trend next year. Kirsty shares B&Q’s top flooring looks for the new decade:

• “Moody black slate takes centre stage – The popularity of using melodramatic black floor tiles is on the rise, but in quite an unexpected place – namely the living room. To get the moody look, try the GoodHome Jazy Slate Tile click flooring. The beauty of click-flooring is that it's affordable to buy and easy to use, making experimentation with different materials and laying techniques a doddle. Not only is it a quick and convenient way to achieve luxury floors that look more expensive than they are, these tiles are also harder wearing than laminate flooring. It’s easy to see why ‘luxury vinyl click flooring’ has becoming a regular feature in diy.com’s top 3 flooring search terms.

• “New generation wood flooring is even more stylish” – Traditional wooden flooring continues be a timeless classic with the oak colourway consistently featuring in B&Q’s top 20 flooring products. However, for those who don’t mind investing a little more time when it comes to installing high impact flooring, 2020 will give this stylish favourite a modern revamp with slim tiles laid in herringbone patterns. Lead the pack into the new decade with GoodHome Skara Natural Oak solid wood flooring, perfect when paired with chic, industrial inspired furniture.”

1. INTO A METALLIC DIMENSION – The geometric wallpaper trend shows no sign of slowing down in 2020, but search data indicates that it will take on a shiny new twist with shades of rose, silver and gold on the rise. With clever product quirks, Kirsty’s trend predications for the year ahead are set to be a hit with homeowners and renters alike:

• “Shiny new walls, made easier - Geometric prints give instant art deco glamour to bedrooms, living rooms and hallways. What’s more, we see this trend taking off even among renters as many styles come using ‘Paste the wall’ technology. This nifty product saves up to 30% of the time traditionally required to hang wallpaper, requires no pasting table and simply peels off when you fancy a change or are moving out”.

- END -

For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Featured products include: + GoodHome Walls & ceilings Antibes paint Silk Emulsion paint 2.5L, £12 + Valspar interior paint available from £12 + GoodHome Walls & ceilings Kyoto paint Matt Emulsion paint 2.5L, £12 + GoodHome Walls & ceilings Andalusia Matt Emulsion paint 2.5L, £12 + GoodHome Walls & ceilings Gran via Matt Emulsion paint 2.5L, £12 + GoodHome Jazy Slate Tile effect Luxury vinyl click flooring, 2.23m2 Pack, £49.06 + GoodHome Skara Natural Oak Solid wood flooring, 0.86m² Pack, £49.02 + Fine décor Apex Rose gold Geometric Metallic effect Wallpaper, £16 + GoodHome Ajuga Charcoal Art deco Rose gold metallic effect Wallpaper, £16

ABOUT B&Q + B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across 40,000 products in 300 stores across the UK and on diy.com + Their team of more than 27,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride. + Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing. + B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,200 stores in 10 countries across Europe.

5 OF THE HOTTEST OUTDOOR TRENDS YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS SUMMER

The UK is heating up just in time for the Summer and so are outdoor spaces, with research showing 1 in 10 Brits are now saying it’s the most important aspect of their home.

2019 sees the comeback of some garden and interior favourites, from the classic terracotta pot to timeless monochrome patterns. If you’re looking for a twist on a trusted technique, layering a variety of textures is sure to take outdoor spaces to a new level. For colour schemes, bright tones that pop will truly add style in any sized space, or opt for the rising star ‘ochre’, for a nature-inspired spin on the defining colour for the new generation.

B&Q’s Outdoor Market Manager, Christopher Ray, shares how to work these trends to keep ahead of the curb and on the way to a stylish outdoor space.

1. The rise of ochre – Ochre has been the hot colour in interiors this year and outdoors is no exception. Bringing a subtle pop of colour to outdoor spaces, the muted tone is a sophisticated spin on Gen Z Yellow, and its earthiness is perfectly suited to a space surrounded by nature. Incorporate this trend into your outdoor space to bring a splash of sunshine even on a cloudy day.

Shop the look:

• Cocoon Tassel Throw, B&Q, £17
• Rural Cocoon Fringe Cushion, B&Q, £7
• Rural Beige Fringed Hammock, B&Q, £39
• Blooma Cocoon Sauterne Twill Outdoor Rug , B&Q, £25

2. Monochrome mania – A classic is timeless, which explains why this black and white combination is still top of the exterior lust-list. A trend that has stood the test of time, monochrome is super simple to incorporate into spaces, no matter your design credentials. A great place to start are cushions and throws, or if you’re looking for something a little more daring, why not try upgrading seating to a stylish monochrome set.

Shop the look:

• Morillo Multicolour Metal Chair, £42, B&Q
• Denia Black & White Broken Line Cushion, £8, B&Q
• Denia Black & White Chevron Woven Cushion, £12, B&Q
• Denia Black & Off White Chevron Woven Cushion, £8, B&Q

3. Textures with a twist - With rattan being firmly back on radars, adding small touches of texture through accessories is a clever way of elevating outdoor spaces to look chic and modern. The maximalist look is in, so perfect the art of layering textures through knitted throws and tassled cushions or pairing outdoor rugs with your garden furniture. This will really build up your space adding more depth and a cosy feel.

Shop the look:

• Apolima Rattan Effect Armchair, £54, B&Q
• Mayotte Metal 6 Seater Dining Set, £600, B&Q
• Rural Grey Fluffy Throw, B&Q, £17
• Blooma Birch & Moonless rug, B&Q, £18

4. Bright colours for small spaces – Popping brights are a trend we’re seeing more and more of in outdoor spaces, but this year, they’re breaking the mould. To be right on trend this season, try this style out in smaller outdoor areas such as courtyards and balconies for an easy win which is sure to make an impact, no matter the square footage you’re working with.

Shop the Look:

• Nurgul Round Pink Pot, B&Q, £5
• Nurgul Rectangular Green Pot, B&Q, £14
• Saba Metal 2 Seater Bistro Set, B&Q, £60

5. Take back terracotta - You heard it here first, the humble terracotta pot is making a comeback to UK gardens this summer. A staple in our shed for years gone by, you’ll see these trusty pots popping up in gardens all over the UK this year. Why not use it as an opportunity to start a spot of gardening and surround yourself with some brand new plants for the summer months?

Shop the Look:

• Blooma Mango & Whisper Outdoor Rug B&Q, £18
• Rural Mango Plain Outdoor Cushion, B&Q, £7
• Laleh Round Terracotta Pot, B&Q, £2.50
• Denia Mango Throw, B&Q, £17

-ENDS-

NOTES TO EDITORS:

For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693. The research was conducted by OnePoll, surveying 2,000 UK garden owners in March 2019.

*Research of 2,000 people with gardens conducted by OnePoll on behalf of B&Q in April 2019

ABOUT B&Q

• B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across 40,000 products in 300 stores across the UK and on diy.com

• Their team of more than 27,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.

• Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing.

• B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,200 stores in 10 countries across Europe.

HOW DIY AND B&Q HAS CHANGED IN 50 YEARS

5 MARCH 2019: 50 years ago today, Richard Block and David Quayle first opened the doors to their first store in Portswood, Southampton. The first B&Q (then called Block & Quayle) broke the mould of DIY shops, taking it from builders’ merchants and hardware stores, to a store that put everything under one roof. Now, half a decade on, the way B&Q’s customers live, shop and improve their homes has changed dramatically, and the brand is changing too, constantly seeking new ways to make home improvement projects simpler, more affordable, and accessible for everyone.

Before the store opened in a disused cinema in 1969, professional building supplies were hard to come by, and DIY was a hobby of the few. Block and Quayle wanted to bring value, longer opening hours and a broader product range to everyone.

According to architecture and design historian, broadcaster and writer, Tom Dyckhoff, the launch came at a crucial point in British modern history:

“The late 1960s saw an unprecedented rate of home building (over 425,000 in 1968), and the early 1970s saw the vast extension of mortgages for the first time. Both of these factors led to a massive expansion in home ownership.

“The following ‘do-it-yourself revolution’ of the 1970s gave young British homeowners a bold new sense of self-sufficiency – think The Good Life!”

At the same time, B&Q was growing across the South West in its own ‘do-it-yourself fashion’, with its headquarters taking shape as a 16ft caravan in the car park that the pair bought for £123.

Since then, B&Q’s customers’ homes have changed dramatically. Today, urbanisation has resulted in smaller housing and less outdoor space, whilst growing numbers of people now rent their homes.

Home improvement undoubtedly means something different to today’s generation than it did to the owners of yesterday, but it still remains as one of the UK population’s top spending priorities - 74% of UK households undertook home improvement of some kind in 2017 . To mark 50 years of B&Q, we take a look at the key products that played a part in the way the nation improves its homes.

Lawn and order – Lawnmowers

Keeping the lawn green and tidy has always been important to Brits, but lumbering a big, heavy, and hard-to-manoeuvre lawnmower around the garden, without getting tied up in the cord seemed impossible.

Now lawnmowers are lighter, more ergonomic, and battery powered – making it easier to tidy those hard to reach areas, allowing more time for you to enjoy your garden.

B&Q’s brand new innovative Erbauer 36v cordless lawnmower (priced at £398) takes the effort out of garden maintenance. Part of the new Erbauer cordless garden power tools range, it has one shared battery for all products, saving money and time and without the hassle of having to charge multiple tools.

The hole truth - Polyfilla

Before the days of Polyfilla, repairing any scores or gouges in plasterwork meant having to get a plasterer in to skim over the mess. While not the most glamorous of products, this often over-looked hero of home improvement means everyone can do it. Easy to mix, it plugs all of the unsightly cracks and holes, but can be sanded off when dried – easy peasy!

Let’s stick together – ‘Paste the wall’ wallpaper

One of the products that has most transformed in the last fifty years is the home improvement staple – wallpaper. Up until the 1970s, wallpaper had to be trimmed by hand, down both edges, rather than being conveniently available in a roll. Once cut, the job of pasting was equally difficult – messy to handle and a nightmare if you got some on the brightly printed design.

Now, the advent of ‘paste the wall’ wallpaper means the job is easier. When you want to remove, simply lift a corner at the base of the wall and peel upwards - no need for steaming or soaking.

Know How - Watch and learn

While expert advice can still be sourced from colleagues in store, there has also been a significant change in the way customers look for help and advice with home improvement projects. Over 60 per cent of people aged 18-29 watch a B&Q “How to do it” video on YouTube to help them when doing home improvement jobs, the highest percentage of any age group. B&Q has 293 ‘how to’ / inspirational videos on YouTube - the most popular videos are 'How to lay sheet vinyl flooring' which has nearly 5 million views, and ‘How to grow and harvest strawberries’, which has over 1.7million views.

Further help and advice is also available through B&Q Club, with regularly emails include a monthly gardening guide.

A great time for change

It’s been a great 50 years of change and there’s no doubt that customers and homes will continue to change in the next half decade, and B&Q is changing too, constantly seeking new ways to make home improvement projects simpler, more affordable, and accessible for everyone.

ENDS

50 YEARS OF HIGHLIGHTS FROM B&Q

B&Q in the 1960s

The first B&Q store opened in Portswood, Southampton, on 5th March 1969 by founders Block and Quayle.

B&Q in the 1970s

B&Q grew to meet customers’ demand for homes that reflected their groovy new tastes such as avocado bathroom suites and psychedelic patterns. The decade also saw the introduction of revolutionary new products such as power tools, sheet boarding and Formica.

B&Q in the 1980s

Everything grew in the 80s: hair, shoulder pads, B&Q’s product range and B&Q’s stores. B&Q bought Scottish DIY chain Dodge City and became part of the Kingfisher Group, then known as Pater Noster public.

1989 also saw B&Q blaze the trail for older workers when its Macclesfield store was staffed entirely with employees aged over 50 for trial period. The initiative produced 18 per cent higher profits with six times less staff turnover.

B&Q in the 1990s

As Cool Britannia was taking over the world, B&Q also embraced new opportunities further afield as it merged with France's leading DIY retailer, Castorama, to become the largest DIY retailer in Europe. Back at home, B&Q opened for business on Sundays, meaning that customers could crack on with their home improvements projects.

In 1995, B&Q was also a founding partner of the Forest Stewardship Council®, meaning the company was able to start checking that the forests were being managed responsibly. If wood is harvested as part of a carefully prepared management plan, biodiversity can be maintained and the forest protected for the long term.

B&Q in the 2000s

In 2001, B&Q launched www.diy.com so that customers could buy everything they needed for their home improvement project in just a few clicks.

With an increasing awareness of the need to protect our planet, it also developed a sustainability programme, to ensure the business operates with environmental responsibility at its core.

B&Q in the 2010s

The way customers shop, use their homes and live their lives are still evolving, and B&Q continues to bring customers brilliant solutions that are innovative and sustainable, such as easyGrow™ packaging. In 2018 the retailer was the first to remove all neonicotinoid pesticides from all of its flowering plants where they present the biggest risk of harm to bees.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.

ABOUT B&Q

• B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across 40,000 products in 300 stores across the UK and on diy.com

• Their team of more than 27,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.

• Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing.

• B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,200 stores in 10 countries across Europe.

Families in Sheffield benefit from £1 million raised by B&Q for charity partner Shelter

• £1 million raised helps to fund Shelter and B&Q’s DIY Skills Adviser Service
• Local tradesperson, Denise Milnes, shares her experience working as a DIY Skills Adviser for Shelter, helping families living in poor housing conditions in Sheffield

22 February 2019 – A new DIY Skills Adviser service launched by B&Q and Shelter, has helped almost 900 people in Sheffield. The service which began in the city, before being launched nationwide, aims to help those in poor housing feel happier and safer in their homes. B&Q, which funds the service as Shelter’s national charity partner, confirmed that the retailer and its customers have raised £1million for the project over the last two years.

The partnership with homeless and housing charity Shelter is part of B&Q’s ongoing commitment to create good homes for everyone by making home improvement more accessible. The DIY Skills Adviser service helps those living in poor housing or settling into a new home after a period of homelessness, by teaching them practical home improvement skills that can help improve their environment.

Long-time Sheffield resident, Denise Milnes, is one of Shelter’s specialist DIY Skills Advisers. Having lived in the area for almost 40 years, Denise takes great pride in being able to give back to her local community.

Denise has been working with Shelter in Sheffield for three years. She previously worked as a self-employed trades person and is well placed to put her expertise, passion and experience into building her client’s confidence and equipping them with all the skills they need to create a happier, safer home for themselves and their families.

There are many reasons why people might need the DIY Skills Advisor service; they might not be keeping up with maintenance and are at risk of eviction; they may have been supported into their first permanent accommodation after a period of homelessness and can finally put their own stamp on a home – this might be painting a room, assembling flat pack furniture or fixing a lock; or their property might not cater for their needs and requires little adaptations. Many of Shelter clients have been through a very traumatic time and even the smallest of home improvement tasks can feel too daunting to undertake.

Denise explains: “I’m proud to have worked with Shelter Sheffield for the past three years as a DIY Skills Adviser. Being in my line of work has given me the skills which can help build the foundations for a good home –the difference some wallpaper , a bit of paint and some soft furnishings can make to someone’s home should never be underestimated.”

“Through Shelter and with the support of B&Q, I’m able to teach these skills to a number of people who, due to circumstance, have never had the opportunity to pick up a drill or a paintbrush before. Having lived in Sheffield for almost 40 years, it’s incredible to be able to give back to the local community. I love helping my clients create good homes and there’s nothing better than watching them put the finishing touches to their project, stepping back and hearing them say ‘I did that’.”

“Recently, we worked with a local family who had just moved from overcrowded accommodation into a bigger home. We helped decorate a nine-year old boy’s room. He has previously been sharing a room with his Mum and younger Sister and had never had his own room before. He chose his own wallpaper and paint from B&Q, and his mum and I decorated his room together. His Mum told me he loved it!”

A representative from Shelter added: “Through the DIY Skills Adviser service, we see first-hand how simple, practical improvements really can make a huge difference to where someone lives. It’s through the important work that people like Denise do and support from B&Q that we’re able to equip people with essential home improvement skills, meaning our families can create the foundations of a home to build a future on.”

Dean Castle, Deputy Manager at B&Q Queens Road said “We’d like to thank all of B&Q’s customers and colleagues for helping us raise £1 million for Shelter. At B&Q, we believe that home improvement should be accessible for everyone, and this ongoing partnership with Shelter allows us to support individuals and families in creating good homes.”

Sheffield was the first region to benefit from the DIY Skills Adviser service. As a result of the success of the service, and the partnership with B&Q, the service is now available in six cities: Bristol, Birmingham, Liverpool, London, Manchester and Sheffield.

-ENDS-

NOTES TO EDITORS:

For more info please contact the B&Q Press Office on B&Q@goodrelations.co.uk / 0207 932 3693.

ABOUT B&Q

• B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer, offering great prices across 40,000 products in 300 stores across the UK and on diy.com
• Their team of more than 27,000 colleagues of all ages are respected nation-wide for providing great home improvement help to customers. They’re the beating heart of B&Q and their iconic orange aprons are worn with pride.
• Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year the company achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing.
• B&Q is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company which operates over 1,200 stores in 10 countries across Europe.

About Shelter: Shelter helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through our advice, support and legal services. We campaign to make sure that, one day, no one will have to turn to us for help. For free and independent advice from Shelter visit: https://england.shelter.org.uk/get_help