B&Q Luton

[Andrew Gabriel]

I heard that B&Q Warehouse in Luton is planning a significant
shrink in size, turning over much of its premises to Morrisons.

A sign of changing times perhaps - maybe less DIY, but also
many more better priced specialist suppliers around now.

--
Andrew Gabriel
[email address is not usable -- followup in the newsgroup]

[news]

On 18/10/2013 12:02, Andrew Gabriel wrote:
> I heard that B&Q Warehouse in Luton is planning a significant
> shrink in size, turning over much of its premises to Morrisons.
>
> A sign of changing times perhaps - maybe less DIY, but also
> many more better priced specialist suppliers around now.
>

Nationwide policy driven by business rates, apparently

http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/business/Companies/article1326798.ece



--
Chris

[Dave]

Andrew Gabriel has brought this to us :

> I heard that B&Q Warehouse in Luton is planning a significant
> shrink in size, turning over much of its premises to Morrisons.
>
> A sign of changing times perhaps - maybe less DIY, but also
> many more better priced specialist suppliers around now.

B&Q Preston (Bamber Bridge) is doing it too. And there's a Sainsbury's
not 200m away - bet they're pleased, not.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

In article <l3r4fi$56j$1...@dont-email.me>,

Andrew Gabriel <and...@cucumber.demon.co.uk> wrote:
> I heard that B&Q Warehouse in Luton is planning a significant
> shrink in size, turning over much of its premises to Morrisons.

> A sign of changing times perhaps - maybe less DIY, but also
> many more better priced specialist suppliers around now.

I have three Homebase, a Wicks and a large B&Q all within a reasonable
distance. During a weekday, all apart from Wicks are quiet. To the point
where I wonder how they make a profit. And both Homebase and B&Q seem to
be converting from the traditional stock to being more like a furniture
store.

And yes - I have a ToolStation not that much further away - so for
anything they stock I'll go there long before a DIY shed.

--
*Warning: Dates in Calendar are closer than they appear.

Dave Plowman da...@davenoise.co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

[Roland Perry]

In message <539c8a3...@davenoise.co.uk>, at 12:51:36 on Fri, 18 Oct
2013, "Dave Plowman (News)" <da...@davenoise.co.uk> remarked:

>Homebase and B&Q seem to be converting from the traditional stock to
>being more like a furniture store.

Homebase did that a long time ago (5-10yrs perhaps).
--
Roland Perry

[Mr Pounder]

"Dave" <no...@needed.com> wrote in message
news:poidnUboFN1Xg_zP...@bt.com...

>Did you also get the leaflet pushed through your letter box? :-)

[Adrian]

On Fri, 18 Oct 2013 11:02:10 +0000, Andrew Gabriel wrote:

> I heard that B&Q Warehouse in Luton is planning a significant shrink in
> size, turning over much of its premises to Morrisons.
>
> A sign of changing times perhaps - maybe less DIY, but also many more
> better priced specialist suppliers around now.

P'raps also a reflection of Luton's unusual paucity of big supermarkets.

[Dave]

Mr Pounder formulated the question :

No, I live in Fulwood so maybe too far away?

[Mr Pounder]

"Dave" <no...@needed.com> wrote in message

news:AY2dnblBRtjCovzP...@bt.com...

Yeah, probably. I'm in Walton Le Dale.
>
>

[Geoff Pearson]

"Andrew Gabriel" <and...@cucumber.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:l3r4fi$56j$1...@dont-email.me...

B&Q in England is much exercised by business rates and is planning to reduce
its estate by at least 15% to save costs. Not sure if this applies to other
countries in the UK.

[Corporal Jones]

On 18/10/2013 12:02, Andrew Gabriel wrote:

> I heard that B&Q Warehouse in Luton is planning a significant
> shrink in size, turning over much of its premises to Morrisons.
>
> A sign of changing times perhaps - maybe less DIY, but also
> many more better priced specialist suppliers around now.
>

Mmm that will please Aldi just across the road from B&Q, still there is
another B&Q down by the airport, Aldi in Dunstable, Morrisons in Luton &
Houghton Regis, Asda in Luton and Dunstable, Tesco in Luton and
Dunstable, Wickes in Dunstable, Homebase in Luton and Dunstable and
Sainsburys in Luton and Dunstable not forgetting a local Screwfix and
Toolstation.
I wonder sometimes how they all make money.

[Broadback]

The same is due to happen to one of the B&Q's in stoke on Trent.

[The Medway Handyman]

On 18/10/2013 12:51, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
> In article <l3r4fi$56j$1...@dont-email.me>,
> Andrew Gabriel <and...@cucumber.demon.co.uk> wrote:
>> I heard that B&Q Warehouse in Luton is planning a significant
>> shrink in size, turning over much of its premises to Morrisons.
>
>> A sign of changing times perhaps - maybe less DIY, but also
>> many more better priced specialist suppliers around now.
>
> I have three Homebase, a Wicks and a large B&Q all within a reasonable
> distance. During a weekday, all apart from Wicks are quiet. To the point
> where I wonder how they make a profit. And both Homebase and B&Q seem to
> be converting from the traditional stock to being more like a furniture
> store.

I rarely use either store. Great if you want scatter cushions or a
table lamp, no good for much else.

>
> And yes - I have a ToolStation not that much further away - so for
> anything they stock I'll go there long before a DIY shed.
>

Interesting that Toolsatan are opening inside Wickes.

--
Dave - The Medway Handyman www.medwayhandyman.co.uk

[Dave Plowman (News)]

In article <M8m6tkaW...@perry.co.uk>,

But even more recently. Now have things like a Laura Ashley section. So
more of the floor area given over to non DIY stuff.

--
*Ever stop to think and forget to start again?

[tony sayer]

In article <l3rlkg$6fk$1...@dont-email.me>, Corporal Jones
<Corpor...@atntlworld.com> scribeth thus

They probably don't from the times I've been to some of these places and
the number of people Not in them..

It seems to me that the councils, government, are pricing them off the
high St with the extortionate rating system, they'll have to learn one
day that this cannot go on...

--
Tony Sayer

[alan]

On 18/10/2013 12:02, Andrew Gabriel wrote:

> I heard that B&Q Warehouse in Luton is planning a significant
> shrink in size, turning over much of its premises to Morrisons.
>
> A sign of changing times perhaps - maybe less DIY, but also
> many more better priced specialist suppliers around now.
>

If it's anything like my place of work. On hearing that colleague has
gone to B&Q, Homebase etc. they are informed that Toolsatan, TCL and
Screwfix all have outlets nearby.

--
mailto:news{at}admac(dot}myzen{dot}co{dot}uk

[chris French]

In message <7zd8u.37970$%V2.2...@fx24.am4>, The Medway Handyman
<davi...@blueyonder.co.uk> writes

Yep, there is a Toolstation inside the new Wickes in Huntingdon, and a
Screwfix over the road, all very handy :-).

The Wickes is not a particularly big store, but then, given that they
now do free next day delivery over Ł50 (not for bulky stuff), maybe
that's a benefit for them (and of course Toolstation will sell lots of
stuff ).

I think the growth of Screwfix and toolstation both online and shops
must have impacted on Homebase/B&Q Before that, there wasn't anything
between the sheds and the builders merchants etc. (which don't open such
handy hours, and can some times feel intimidating). So it probably makes
sense for them to focus more on 'soft' stuff and things where people
often like to see what they are buying (kitchens, bathrooms) etc
--
Chris French

[GMM]

Our local B&Q closed over a year ago and now it's quite a trek to a B&Q
warehouse if you need them.
On the other hand, Toolstation opened inside the local Wickes about a
month ago (was previously a 30min drive to the nearest). I've noticed
that the Wickes car park is much busier since Toolstation opened and the
manager said their turnover has risen steadily week on week.
Now I have a trade account at Selco (very close to Wickes), I can't say
that I miss B&Q in the slightest.

[PeterC]

On Fri, 18 Oct 2013 17:43:50 +0100, The Medway Handyman wrote:

>> And yes - I have a ToolStation not that much further away - so for
>> anything they stock I'll go there long before a DIY shed.
>>
> Interesting that Toolsatan are opening inside Wickes.

The latest TS dogologue has Wickes' products in it - I have'nt compared
prices or which way they have converged.
--
Peter.
The gods will stay away
whilst religions hold sway

[tony sayer]

In article <xv32FhNv...@blackhole.familyfrench.co.uk>, chris French
<newspos...@familyfrench.co.uk> scribeth thus

Dunno .. here in Cambridge Ridgeons do a much wider range of actual
building stuff than whatever B and Q do (Homebase do it better 'tho).
But then again B&Q does far more furnishing and fitting out stuff so
perhaps in a way they complement each other. Meanwhile we're using
Toolstation more and more. One reason is its nearer less petrol and time
and a very friendly service there despite the seemingly high staff
turnover..

>(which don't open such
>handy hours, and can some times feel intimidating). So it probably makes
>sense for them to focus more on 'soft' stuff and things where people
>often like to see what they are buying (kitchens, bathrooms) etc

--

Tony Sayer

[Ramsman]

On 18/10/2013 16:54, Corporal Jones wrote:

Plus the two Lidl branches and a second Sainsburys in Luton.

Machine Mart (not quite the same market sector) opened in Luton not long
ago.There's also a Tooltastic across the road from Toolstation.

--
Peter

[Roland Perry]

In message <eLREcLFd...@bancom.co.uk>, at 10:11:57 on Sat, 19 Oct
2013, tony sayer <to...@bancom.co.uk> remarked:

>here in Cambridge Ridgeons do a much wider range of actual
>building stuff than whatever B and Q do

I usually avoid the "trade" outlets because their prices (to the
non-trade) are generally ludicrously high. And the B&Q in Cambridge is a
rather small one, I have to go to the much larger one in Peterborough to
get a lot of things.
--
Roland Perry

[tony sayer]

In article <fvt8u.227527$G32.2...@fx22.fr7>, Ramsman
<nos...@nowhere.com> scribeth thus

What make me think they ought be selling Viagra and Calis and some other
Proprietary "bonk faster" substances;?..
>

--
Tony Sayer

[Bill]

In message <l3r4fi$56j$1...@dont-email.me>, Andrew Gabriel
<and...@cucumber.demon.co.uk> writes

>I heard that B&Q Warehouse in Luton is planning a significant
>shrink in size, turning over much of its premises to Morrisons.
>
>A sign of changing times perhaps - maybe less DIY, but also
>many more better priced specialist suppliers around now.
>

Interesting, they are about to open a new one in Bedford on November
1st. Close to the Interchange Retail Park near to where the A6 enters
Bedford. It looks to be quite a large one.
--
Bill

[Bill]

In message <bpTv4taA...@perry.co.uk>, Roland Perry
<rol...@perry.co.uk> writes

St Neots, Eaton Socon, is a quite reasonable one, as far as B&Qs go.
Maybe closer than Peterborough? Plus there is a Gibbs and Dandy and a
Jewsons almost next door.

--
Bill

[Theo Markettos]

news <ne...@news.salis2.co.uk> wrote:
> Nationwide policy driven by business rates, apparently
> http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/business/Companies/article1326798.ece

Failing business model with business rates as an excuse?

Theo

[GMM]

On 19/10/2013 08:57, PeterC wrote:
> On Fri, 18 Oct 2013 17:43:50 +0100, The Medway Handyman wrote:
>
>>> And yes - I have a ToolStation not that much further away - so for
>>> anything they stock I'll go there long before a DIY shed.
>>>
>> Interesting that Toolsatan are opening inside Wickes.
>
> The latest TS dogologue has Wickes' products in it - I have'nt compared
> prices or which way they have converged.
>

So far as I can see many things are still divergent under the same roof.
I wanted some roofing bolts today, just a few little 'uns. Looked at
the Wickes rack first: A bag of 12 M6 x 40 ( a bit big for what I
wanted) - Ł2.97. Over to the Toolstation counter (where I was going
anyway) and the same size was Ł1.83 for a bag of 25.

[Roland Perry]

In message <oi409Hus...@birchnet.demon.co.uk>, at 13:38:04 on Sat,
19 Oct 2013, Bill <Bi...@birchnet.demon.co.uk> remarked:

>>I usually avoid the "trade" outlets because their prices (to the
>>non-trade) are generally ludicrously high. And the B&Q in Cambridge is

>>rather small one, I have to go to the much larger one in Peterborough
>>to get a lot of things.
>
>St Neots, Eaton Socon, is a quite reasonable one

That's only a "mini warehouse", the same as Cambridge.
--
Roland Perry

[Bill]

In message <tV+inuG3...@perry.co.uk>, Roland Perry
<rol...@perry.co.uk> writes

Ah ha, I must get out more then! I thought it was quite large.



--
Bill

[The Medway Handyman]

On 19/10/2013 17:40, GMM wrote:
> On 19/10/2013 08:57, PeterC wrote:
>> On Fri, 18 Oct 2013 17:43:50 +0100, The Medway Handyman wrote:
>>
>>>> And yes - I have a ToolStation not that much further away - so for
>>>> anything they stock I'll go there long before a DIY shed.
>>>>
>>> Interesting that Toolsatan are opening inside Wickes.
>>
>> The latest TS dogologue has Wickes' products in it - I have'nt compared
>> prices or which way they have converged.
>>
> So far as I can see many things are still divergent under the same roof.
> I wanted some roofing bolts today, just a few little 'uns. Looked at
> the Wickes rack first: A bag of 12 M6 x 40 ( a bit big for what I

> wanted) - £2.97. Over to the Toolstation counter (where I was going
> anyway) and the same size was £1.83 for a bag of 25.

So they are still selling the same products but at hugely different prices?

I imagined that all the stuff Toolsatan sell cheaper would disappear
from the Wickes shelves?

[jim]

On Friday, 18 October 2013 12:02:10 UTC+1, Andrew Gabriel wrote:
> I heard that B&Q Warehouse in Luton is planning a significant
>
> shrink in size, turning over much of its premises to Morrisons.
>
>
>
> A sign of changing times perhaps - maybe less DIY, but also
>
> many more better priced specialist suppliers around now.

/
/
Hoist by their own petard, if you ask me. Since B&Q started up the 'trade only' sections I go out of my way to avoid buying there (or Screwfix).

The firm has lost its way.

Luckily Toolstation is rapidly catching Screwfix up.

[GMM]

I think there's a bit of prejudice being exploited there: Some people
think that the 'trade-iness' of Toolstation is not right for them, sp
buy from the Wickes stock. Equally, I expect some people haven't even
looked. They're hardly going to turn down a bit of extra profit from
people who can't be bothered to compare. Mind you, I have a garage full
of things I've bought in quantity at less than the price of a small
pack, partly on the basis that I'll find another use for it. Somehow
never seems to happen (or I can't find it when I then need it).

On the other hand, I bought something from Wickes a few weeks ago that
would have been a bit less at the TS counter, but I was buying a pile of
other 'Wickes-only' stuff and couldn't be @rsed to go queue up again for
20p or so.

[Andrew Gabriel]

In article <135e5a91-33b5-4266...@googlegroups.com>,

jim <jim_in...@hotmail.com> writes:
> On Friday, 18 October 2013 12:02:10 UTC+1, Andrew Gabriel wrote:
>> I heard that B&Q Warehouse in Luton is planning a significant
>>
>> shrink in size, turning over much of its premises to Morrisons.
>>
>>
>>
>> A sign of changing times perhaps - maybe less DIY, but also
>>
>> many more better priced specialist suppliers around now.
> /
> /
> Hoist by their own petard, if you ask me. Since B&Q started up the 'trade only' sections I go out of my way to avoid buying there (or Screwfix).

+1
or at least, I'll only use them in an emergency.

I did get a good deal at the screwfix exhibition though,
Drayton TRV4's with lockshields, £15 each.

Screwfix have tried to get me to join their trade scheme a couple
of times, but I never get around to it, so that business currently
goes to their competitors who don't play such silly games.

[The Medway Handyman]

Thankfully, I do get through screws, plugs, silicone, gripfil quickly
enough to make bulk packs viable. Bear in mind I give small items like
plugs & screws away I'm conscious of the cost.

>
> On the other hand, I bought something from Wickes a few weeks ago that
> would have been a bit less at the TS counter, but I was buying a pile of
> other 'Wickes-only' stuff and couldn't be @rsed to go queue up again for
> 20p or so.

IKWYM but its often a lot more than that.

In B&Q today, in one of their 'offer' bins were packs of 25 single
thread wood screws, 5mm x 40mm for £2.45. At Toolstation they are £2.65
for 200.

[GMM]

I should think it's a significant component of your overhead. Of
course, I'd get through packs more effectively if I ever found a few
hours to organise the bloody garage! I have to admit to liking the
Screwfix Turbogold screws for most things, even if they do cost a bit
more than the cheapest possible, and I have them pretty well
organised/accessible.

>>
>> On the other hand, I bought something from Wickes a few weeks ago that
>> would have been a bit less at the TS counter, but I was buying a pile of
>> other 'Wickes-only' stuff and couldn't be @rsed to go queue up again for
>> 20p or so.
>
> IKWYM but its often a lot more than that.

Indeed. And then it's well worth the double queue.

>
> In B&Q today, in one of their 'offer' bins were packs of 25 single
> thread wood screws, 5mm x 40mm for �2.45. At Toolstation they are �2.65
> for 200.
>

Small packs of screws etc must be one of the highest mark-up items in
retail. I suspect that few 'casual' consumers ever realise that they
could get a better deal, or maybe they just don't do enough jobs to make
it worthwhile having any spare.
Even in B&Q, though, they have boxes for not *too* much more than SFX or
TS, if I recall (been a while since I looked).

[Andy Burns]

GMM wrote:

> I have to admit to liking the Screwfix Turbogold screws for most
> things, even if they do cost a bit more than the cheapest possible

I find they get a bit vicious, especially in the larger sizes and used
with an impact driver, tending to force the pieces of wood apart, rather
than pulling them tight - don't seem to have that problem with the
Goldscrew Plus - they're also a tad cheaper.

[The Medway Handyman]

The fully threaded sizes do that. The trick is to reverse it out, then
drive it in again.

[The Medway Handyman]

Advertising & fuel etc are the biggest.

> Of course, I'd get through packs more effectively if I ever found a few
> hours to organise the bloody garage! I have to admit to liking the
> Screwfix Turbogold screws for most things, even if they do cost a bit
> more than the cheapest possible, and I have them pretty well
> organised/accessible.

I have a metal organiser box with Turbogold & another with Quicksilver.
These are on special every now & again & well worth it.

>
>>>
>>> On the other hand, I bought something from Wickes a few weeks ago that
>>> would have been a bit less at the TS counter, but I was buying a pile of
>>> other 'Wickes-only' stuff and couldn't be @rsed to go queue up again for
>>> 20p or so.
>>
>> IKWYM but its often a lot more than that.
>
> Indeed. And then it's well worth the double queue.
>
>>
>> In B&Q today, in one of their 'offer' bins were packs of 25 single
>> thread wood screws, 5mm x 40mm for �2.45. At Toolstation they are �2.65
>> for 200.
>>
> Small packs of screws etc must be one of the highest mark-up items in
> retail. I suspect that few 'casual' consumers ever realise that they
> could get a better deal, or maybe they just don't do enough jobs to make
> it worthwhile having any spare.

Indeed.

> Even in B&Q, though, they have boxes for not *too* much more than SFX or
> TS, if I recall (been a while since I looked).
>

Last time I went in, having run out of 1 x 8 Quicksilver, 200 were over
a �5. Toolsatan about �1.