"Almost 200,000 people in B&Q website queue as people turn to DIY amid coronavirus lockdown"

[dutchman]

https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/ ... e-18074102

Strange, I've seen hardly anybody there when I've been passing? The car park is deserted and so are most of the outside collection points.

[rebbonk]

According to daughter, the stores themselves are closed to the public, but you can order online for collection and they'll bring the items out to your car. - I am still not going to decorate before all this is over!

[dutchman]

DIY store gridlock hold up fire crews responding to emergency



Firefighters were delayed getting to an emergency call in Coventry due to huge traffic jams as people tried to get to a DIY store despite instructions to stay at home.

The queues were snaked along the A428 Brandon Road on Tuesday morning (April 14) as people tried to make their way to B&Q.

This meant a fire engine and its crew were stuck in the backing up traffic.

The Government has made it clear that people should only leave their homes for essential trips, such as travelling to work if it cannot be done at home or to go shopping for essential food and items.

[dutchman]

Coventry B&Q will reopen as list of 14 locations revealed



A B&Q in Coventry is set to reopen.

The DIY giant has announced it is to reopen 14 warehouses across the UK.

It comes three weeks after they were closed at the start of lockdown.

Two branches have already reopened this morning - in Paisley and West Thurrock.

The others on the list - including Coventry's Brandon Road store - will open in the coming days ahead.

The stores will not offer Click & Collect.

Instead the branches will be open to customers from 8am to 5pm, reports the Daily Star.

A B&Q spokesperson said: "Similar to shopping at a supermarket, we’ve introduced social distancing controls at these re-opened stores.

"We’re strictly limiting the number of customers in store at any one time, and so customers may need to queue before entering the store.

"To help remind everyone to respect each other’s personal space, we have two metre floor markers throughout these stores and also perspex screens at the checkouts."

Services such as kitchen and bathroom design, paint mixing, timber cutting and key cutting are not available.

The spokesperson added: "We’re urging all customers to follow the government’s social distancing guidelines and to shop responsibly only for what is necessary."