1960s

In the 1960s DIY was a hobby of the few. Professional building supplies were mainly found at builder's merchants and the service in these large stores could be intimidating to the average DIY’er. Block and Quayle wanted to bring value, longer opening hours and a broader product range to everyone, so they opened the first B&Q store in Portswood Road, Southampton, Hampshire. Although initially called Block and Quayle, the name was soon shortened to B&Q.

1970s

B&Q's list of stores continued to expand throughout the 1970s, and B&Q introduced products from power tools through to sheet boarding and Formica to the British public. Richard Block left the company in 1976, but David Quayle stayed on to take the company into the next decade. By 1979 there were 26 B&Q stores.

1980s

B&Q grew rapidly during the early 1980s, buying the Scottish DIY chain Dodge City and eventually becoming part of the Kingfisher Group. David Quayle left the company in 1982, and by the end of the decade B&Q had expanded to 280 stores and was offering customers larger stores and an even greater product range, sourced from around the world.

1990s

The 1990s were an exciting time for B&Q. In 1995, the first larger format B&Q Warehouse store opened and B&Q began opening for business on Sundays. In January 1996 B&Q's first store outside the UK was opened in Taiwan.

In 1998 B&Q merged with France's leading DIY retailer, Castorama, to become the largest DIY retailer in Europe. International expansion continued in June 1999 with the opening of a Shanghai store through parent company Kingfisher - B&Q's first in mainland China.

Into the 21st Century

2000

In the year 2000 B&Q opened the 50th B&Q Warehouse in York and baked a big cake to celebrate the opening of its 300th store in Yeading, near Hayes, Middlesex.

2001

B&Q launched its transactional website providing 24 hour, 7 days a week access to B&Q products, expert advice, inspirational room ideas and 'how to' guides, plus general information on our stores, our community activities and links to other useful sites.

2002

B&Q opened its first store in the Republic of Ireland at Liffey Valley, Dublin.

2003

On 27 June, Reg Hill, B&Q's oldest employee, celebrated his 90th birthday. On 14 August, sailing legend Ellen MacArthur opened the 100th B&Q Warehouse in Northern Ireland.

2004

On 1 July, B&Q opened its largest UK store at Trafford Park. At 168,450 square feet, it is three times the size of the pitch at Old Trafford and the biggest B&Q store in Europe. Sydney Prior, B&Q's second oldest employee, celebrated his 90th birthday. B&Q announced its partnership with the British Olympic Association.

 

 

Total number of B&Q stores in UK and Ireland at 05/05/07

B&Q Warehouse: 115

B&Q Mini-Warehouse: 113

B&Q Supercentre: 104

Total B&Q stores: 332

B&Q is part of the Kingfisher Group, who also own Screwfix (68 trade counters) and Trade Depot (6 depots).

Kingfisher is Europe's leading home improvement retail group and the third largest in the world, with leading market positions in the UK, France, Poland, Italy, Turkey, China and Taiwan.

Sales for the year ended 03 February 2007 were £8.7 billion, 50% of which was generated outside the UK. Adjusted pre-tax profit for the year was £396.6 million.

Kingfisher operates over 760 stores in 10 countries in Europe and Asia. Its main retail brands are B&Q, Castorama, Brico Dépôt and Screwfix. Kingfisher also has a 21% interest in, and strategic alliance with Hornbach, Germany's leading DIY warehouse retailer, with over 120 stores across Europe.