B&Q opens new superstore in Penrith
DIY giant, B&Q, has opened the doors to its brand new superstore at Castle Retail Park in Penrith.
Joining store manager John McCreadie in the ceremonial ribbon cutting, was John Thompson, Conservative Councillor for Penrith West and a number of pupils from Orton C of E Primary School. The youngsters will be painting their school’s exterior walls later this summer, thanks to a paint donation from their friends at the new store.
Councillor Thompson commented: “I’m honoured to be here today to support John and the team as they unveil their stunning new store. Penrith is a thriving market town and it’s important that residents and tradesmen have access to leading retailers such as B&Q. At the same time, stores such as this are invaluable in the jobs that they provide. This is a great day for the town.”
Meanwhile Orton School’s Head teacher, Mrs Kate Arnold, added: “We had the pleasure of meeting a number of B&Q staff members last week when they visited us in Orton. They’ve been kind enough to donate a large quantity of masonry paint to the school which will be put to very good use this summer as we go about essential maintenance works. The children have loved being a part of this special day – it’s given them a really useful insight into the world of DIY, gardening and retail.”
The new 41,000 sq ft superstore, which replaces the former branch on Bridge Street, has created jobs in the local area by employing 60 members of staff, 40 of whom are new hires.
A variety of roles were available as sales consultants, showroom operatives and customer service advisors along with opportunities in the garden centre, replenishment and warehousing. The store boasts a great diversity of age and experience, with the oldest staff member recruited being 65, reflecting B&Q’s policy to scrap retirement age over ten years ago, and the youngest 18.
Store manager, John McCreadie, who previously managed the town’s Bridge Store said: “Today is a very special day for us and sees the culmination of many months of hard work. I’m incredibly proud of the team who pulled together so seamlessly to get us opened on time and looking so fantastic. New staff members have been working side-by-side the existing Bridge Street team and we’re all raring to go and ready to help the people of Penrith unleash their inner B&Q!
“B&Q is a fantastic company to work for – we’re so much more than just a retailer and really want to establish ourselves as a focal point for the community. We’re thrilled to see our friends from Orton School here today and can’t wait to help them paint their school later this summer. It’s so important to us that we’re doing our bit for the region and we have many more partnership projects in the pipeline.”
The new store has taken just over nine months to build and will stock over 20,000 products as part of an extensive range of garden and home improvement products. The store format is designed to make it easier for customers to find their way around, using colour coding to identify different sections.
Additionally, the store boasts Cumbria’s first ever TradePoint counter with goods from hundreds of quality brands such as Dulux, Bosch and De Walt at trade prices. The counter will be open seven days a week for local tradesmen, further boosting the local economy by helping sole traders and small businesses.
B&Q already makes a significant contribution to the local economy and the country at large as the UK’s leading home improvement retailer. The retailer’s 362 stores serve over 3 million customers per week – and parent company, Kingfisher, also serves another 2.5 million customers in the plumbing, heating, electrical and insulation industries through sister firm Screwfix.
ENDS
B&Q is the UK’s leading home improvement and garden living retailer. Its 360 home warehouses employ more than 30,000 people from all walks of life.
Every year, more than 20 million people make their homes and outdoor living better with B&Q, and every year it achieves ever-higher standards for sustainable sourcing. For more information about B&Q please visit
www.diy.com/aboutus.
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