B&Q store set to close

Five B&Q stores across Northern Ireland are also due to close with the possible loss of up to 300 jobs.

Kingfisher, the company that owns B&Q, is undergoing a major restructuring and as a result it is closing 60 stores across the UK.

It had previously been announced that the Londonderry and Belfast Boucher Road branches were to close.

Now it has been confirmed that branches at Sprucefield, Ballymena and Craigavon are also affected.

“I am totally stunned at this news,” said Mr Craig. “This is a dreadful blow not only for the Lisburn community but the Sprucefield complex as well.”

Local politicians have called for meetings with management, following the announcement.

The local store is one of five due to close, including Ballymena, Craigavon, Londonderry’s Buncrana Road and Belfast’s Boucher Road.

In a statement B&Q said, “To respond to the changing needs of customers and how they live and shop, B&Q is changing the shape of its store network across the UK.

“In March 2015, B&Q confirmed plans to reduce its selling space by around 15% across the UK over the next two years.

“Following a review of retail space requirements in Northern Ireland, B&Q has confirmed it proposes to move its business to four store locations in Northern Ireland by January 2017, with the closure of five stores.

“As well as at the four remaining stores, customers in Northern Ireland will be served by B&Q’s online store, diy.com, which offers over 40,000 home improvement products and a choice of delivery to the customer’s home or to their local store, using the new Click & Collect service.

“The decision to reshape the store network has not been taken lightly and B&Q will endeavour to find positions for as many employees who are affected by the change as possible, either at the four remaining B&Q stores or elsewhere in the Kingfisher Group, such as at Screwfix.

“In addition, B&Q is in discussion with other retailers about the future of the store locations and job opportunities.”

Diarmuid Walsh, Divisional Director for Northern Ireland, B&Q, said: “B&Q has served the people of Northern Ireland for 26 years and the decision to reshape our store network in the region has been a hard one to make, however, it forms an important part of our mission to reinvent home improvement for the modern age.