THE second lockdown means many shops must close, but DIY stores are considered an “essential” under the government’s rules and will stay open for business.
You can head down to B&Q to pick up must-haves that can’t wait, provided you follow the safety measures they have in place in store – but click and collect or home delivery could be easier.
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Is B&Q open?
The government rules for lockdown divide shops into essential and non-essential, with essential shops allowed to continue operating and non-essential shops forced to close.
B&Q and all DIY stores are considered essential and so they can stay open. along with supermarkets, banks and even garden centres.
Stores are open from 7am until 8pm from Monday to Saturday and from 10am to 4pm on Sundays, but check ahead in case there are any local changes.
You can use B&Qs find a store tool to find the opening times near you.
You should only go to B&Q if it’s for essentials, for example a part to fix your plumbing or if it’s related to moving home – uou can still browse and shop for non-essentials online.
What are the rules for shopping at B&Q stores?
When you go to a B&Q store you can expect some safety measures and rules you’ll have to follow to keep everyone safe as coronavirus cases rise, including yourself and others.
You’ll have to follow social distancing measures in store and if you’re queuing to get in outside, keeping 2m apart and you have to wear a mask. unless exempt.
There will be markers and signage explaining what you need to do.
B&Q is advising people shop at quieter times of the day, which is earlier in the morning and later in the afternoon, when they can expect less queuing,
The retailer is also asking people to shop with no more than four people from one household.
You should have a shopping list ready so that staff can guide you to the right section rather than browsing.
At the checkout paying with contactless is preferred over cash where possible.
How to protect yourself while online shopping
- GUT FEELING: Stick to popular retailers such as Amazon, Currys and Argos.
If you are looking at less well known sites, trust your instinct. Do not shop anywhere that looks unprofessional, has odd pop-ups or is selling items at prices that seem too good to be true. - FAKE NEWS: Do not reveal any unnecessary personal information. All you need to give is your name, address and payment details.
Avoid clicking on links on emails. Phishing scams can stem from messages that seem legitimate, but send you to bogus sites that collect information to steal your identity.
Instead, type the URL directly into the search bar. - NOT SO SMART: Use your computer instead of your mobile. Most phones do not have anti-virus software, and it is harder to tell whether shortened URLs used on social media are legitimate.
Also, wait until you are home and on a password-protected wifi network as public hotspots do not protect your data. Regularly update your browser to boost your security. - HACKED OFF: Using the same password for every retailer you sign up for may seem like the easy option but it makes hackers’ job easy.
Use complicated passwords, make them different for each site and change them every few months. - ADDRESS IT: Check that the website you are using has HTTPS in the URL, as the “S” indicates that the way your information is being sent is secure. Another sign of a secure site is a small padlock on the screen.
How do I click and collect at B&Q in lockdown?
Order what you want online and you can pick it up in stores, saving you from having to walk around the store.
When you’re buying online choose click ans collect and you’ll have the option to pick it up from your nearest store.
It will be ready to pick up in one hour, unless the store is closing sooner in which case it will be the next day.
You’ll need to have your order confirmation, either on your phone or printed out.. the card you paid with, proof of identity (driving licence, passport or proof of age card).
Someone else can collect the order for you but they will need the order conformation and their own ID.
How do I get B&Q home delivery?
You can buy online and get delivery to your home saving you from having to go to any branch at all.
Next day and named day delivery where you choose the day costs £5 or is free for orders over £50, while there’s an additional £5 fee for Sunday delivery.
Larger items are £10 or free on orders over £250 and for bulk delivery it’s £30 or free on orders over £350.
If you’re ordering an entire bathroom or kitchen and getting it delivered the process is different.
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