More good news for DIYers as Homebase opens its doors again in Northampton

Homebase is joining DIY rivals B&Q in reopening its Northampton stores after a five-week shutdown to shoppers during the Covid-19 crisis.

The retailer's Northampton Riverside store was one of 50 stores in the chain which opened yesterday (Wednesday April 29) following successful trials.

Homebase at Daventry's Abbey Retail Park will be open from Saturday (May 2).

Chief Executive Damian McGloughlin said: “We have taken this time to carefully review and make a large number of changes to our operations in preparation for a safe, phased reopening, in line with Government guidance on social distancing.

“It has taken a tremendous amount of hard work and commitment from our teams across all parts of the business to ensure we are ready to safely welcome customers back through our doors.

“I’m extremely grateful for the dedication shown by every single team member, and to our customers, for the huge support and understanding.”

Homebase triailled strict social distancing measures at 20 stores before opening in Northamptonshire.

B&Q stores in Northampton, Wellingborough and Kettering all reopened in the last week.

Wickes is also launching trials at six stores in Pudsey, Cheltenham, Preston, Sevenoaks, Cricklewood and Hailsham starting today as part of plans to open four sites in Northamptonshire.

DIY stores were allowed to stay open when Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the lockdown on March 23 in a bid to slow the spread of the deadly coronavirus bug.

But all the major chains took the decision to move their business online only offering click and collect services as they feared difficulty lwith customers maintaining social the Government's distancing instructions.

That led to chaos outside B&Q's Northampton store as staff were verbally abused by customers when hundreds turned up to collect orders over the Easter weekend.