Screwfix is scheduled to open its first dedicated DIY store on Saturday
(March 24) at Shepton Mallet in Somerset. Named DIY Express, the 5,000sq
ft store is located at the Haskins Retail Centre.

DIY Express Ltd was incorporated in September last year. The directors
are Graham Bell and Jon Mewett, both directors of Screwfix Direct. There
is no indication in the company's registration details of a direct link
with B&Q, which like Screwfix is owned by Kingfisher, but the opening
comes after many years of speculation about the possible development of
a small-format B&Q store.

The store opening will be hosted by Ground Force's Charlie Dimmock and
Julia Kendall of DIY SOS, together with Shepton Mallet council chairman
Chris Inchley. The first 100 customers will receive a free 23-piece DIY
tool kit, and all customers will have the chance to meet the Dulux dog,
and win £250-worth of Dulux paint on the day.

"With the DIY season upon us, we're really excited to be opening the
first ever DIY Express in Shepton Mallet," said store manager John
Stinchcombe. A second DIY Express is scheduled to open at Hayes in
Middlesex next week, and Screwfix has been recruiting staff for the
Hayes unit through its website.

Haskins Group MD Kevin Haskins said the DIY Express opening will be a
huge boost for other businesses in Shepton Mallet. Existing tenants at
the Haskins Retail Centre include Aldi, Edinburgh Woollen Mill, Ponden
Home, and Haskins Furniture.

Local competitor Right Price DIY, which seems to have had Shepton Mallet
to itself since Focus DIY closed last summer, is responding aggressively
to the DIY Express opening. It is promising a free gift to the first 100
customers to spend £10 instore on March 24 - and to ensure a healthy
footfall it is offering a blanket '20% off everything' on the day DIY
Express opens.

http://www.diyweek.net/news/news.asp?id=15441


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Dave - The Medway Handyman www.medwayhandyman.co.uk