B&Q has officially returned to Altrincham after a nine-year absence with the opening of its new 41,000 sq ft store on Altrincham Retail Park.
The DIY retailer, which closed its previous Atlantic Street location in 2016, has taken over the former Homebase site on George Richards Way following a deal announced earlier this year.
The store is the first of eight former Homebase locations acquired by B&Q to open its doors, following Homebase falling into administration in January, which had put 2,000 jobs at risk across 74 stores nationwide.
Altrincham Today has had an exclusive first look inside the new store, which now employs 38 staff - including 19 former Homebase employees who have transferred to B&Q - and 19 newly recruited positions.
The expansive retail space stocks over 16,000 home improvement products across departments including decorating, building, plumbing, lighting, tools, and bathroom and kitchen design.
A dedicated garden centre has also been established, offering outdoor plants and gardening equipment.
Trade professionals haven't been forgotten, with a dedicated TradePoint counter established within the store. Additional services include timber cutting and Valspar paint mixing, while customers can use the click and collect service in as little as 15 minutes for stocked items, with next-day collection available for thousands of additional products.
Paddy Earnshaw, B&Q's Retail Director, said: "Today's opening of B&Q Altrincham marks the beginning of eight new store openings throughout April and May.
"This enables us to deliver on our commitment to bring B&Q and TradePoint's extensive range of home improvement products and services to more customers across the UK and Ireland."
The company has already begun establishing connections with the local community.
Prior to opening, B&Q colleagues volunteered with The Counselling & Family Centre, a local mental health and wellbeing charity, transforming their allotment space by planting new bedding plants, painting an existing shed, installing a new shed, and paving an area to improve accessibility.
B&Q's return fills a significant gap in Altrincham's retail landscape that was created when the company closed its Atlantic Street store in 2016. That unit was subsequently reconfigured to allow Aldi to relocate into its current home in October 2020.
The new B&Q Altrincham is now open seven days a week at Altrincham Retail Park, George Richards Way, WA14 5GR.
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