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Which Wickes and Homebase stores have reopened?
DIY shops have been deemed essential by the government
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DIY retailers Wickes and Homebase have announced they will be reopening some of their stores across the UK, following in the footsteps of B&Q, which reopened most of its stores earlier this week.
The stores have been classed as essential businesses by the government as they stock items that help keep homes warm, safe and accessible to power.
From 14 May, Wickes will be reopening 106 stores across the UK, following a successful trial run of six stores that were reopened on 30 April.
The remaining 108 stores will open on Tuesday 19 May.
It had previously shut all of its shops in March but continued offering home delivery for its customers via its websites.
But, due to the increased demand, delivery times have been delayed and there has been on average a 15-minute wait to enter the website.
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The reopened Wickes stores will have strict social distancing measures in place including limiting the number of customers in-store, floor signs, perspex screens installed at tills and service stations, along with sanitisation stations for staff and customers.
Its timber cutting and paint mixing services will remain unavailable and design appointments will only be fulfilled virtually for shoppers.
It will also only be accepting card and contactless payments and has adjusted its opening hours. The stores will be open between 7am-5pm Monday to Saturday and between 10am-4pm on Sundays, but this will vary depending on the store, find your nearest one here.
From 14 May, the following Wickes stores will be open:
Andover
Ashton Gate
Bridgwater
Chippenham
Midsomer
Salisbury
Truro
Weston
Bognor
Brighton
East Grinstead
Eastbourne
Havant
Hedge End
Littlehampton
Croydon OLD
Dorking
Guildford
Newbury
Sutton
Ashford
Broadstairs
Catford
Maidstone
Maldon
Sittingbourne
Tunbridge
Bishops Stortford
Brentwood
Chadwell Heath
Edmonton
Loughton
St Albans
Tottenham
Waltham Cross
Aylesbury
Hanger Lane
Hayes
High Wycombe
Luton
Milton Keynes
Northampton
Watford
Bracknell
Hanworth
Kingston
Reading
Staines
Banbury
Bridgend
Caerphilly
Cirencester
Haverfordwest
Swindon
Cannock
Halesowen
Handsworth
Stafford
Tamworth
Tunstall
Wolverhampton
Corby
Huntingdon
Kettering
Kings Lynn
Martlesham
Norwich
Peterborough
Rushden
Wisbech
Bulwell
Burton
Derby
Notts Central
Notts North
Nuneaton
Rugby
Barnsley
Beverley
Grimsby
Halifax
Hull
Lincoln
Pontefract
Scunthorpe
Sheffield North
Shipley
Worksop
Aintree
Baguley
Blackpool
Bury
Lancaster
Oldham
Warrington
Winsford
Wrexham
Darlington
Dumfries
Edinburgh
Northallerton
South Shields
Stockton
Sunderland
Wallsend
Since 2 May, Homebase has now reopened all of its 164 stores across the UK.
The reopening happened in stages, which initially began with a trial of 20 stores opening their doors again, with social distancing measures in place.
After the initial success, 50 more shops opened around the country on 29 April.
The stores have opened with “strict controls” in place, according to the retailer, to ensure the safety of staff and customers. These include card payments only, perspex screens at tills and social distance markers on the floor.
Some services, including key cutting, kitchen design appointments, reserve and collect and hiring carpet cleaners will not be available yet.
The opening times will be between 10am-5pm Monday to Saturday, and 10am-4pm Sunday, but some branches may differ, so make sure you check its online store finder before you make a visit.
Similarly to Wickes, Homebase had initially shut all of its stores in March, with only its website continuing to run with home delivery and reserve and collect options available.
Due to the high demand, Homebase has temporarily stopped its reserve and collect service.
Read our guide to the online DIY stores still delivering across the UK