B&Q's new store creates 165 jobs

Home-improvement chain B&Q has opened a store in Tallaght, its second Irish store, creating 165 new jobs.

The 5,964 sq m store will offer customers more than 21,000 products. The success of B&Q's first store, located in Liffey Valley, persuaded the company to open the store on the Belgard Road.

Since it opened 18 months ago, the company has hired an additional 45 people at Liffey Valley to meet consumer demand. Total employment has risen to 240.

The home-improvement market is growing rapidly in the Republic and competition between large stores such as Atlantic Homecare, Woodies and Homebase is intense.

Speaking at the opening of the new store, Mr Gerry Murphy, chief executive of Kingfisher, the parent company of B&Q, said: "The performance of the Liffey Valley store clearly indicates strong consumer demand in the Irish market for the comprehensive range of DIY goods, garden products and the unique professional service that is provided by in-store B&Q experts."

B&Q plans to open a further eight stores in Ireland over the next four years, the size of which will depend on location and local market environment. Depending on the size of stores opened, the expansion programme will provide an additional 1,000-1,800 jobs and will increase the value of business to Irish suppliers.

B&Q said it was currently taking €100 million of goods from Irish suppliers and the products involved were sold all over the world.