B&Q set to create 1,000 jobs in expansion

Do-it-yourself chain B&Q plans to create 1,000 jobs in a four-year expansion programme, the British-based company announced yesterday. B&Q is due to open a 5,964 sq m store on Belgard Road, Tallaght, in Dublin in October.

The new facility will be the chain's second outlet in the Republic and will employ 100 people.

Yesterday, the company revealed that it was planning to build eight stores across the State between this year and 2007.

A statement predicted that these stores would create a total of 1,000 jobs when they are up and running.

A spokeswoman said B&Q was looking for suitable locations, but added that none had been identified at this point. The company did not reveal the likely cost of its expansion plans.

B&Q already employs 225 workers at its store at the Liffey Valley centre in west County Dublin. That store was opened a year ago.

During the year, it hired an extra 45 people at the store to help deal with strong consumer demand.

B&Q said its Liffey Valley store experienced strong demand in the Irish market for a range of DIY products.

Its director of Irish operations, Mr Diarmuid Walsh, said the company's first year trading in Ireland "has proved extremely successful".

B&Q has 26 Irish suppliers, and spends an estimated €80 million with those businesses every year.