B&Q to create 100 jobs at new outlet in Cork

DIY retailer B&Q is set to create 100 new jobs in its latest Irish outlet and plans to add between 1,000 and 1,600 new posts over the next three years, the company said yesterday.

B&Q opened a 4,650sq m (50,000sq ft) outlet at Mahon Point in Cork city. The company said the shop would create 100 jobs, with most of the workers drawn from the local area.

The chain said it now employs more than 500 people in Ireland. The company spends over €200 million with Irish suppliers, and expects this to increase by a further €80 million during 2005.

It plans to open another six stores here over the next three years, the size of which will depend on location and the local market. These will create between 1,000 and 1,6000 new jobs.

Gerry Murphy, chief executive of B&Q's parent, Kingfisher, called for a further review of the retail planning guidelines, which lift the cap of 6,000sq m on warehouse outlets. Environment Minister Dick Roche recently lifted the ban in the eight towns designated as "gateways" under the National Spatial Strategy.

Mr Murphy said the areas singled out in the review were not suitable for retailing heavy and bulky goods, and argued that this made the review irrelevant to its kind of store. "Therefore we think there's more to do and we hope that the Government will further review the situation to allow a relaxation of the cap in larger catchment areas which could comfortably accommodate such developments," he said.