A brand new B&Q store has opened in Bedford, as local residents queued up in anticipation of winning a £100 voucher to spend inside.
Store manager Lee Carter, MP Richard Fuller, Mayor Dave Hodgson and local competition winner, Colin Redpath, officially opened the store at the Interchange Retail Park on Friday. It is the first ever B&Q in the town; others at St Neots and Milton Keynes were the next closest.

Local residents eagerly awaited the store opening as they queued to take part in a golden ticket competition, rewarding the first 500 customers through the door with the chance of winning one of five £100 vouchers to spend in store. There was also a magician entertaining shoppers with balloon modelling and the local fire brigade were giving tips on how to keep your home safe this winter.

The new store has created 90 jobs and is to stock over 18,000 products as part of an extensive range of home and garden improvement products; the Christmas department has also been set up. The store also boasts a TradePoint counter with goods from hundreds of quality brands such as Dulux, Bosch and De Walt at trade prices and improved technology will help staff deliver an effective service.

Store manager Mr Carter said: "The team has been working hard behind the scenes to create a fantastic new store so we're all delighted that opening day is finally here. We can't wait to meet all our new customers from the surrounding community.

"Our staff span a variety of different age generations, with the youngest employee at 16 and the oldest employee at 60 years of age. Despite the difference, they all have one thing in common and that's their passion for DIY."

Mayor Dave Hodgson added: "It was great to join all the B&Q staff, the large crowds and the schoolchildren helping to mark the occasion to see the new store open for business. The new B&Q represents major investment and new jobs, along with more choice for local shoppers. I wish all the staff the very best for the future."

The winner of a separate competition, Mr Redpath, was present to open the store and collect his £500 B&Q gift card prize. Having lived in Bedford all his life, he was delighted at B&Q's decision to open a local store.

"I'm delighted to be crowned the winner of the competition," he said. "As a self employed builder, the gift card is going to come in very handy for me as it is going to save me a lot of money in building supplies."