Newly elected Stevenage MP, Stephen McPartland, was keen to visit his local B&Q to learn more about the innovative ways the UK’s leading home improvement and garden centre retailer works. Whilst being shown around the store, he heard about the Company’s diversity policy, which means a quarter of B&Q’s workforce is over the age of 50 years, with a similar percentage under the age of 25.

Stephen said, “I was delighted to meet both the youngest and oldest members of the Stevenage B&Q store. The knowledge of the staff is fantastic and I have first hand experience of how helpful they can be. I am delighted the store is doing well and investing in our local community.”

Stephen was particularly interested to hear how B&Q is skilling up its workforce. Having invested more than £1 million into nationally recognised apprenticeships and City and Guild’s qualifications for its staff nationwide, he was given the opportunity to see what this means in Stevenage.

Chris Thompson B&Q Stevenage stock manager says, “It was great to meet our new MP and talk to him about what B&Q has to offer as a local employer and business in the area. We’re looking forward to seeing Mr McPartland MP in our store again and wish him every success with his new post.”