Kirstie Allsopp opens B&Q's latest 'Manifesto' store in Fleetsbridge

There was plenty to celebrate at Poole’s B&Q today when Britain’s Queen of Home-Made, Kirstie Allsopp, rocked up to open the re-vamped store with a little help from a Daily Echo reader.

Helped by Mrs Pat Coulstock of St Leonards, who won a special competition to be there, Kirstie, famous for her Home-made Home and Location, Location, Location TV series, performed the official ceremony at Fleetsbridge by cutting a piece of wallpaper.

“Everybody who works for this store wants to find a way to help you love your home,” she said.

“When times are tough, they want you to walk in your door and feel that your home is a happy, warm, comfortable place to be.”

Mrs Coulstock was accompanied by her husband, John. “We are not great DIYers but we do the painting, stuff like that,” she said.

“I was delighted to win because I love seeing Kirstie on the TV and in real life she’s really lovely and down to earth.”

How down-to-earth she was soon became apparent as Kirstie was mobbed; by B&Q staff, RNLI volunteers who had been invited to collect for the charity on the special day, and by members of the public who wanted her to sign their copies of her book and to enjoy a chat.

The newly-designed store is just one of three in the country which has been selected to trial B&Q’s innovative, trend-led product development and layout, making it easier to shop with more help and advice centres and DIY workshops from £5 as well as a vibrant new collection of home accessories and solutions.

It’s also bought a welcome jobs boost for the town, as Mayor Carol Evans explained. “They have taken on 60 more people as a result of this,” she said.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity and I am very proud that B&Q chose Poole to help launch this new concept.”

Source : Faith Eckersall – Bournemouth Echo
www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/10261895.Queen_of_Home_Made__Kirsty_Allsopp_opens_re_vamped_B_Q_store/?ref=nt