B&Q and Morrisons have announced a deal that will see B&Q's Ipswich (Euro Retail Park) store converted to make way for a new Morrisons store.
B&Q has not reported anything about job losses among staff but it has informed its store employees of its plans to reduce the size and provide a new format store. It will have a gross area of around 30,000sq ft with a further 20,000sq ft allocated to a garden centre. Morrisons made the first move in initiating the pre-application process with Ipswich Borough Council but B&Q is supportive of the changes. The store will remain open during the conversion works.

Morrisons have proposed a Fresh Format foodstore, occupying approximately 43,000sq ft of the overall unit on the park, and the move is likely to provide over 300 local jobs with the supermarket. Dates for a public consultation will be announced soon.

Andrew McDonnell, B&Q's divisional director of London and East Anglia, said: "The new size store will include new features and services that will not only inspire customers but will also help them to undertake their home improvement projects. This deal will enable us to continue to serve our Ipswich customers to the highest possible standard and we are committed to working with Morrisons to enhance the whole shopping experience on the site."

B&Q has a store on another retail park on the opposite side of Ipswich and, similarly, Morrisons has a major store in another part of the town. B&Q has been reducing the size of several stores in recent years and has merged with Morrisons before, as well as Asda. Wickes has also followed suit, with new store plans announced only last month.