An independent DIY retailer in South Shields has told DIY Week he is "disappointed but not surprised" after his appeal for inclusion in a social housing voucher scheme was turned down by South Tyneside council, which is continuing its exclusive partnership with B&Q well into 2013.
It means South Tyneside housing tenants will only be able to redeem vouchers - worth up to £200 per household - at B&Q rather than in the area's various independent stores. Walter Metcalfe, of Metcalfe's Home Decor, has been fighting on behalf of the excluded independents from the area for several years.

Following his latest enquiry, covered by DIY Week in April, he was told by the Decent Homes team at South Tyneside Council that B&Q would remain the sole supplier of decorating materials to council tenants because "a contract is in place" until August 2013.

South Tyneside Homes director of investment Mr Whittle told DIY Week the current scheme represented the "best possible value for money for council tenants". He added: "Our board has agreed to look at a more flexible approach of the supply agreement which is due for re-tender in August 2013."

It is not the first time Mr Metcalfe has been let down by the council's response. "The last time I complained, almost two years ago now, they said that they would review the scheme again at the beginning of 2012," the retailer told DIY Week. "So I was disappointed but not surprised at their response this time.

"All they have done is make big promises and strung us along for three years. I am mystified as to why the council are continuing this exclusive deal at the expense of independent retailers like myself."

South Tyneside Homes told DIY Week the B&Q deal had been arranged through Procurement for Housing. "At the end of the financial year all organisations who use the B&Q scheme through this framework receive a percentage back," said Mr Whittle. "The current system provides [us] with an efficient and cost-effective system which remains fit for purpose at this present time."

A B&Q spokesperson told DIY Week: "B&Q, along with the rest of the major players in the DIY market, has a long history of supporting the social housing sector with redeemable vouchers following rigorous and competitive tender processes. 

"B&Q trades and employs locally and we play our part in the local communities where we operate. Going forward, we are exploring the opportunity of decorating cards that could be used in our store and local independents who can also fulfill the transparency requirements of the scheme ensuring vouchers are used in the right way."

Mr Metcalfe told DIY Week that he was determined to continue to fight the scheme in South Tyneside, and said he was “very keen” to hear from other retailers with a similar story, adding he’d be interested in bringing the battle to Whitehall.