Screwfix has opened its 800th store today (Wednesday 13 July) in Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire, UK. Earlier this year Screwfix announced its store target of 80 new stores across the UK and the Republic of Ireland, creating more than 800 new jobs by the end of January 2023.

This latest opening marks a significant milestone for the business, bringing Screwfix closer to its overall target of 1,000 stores across the UK and Republic of Ireland. The 800th store opening confirms Screwfix’s intention to bring its convenience and its extensive product range closer to hard-working tradespeople, both in urban environments and in more rural locations such as Bourton-on-the-Water.

Located in Bourton Industrial Park, Gloucestershire, the new store creates 12 jobs for the local community. To mark this significant milestone, the store was opened with a launch event, with colleagues and senior representatives from Screwfix, including Operations and Property Director, Scott Parsons and Managing Director for UK and Ireland, Max Britten.

At the launch, Scott Parsons said: “We know how busy our customers are and how important it is to find a Screwfix store close to site. We’re delighted to open our new store Bourton-on-the-Water today and bring Screwfix even closer to local tradespeople in Gloucestershire.

“Today marks a huge milestone for Screwfix in opening our 800th store and our ambition to open 1,000 stores across the UK and ROI. Our target of 80 new stores this financial year will ensure there is a Screwfix nearby for busy tradespeople, whilst also having a positive impact on local communities, creating more than 800 new jobs. Since our first store opening in 2005, we have employed around 9,600 colleagues across our stores in roles such as retail assistants, assistant managers, and branch managers.”

Newly recruited staff at the Bourton-on-the-Water store will have the opportunity to participate in the retailer’s apprenticeship scheme, joining the already 850 apprentices currently training across the business in areas such as Retail Management, Supervisor, HR, Finance, Data and Legal, and Trade Supplier.

As part of Screwfix’s ongoing commitment to reduce carbon emissions, all new stores are now equipped with air source heat pumps to provide heating, powered by electricity instead of gas. The retailer is also working to retrofit heat pumps in existing stores in a bid to make the entire network more sustainable. Most recently, its Great Yarmouth store became the 300th to be fitted with an air-source heat pump.

Scott added: “We are committed to minimising our environmental impact, helping to create a better future for our customers, colleagues, communities, and the planet. Screwfix’s entire store network is already supplied with 95% renewable electricity to support our move away from gas heating where possible.”

Screwfix’s growth plans are supported by Kingfisher, the retailer’s parent company, whose ‘Powered by Kingfisher’ strategy aims to maximise the benefits of combining its distinct retail banners with the scale, strength, and expertise of the Group.