B&Q has been a staple of the high street since 1969, but many shoppers are only just discovering that the initials stand for something historically significant
B&Q is a familiar sight at UK retail parks – but do you know what the initials stand for?(Image: Matt Cardy, Getty Images)
DIY fans are only just realising what the letters in B&Q actually represent. The high street chain has been helping customers since 1969 and has become one of Britain and Ireland’s top DIY and home improvement stores.
Yet it appears many shoppers are only now discovering the origins of the company’s name. This came to light when X user @cawilkes84 asked: “Here is one for you… without Googling etc… what does B&Q stand for?”
Numerous people quickly responded with their theories, offering a range of wrong answers. One user proposed: “Bargains and Quality?”
Another joked: “Dad, what does B&Q stand for? (in the same breath) I think it stands for ‘building and queuing’ – my young son.” A third remarked: “We’re all just going about our daily lives having no clue what B&Q stands for.”
B&Q shop name meaning
If you’re amongst those wondering, we’ve got the answer for you. B&Q was established by Richard Block and David Quayle, whose family names gave the business its initials: “B” from Block and “Q” from Quayle.
The retail powerhouse started life in Southampton, where the two entrepreneurs purchased and converted a disused cinema. By the 1970s onwards, approximately 26 B&Q stores had opened nationwide.
Block and Quayle are said to have taken home just £90 monthly and grafted six days weekly. Their dedication proved worthwhile as they reached an impressive £1million in turnover five years after launching the business.
Today, more than 300 B&Q stores can be found throughout the UK.
What more shop names mean
1. Marks & Spencer — named after Michael Marks and Thomas Spencer, who were founding partners
2. Sainsbury’s — uses the family name of founder John James Sainsbury
3. Tesco — coined from supplier initials T.E. Stockwell, plus “co” meaning company
4. Asda — originally Associated Dairies but later merged with the Asquith family business to become “ASDA”
5. Boots — was named after founder John Boot and originally a chemist business
6. Morrisons — inspired by founder William Morrison
7. Co-op — short for The Co-operative, meaning it’s owned by members
8. JD Sports — JD comes from founders John Wardle and David Makin
9. B&M — originally taken from founders’ surnames: Bamford & Martin
10. Greggs — named after founder John Gregg
