"It’s been an incredibly exciting launch to work on."
B&M has announced that it will be trialling a home delivery service across the UK, reports The Manc.
For the first time since the discount retailer opened its doors back in 1978, B&M has decided to expand its website and introduce a delivery service option for customers that's primarily catered to delivering a range of heavier general products that shoppers may struggle to transport for themselves.
Around 1,000 products make up the new online delivery range - including garden and indoor furniture, electrical equipment, and some toys and games too.
To make the most of the new service and try it out for size, shoppers will just need to look for the items on the B&M website that are marked with home delivery and click 'add to basket', before arranging for them to be delivered.
Delivery costs will depend on the size of your order, with a regular delivery priced at £3.95, medium £7.95, and large £14.95.
Orders will take between three and seven working days to be delivered.
B&M says the trial is being run on a "test and learn", and customer response will be "closely monitored" over the coming months.
B&M has launched a trial of a home delivery service across the UK / Credit: B&M
Speaking on the launch of the trial, Jens Sorensen - Digital Director at B&M - said: "We are incredibly excited to launch our online deliver-to-home service and make life easier for customers that love the range of discounted products from B&M but haven’t been able to purchase from store.
"We’re continually developing and improving the offering available to customers, and creating this more accessible shopping experience is a fantastic step forward for the business.
"It’s been an incredibly exciting launch to work on and we’re so happy that customers are now able to start using the transactional website and have access to products they wouldn’t have been able to in the past."
B&M's CEO Simon Arora says he believes the trial of home delivery to be "an attractive proposition for customers".
He added that the business is also being "open-minded" about delivery becoming permanent.
Veteran Manchester rock and blues band Proud Mary recently announced a limited run of UK reunion shows, including one right here in Leeds.
The seasoned Northern outfit may have seen plenty of lineup changes and a long hiatus of sorts, but now they’re returning for just a small handful of comeback gigs across the country.
Ahead of their seminal debut album turning 25 years old this year, 2026 also seems them steadily creeping up on the best part of three decades as a group in some form or another.
For anyone uninitiated, the native 90s and early noughties name was the first band signed to Noel Gallagher’s Sour Mash Records in 2001.
Their first-ever LP, The Same Old Blues, still remains their most revered work to this day.
Dubbed by the older Burnage brother and legendary Manc musician as “a lesson in songwriting” in an interview with the NME way back when, they started out as long-time friends and turned into fellow studio peers.
As well as supporting the likes of Oasis, Neil Young, The Stereophonics, Paul Weller, Ocean Colour Scene, Ryan Adams, Noel’s High Flying Birds and more on various tours over the years, they also famously headlined Isle of Wight Festival in 2004.
Having collaborated with the likes of another Britpop legend, Gem Archer, as well as The Smiths’ Andy Rourke, not to mention gaining plaudits from so many other contemporaries, they’re likely one of your favourite bands’ old faithful bands.
Moreover, in regional terms, rising local indie rock quintet Rosellas are also joining them on the road for their shows.
Proud Mary will be playing at The Warehouse in Leeds on Friday 8 May and you can grab your tickets HERE.
Featured Images — Proud Mary (press shots supplied via Sonic PR)
Leeds
Independent Nordic-inspired homeware shop closes Leeds store after six years
Clementine Hall
After six years in the city, independent homeware retailer North Home is closing its Leeds city centre shop.
If you're a lover of all things home then you'll have most likely visited the gorgeous North Home shop in the Victoria Quarter.
Stacked to the brim with unique pieces from striking ceramics to stylish soft furnishings, North Home is known for its well-curated stock and great customer service.
Seriously, we've probably spent a good hour in here in awe of all the beautiful pieces.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Last week, curious shoppers noticed the three-storey store was suddenly empty and now the company have confirmed that they have closed for good.
In a statement, they said: "After nearly 6 wonderful years trading in Leeds, we’ve made the difficult decision to close our physical store while we restructure the business and explore the next chapter for North Home.
"Retail has changed significantly in recent years and, like many independent businesses, we’ve faced increasing costs.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
"Taking this step now gives us the opportunity to protect what we’ve built and focus on the future of the brand. North Home continues to operate online and all existing customer orders will be fulfilled as normal although delivery times may be slightly extended.
"We’ve loved being part of the Leeds retail community since 2020 and are incredibly grateful for the support we’ve received. We hope to share more about our plans soon."
We'll be sad to see them go and we hope this isn't goodbye forever, but you can still shop from North Home online here.
The Hoot -
27th June 2022 
