"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.
Otley has announced its intention to bid to become UK Town of Culture 2028.
Entering into the national competition launched by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), the West Yorkshire town is hoping to be the first-ever town to claim the title.
The Town of Culture competition invites towns across the UK to showcase their cultural story and develop ambitious programmes that celebrate local heritage, creativity, and communities.
The winning town receives a £3 million grant from the Government to deliver a major year-long cultural programme in 2028 designed to boost civic pride, attract visitors, and provide everyone with the opportunity to participate in cultural activities.
Their bid is focused around the Otley 800, a year-long programme that will mark the 800th anniversary of the granting of the Royal Market Charter in 1227 and the bridge over the River Wharfe in 1228.
These two historic moments transformed Otley into the bustling market town that it is today, so it deserves to be recognised.
Work has been going on behind the scenes for the past two years, with the council and Otley BID working with residents to put plans in place for the special year.
More than 70 organisations have been involved.
Mayor of Otley Cllr Paul Carter said: “Otley has always been a town that punches above its weight. This bid is about celebrating our history, but also about investing in our future — creating opportunities for our community, raising our profile and making sure Otley continues to thrive for the next 800 years.”
The shortlist for UK Town of Culture 2028 is set to be announced later this year, with each chosen town receiving £60,000 to help deliver their full bids for the competition. Fingers crossed!
Permission granted for new ‘Corn Exchange Pavilion’ to be built in Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
The green light has been given for a brand-new pavilion to be built outside the Corn Exchange in Leeds city centre.
Yesterday, Tuesday 31 March, the planning committee of Leeds City Council officially gave the green light to plans submitted by CX Leeds Ltd.
These include plans to build a pavilion outside the Corn Exchange, one of Leeds' most iconic city centre landmarks.
The new building will go where that rather underwhelming patch of astroturf currently lays, in front of the Cornucopia mural and next to the bus shelter.
It lies between New Market Street and Crown Street.
DEN Architecture state that the materials selected will create an intriguing single-storey structure that compliments the surrounding area.
They stated: “The scale of the building and roof form of the proposal pays tribute to the previous tram and bus shelters that once occupied the site.
"While retaining the appropriately subservient nature of any new building in close proximity to the Corn Exchange. This will also provide greater visibility of the Cornucopia Mural.
“The building has been designed following extensive and thorough analysis, with a clear understanding of the built environment and the area’s historic significance.”
It's not yet been decided upon what the building's use will be, although Leeds city council suggests it could be used for "outdoor functions, shops and cafes".
When first put forward to the council back in December 2024, the plans were met with three objections from the public.
So, what would you like to see go into this new space?
The Hoot -
27th June 2022 
