Building and hardware giant Screwfix planning Galway store

The British hardware, building and DIY chain, Screwfix, is planning to open an outlet in Galway.

Through a subsidiary company, the Kingfisher Group, which also owns B&Q and GoodHome and Castorama in France, has sought planning permission for a change of use of a unit at Ballybane Industrial Estate on Bóthar na Mine.

The unit, formerly occupied by Galway Coal, would be changed to a Screwfix warehouse with trade counters, as the business primary supplies building products to trades.

Screwfix has more than 620 stores in the UK and Northern Ireland, and employs more than 8,300 people.

According to the company: “Screwfix dispatches thousands of parcels every week for next day and weekend delivery to tradesmen, handymen and serious home improvement enthusiast. Screwfix also operates a growing number of trade counters across the UK which [each] have over 11,000 items in stock, available for immediate collection.”

The company stocks tools; heating and plumbing supplies; electrical and lighting; bathrooms and kitchens; outdoor and gardening; building and decorating supplies.

“[The operator] is a potential new entrant to the Irish market, at least in terms of a physical, ‘on the ground’ presence. The primary use of their business premises would be storage of goods, with trade counters primarily for pick-up, arising from online sales.

“As a result, the unit would include ancillary trade counters aimed at local building companies including what is known as a trade plus counter, aimed at specific trades.

“Their products are principally sold to trade over the internet, via catalogue, over the telephone, as well as over the two trade counters, which typically occupies about 9-10% of the gross floorspace of any one unit,” the planning application reads.

The company usually employs six to eight staff, four of whom are full-time.

The applicants have allowed for five parking spaces and note that parking at the Screwfix premises in Ballymena, Co Antrim was observed during peak Friday lunchtime trade. Over the hour, there were 25 visits to the unit and each visit lasted 3-5 minutes.

“At any one time, there were 2-3 visitors to the store, so the demand on parking was in that range also. We have made allowance for five spaces [in Ballybane],” the application reads.

A decision is due from Galway City Council in the middle of December.