Policyline News Pulse English (UK)
policyline.uk Policyline News Pulse
Blog Business Local Politics Society & Regulation Tech Travel World

B and M Near Me – Find Stores, Opening Times and Directions

Arthur Clarke Bennett • 2026-03-12 • Reviewed by Hanna Berg

B&M European Value Retail S.A. operates one of Britain’s most extensive discount retail networks, serving approximately four million customers weekly across more than 700 locations in the United Kingdom and France. Founded in 1978 as a single value store in Lancashire, the company has expanded from its origins selling household essentials to become a FTSE 250-listed retailer with annual revenues exceeding £5.5 billion.

The retailer specializes in branded household goods, groceries, and garden products at reduced prices, employing over 35,000 staff nationwide. While many shoppers recognize the chain for its distinctive red and purple branding, locating specific store details requires navigating regional variations in opening times, parking availability, and accessibility features.

Understanding how to identify your nearest B&M branch and verify its specific services ensures accurate planning for household shopping trips. The company maintains its registered office at The Vault, Dakota Drive, Estuary Commerce Park, Speke, Liverpool L24 8RJ.

Where Is the Nearest B&M Store?

The company provides an official store finder on its corporate website, allowing customers to search by postcode or town to identify proximity and directions. With headquarters in Speke, Liverpool, B&M operates stores across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, alongside its French locations.

Store Count
700+ UK and France locations
Founded
March 14, 1978
Products
Home, garden, groceries
Weekly Footfall
4 million customers
  • B&M was established by Malcolm Billington and Brian Mayman in Lancashire in 1978
  • The Arora brothers acquired the chain in 2004 when it operated just 21 stores
  • Revenue reached £5.57 billion for the fiscal year ending March 2025
  • The company listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2014
  • Stores offer branded products across home furnishings, cleaning supplies, and food categories
  • Local histories document strong community ties in its original Blackpool and Cleveleys locations
  • The retailer occupies a 620,000 square foot head office complex in Liverpool
Attribute Detail
Total Stores 700+
Parent Company B&M European Value Retail S.A.
Founded March 14, 1978
Headquarters Speke, Liverpool L24 8RJ
Revenue £5.57 billion (FY March 2025)
Employees 35,000+
Weekly Customers 4 million
Company Registration No. 1357507

What Are B&M Opening Times?

Operating hours vary significantly by location and day of the week. While most stores follow standard retail patterns, individual branches adjust schedules based on local shopping habits, retail park regulations, and seasonal demand.

Weekday and Weekend Operations

Typically, stores open between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM on weekdays, closing between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM. Weekend hours often differ from weekday schedules, with Sunday trading restricted under the Sunday Trading Act 1994 in England and Wales, limiting continuous opening to six hours for larger stores.

Holiday and Seasonal Schedules

Christmas Day, Easter Sunday, and New Year’s Day see closures at most locations. Bank Holiday Mondays may operate on reduced schedules, though retail park locations often maintain standard hours. Summer and winter holiday periods sometimes bring extended evening hours in high-traffic areas.

Verifying Local Hours

Individual store pages on the official B&M website display accurate opening times for each specific location, including temporary adjustments for bank holidays and local events.

B&M Store Details and Accessibility

Practical considerations such as parking availability and accessibility features require local verification. The company operates in diverse retail environments, from high street conversions to out-of-town retail parks.

Parking and Transport Links

Parking provision varies by location. Some stores, including the original Cleveleys location on Princess Road, feature adjoining car parks. City centre locations may rely on nearby public parking facilities or street parking with time restrictions. Retail park branches typically offer extensive free parking shared with neighboring stores.

Accessibility and Contact Information

Store-specific accessibility features, including step-free access, automatic doors, and disabled parking bays, differ by building age and local planning permissions. For retail enquiries, the company directs correspondence to its registered office in Speke, Liverpool. Specific store contact numbers and accessibility details appear on individual location pages via the store finder.

Regional Variations

Accessibility facilities and parking arrangements are determined by individual store configurations and local council planning approvals rather than standardized corporate specifications. Shoppers requiring specific accommodations should contact individual branches directly.

How Has B&M Expanded Since 1978?

The retailer’s growth trajectory accelerated significantly after its 2004 acquisition, transforming from a regional Lancashire chain into a national discount giant serving millions weekly.

  1. Malcolm Billington and Brian Mayman establish the first store on March 14, with sources variously citing Blackpool or Cleveleys as the original location
  2. Brothers Simon, Bobby, and Robin Arora acquire the company through Phildrew Investments, operating 21 stores at the time
  3. A new 620,000 square foot head office and distribution centre opens in Speke, Liverpool
  4. Investment firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice acquires a significant stake in the business
  5. B&M lists on the London Stock Exchange and acquires German retailer Jawoll
  6. The company acquires frozen food chain Heron Foods, expanding its grocery footprint
  7. Present: The network exceeds 700 stores across the UK and France

What Information Requires Local Verification?

While corporate data provides consistent national overviews, certain operational details remain specific to individual branches.

Nationally Consistent Requires Local Check
Corporate headquarters in Speke, Liverpool Specific opening hours and holiday schedules
700+ store network across UK and France Parking availability and restrictions
Product categories (home, garden, grocery) Accessibility features and step-free access
Company registration number 1357507 Real-time stock levels and availability
Founding date March 14, 1978 Contact telephone numbers for specific stores

What Factors Shaped B&M’s Retail Model?

The company’s evolution from market stalls selling toilet rolls and cleaning products in the 1960s to a billion-pound enterprise reflects broader shifts in British retail consumption. No Bake Cheesecake Recipe enthusiasts and home cooks alike frequent the stores for affordable kitchenware and baking supplies alongside household essentials.

By maintaining focus on branded goods at discount prices rather than proprietary labels, B&M captured market share during periods of economic constraint. The 2004 acquisition by the Arora brothers marked a turning point, introducing professional retail management to the founder’s original value proposition while maintaining the “Bargain Madness” ethos implied by the company’s original name.

What Sources Confirm B&M’s Market Position?

“Top branded products at sensational prices”

— B&M Stores corporate communications, describing the value proposition to its four million weekly customers

Historical documentation preserved by business history archives notes the ambiguity surrounding the exact location of the first store. While official corporate sources emphasize Blackpool, local historians have documented strong early connections to Cleveleys town centre, with some accounts suggesting the Cleveleys location was the sixth store rather than the first. Financial records confirm the 2014 IPO and subsequent expansion into European markets.

How Can Shoppers Find Their Local B&M?

With over 700 locations serving four million customers weekly, B&M maintains a significant presence in British retail through its combination of branded household goods and competitive pricing. To find specific opening times, parking details, and accessibility information for your local branch, consult the official store locator using your postcode. For related household services, see Oven Cleaners Near Me.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is B&M open on Sundays?

Most stores operate under Sunday trading restrictions, typically opening for six continuous hours between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM, though exact times vary by location size and local regulations.

Does every B&M store have a car park?

Parking availability varies significantly. Out-of-town retail park locations usually offer free parking, while high street stores may rely on nearby public facilities or street parking.

How can I contact a specific B&M store?

The company directs retail enquiries through its registered office in Speke, Liverpool. Individual store telephone numbers and specific contact details are available through the official store finder.

Are B&M opening hours the same at every store?

No, hours vary by location, day of week, and season. Retail park stores often maintain longer hours than high street branches.

What products does B&M specialize in?

The retailer focuses on branded household goods, cleaning products, groceries, and seasonal garden items, maintaining the value-focused approach established by its founders in 1978.

Where was the first B&M store opened?

Sources conflict regarding the founding location. Official corporate histories cite Blackpool, while local historical accounts maintain Cleveleys hosted the first store in 1978.

Arthur Clarke Bennett

About the author

Arthur Clarke Bennett

Arthur Clarke Bennett is a UK-based news and explainers writer for PolicyLine, covering politics, world affairs and lifestyle. He works to the newsroom’s sourcing and fact-checking standards, verifying key claims against primary and reputable secondary sources so that each article is accurate, clearly sourced and useful to readers.