Forty-five jobs saved at Athlone branch of B&Q

There is good news for staff at the B&Q branch in Athlone.

The Co Westmeath store was due to close in May, with the loss of 45 jobs, after the DIY giant was placed into examinership earlier this year.

However, the Athlone branch of B&Q has now been saved and will remain open, saving the 45 jobs involved.

The company said that while the Athlone store will now return to normal trading, this does not affect plans to close the Waterford store currently underway.

The Waterford store is scheduled to close on May 4.

They said: "Negotiations on the leases for the remaining seven B&Q stores in the Republic are on-going."

"B&Q Ireland Limited remains in Examinership. The ability of B&Q Ireland Limited to continue trading at any B&Q store is dependent on a successful outcome to the Examinership."