B&Q was founded in March 1969 in Southampton, England, by Richard Block and David Quayle, following the purchase and fitting out of a former furniture warehouse in the Southampton suburb of Portswood. Originally called Block & Quayle, the duo soon shortened the brand to B&Q as stock delivery notes and invoices were already unofficially abbreviating the name. By each working over sixty hour, six day weeks, they were able to repay their bank overdraft within six months of opening, with turnover reaching £1million within the first five years of operating. Following the departure of co founder Block in 1976, the chain
Edward Quayle Edward Quayle Edward Quayle (1802 – 14 June 1862) was a Manx merchant navy officer who served as commanding officer of numerous Isle of Man Steam Packet Company vessels. Quayle was amongst the first captains of the line, retiring with the rank of Commodore. Captain Quayle was said to have been a thorough seafarer and an attentive and warm-hearted man. Edward Quayle was born on the Isle of Man in 1802. For a number of years prior to the introduction of the steamship, Capt. Quayle was Master of the clipper packets which sailed on the mail run between Douglas and