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
Martyn Quayle Martyn Quayle George Martyn Quayle, MHK (6 February 1959 – 26 August 2016) was a Manx politician who previously held the position of Minister of Tourism and Leisure in the Isle of Man Government and represented Middle in the House of Keys. He served as minister of the Department of Social Care. Martyn Quayle was born on the Isle of Man, the son of George Douglas Quayle and Elaine Evelyn Corrin. He was educated at St Ninian's High School and Ballakermeen High School before joining the Civil Service. He then joined Isle of Man Farmers Ltd, rising to Company Secretary