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 between Douglas and Liverpool through the winter months, a hazardous undertaking in a small ship of 150 tons, battling the numerous winter storms of the Irish Sea. On 25 March 1835, under the command of Capt. Quayle, the "Queen of the Isle" was involved in a collision with the "Irishman" in the Mersey Estuary. On 26 July 1839, "Mona Isle" rescued the crew of "Nancy", which was wrecked on the Pollock Rocks, in Douglas Bay. Quayle was awarded a silver medal by Lloyd's of London for his actions. Following Capt. Gill's retirement from the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company