'I'm 72 and still can't retire'

A 72-year-old DIY fan who recently completed his B&Q apprenticeship is proving it’s never too late to learn something new.

Bob Lawrence signed up to the apprenticeship scheme at B&Q Buxton to boost his pension after retiring from a life-long career in construction.

The grandfather-of-three knew he could survive on his state pension but wanted to ensure he could live comfortably for years to come.

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Bob, who has always been a huge B&Q fan, joined the programme in spring 2020 and his training began a year later due to Covid delays.

After passing his examinations with flying colours, Bob completed his apprenticeship in June 2023 and enjoyed his graduation earlier this week. His ceremony had been scheduled for last year but the grandad was undergoing a hip operation at the time.

Now working across all areas of the store – from the showroom to managing the tills – Bob says being employed by a store he has loved for years is a dream come true.

“I’ve been a DIY person all my life,” he told the Manchester Evening News. “I was a big fan of B&Q before I started working for them. I shopped with them virtually every week.

“Because of the projects I’ve done personally, I have a pretty broad knowledge of the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom projects in store.”

And it’s not just the extra money helping Bob out – with the grandad saying the social aspect of the job has huge benefits too.

“B&Q is such an inclusive company to work for,” he said. “Everyone who works for them tends to have that same mentality. There’s always someone who will help you if you’ve got a problem.

“There’s always someone who will talk you through something. Everyone is very social – I've made friends within customers that I’ve taken orders from in the very early days.

“They come in store and say hello like we’re long-lost friends. It’s a community spirit, it really is. It’s about meeting people. It’s such a rewarding position.”

Bob says he currently meets and greets customers and takes them around different showrooms across the store. He also performs general duties around the shop.

While the grandad initially took up the role to live comfortably, he says the extra cash has been vital since the cost of living skyrocketed in the UK.

“Effectively, I just felt like I needed to prop up my pension,” he said. “Although I could survive on my pension, I couldn’t do certain things I would have liked to have done.

“Surviving isn’t living. I didn’t want to go on big holidays or anything like that. I just didn’t want to have to worry about things.

“I just wanted that little bit of extra cash so I wouldn’t have to sit down and sort all my pennies out. I initially did it to be a bit more comfortable, but in today’s climate, it’s totally different. My B&Q income is a way of living.

“I feel fortunate, personally. I was in a position where I could just about get by on my state pension and the extra pensions I had created over the years, but it wouldn’t be a living.

“There are thousands of people out there who are in that position at the moment. I feel extremely lucky that I’m healthy and can work. B&Q is an amazing company to work for.”