by Brittany Tijou-Smith

B&Q has been accused of pricing out hard-up DIY enthusiasts by cutting back a popular discount scheme for the over-60s.

The hardware chain’s Diamond Club has long-offered customers 10% off all items, excluding kitchens and bathrooms, every Wednesday, but will close to new members next month.

Discount prices will also now only apply to gardening products.

Customers claim the move will put over-60s off shopping at the stores in Sturry Road, Canterbury, and Reeves Way, Chestfield.

Roy Lee, 77, is chairman of the Greenhill Senior Citizen’s Club, and was fuming to learn of the cutbacks.

“We’ve worked all our lives,” he said.

“I know a few people who’ve lost their partners, who live on their own where money is hard.

“They are on their own and find it difficult. I think for those people the discount should stay as it is. It’s ridiculous.”

Mr Lee says retaining the 10% discount just for gardening items is a kick in the teeth.

“Not everybody loves gardening,” he said. “We belong to a senior citizen’s club and some are very keen gardeners and others couldn’t give a tuppence worth.”

The cutbacks have been debated on many Facebook residents groups across the district.

Susan Taylor wrote: “The basic OAP income is £125.95 per week, or the equivalent of £3.15 per hour for a 40-hour week, so every little helps.”

Darren Judge added: “They’ll change that back when no sod goes in there on Wednesdays.”

Jason Archer, deputy manager at B&Q Canterbury, is sympathetic to customers’ concerns, but says prices have been cut across the chain’s stores to compensate for the cutbacks.

“I can understand their frustration,” he said.

“The company has recently reduced the prices of the products across their whole range and so the Diamond discount has been reduced to just gardening products alongside the lower prices.

“People who have signed up to the scheme before September 3 will still get a discount, but only on gardening items.

“It just seems like something that older people are really into.”