Australian DIY firm Bunnings has lifted the lid on a new small store format, with its first in the UK opening in Bicester today.  

The Wesfarmers-owned business, which launched its assault on the UK DIY market earlier this year, is in the process of converting the Homebase estate it acquired in 2016. 

The 36,700 sq ft shop in Bicester is the first to be branded Bunnings – rather than Bunnings Warehouse – and is around a third of the size of its largest shop in Milton Keynes. 

Until now, the fledgling firm has focused on Bunnings Warehouses, opening 12 of its big-box stores around the country. 

The smaller concept forms part of a trial as the retailer strives to find its feet in the UK market amid plummeting sales at Homebase. 

Bunnings UK and Ireland boss Peter ‘PJ’ Davis told Retail Week: “We are still in phase one of our acquisition plan and trialling Bunnings pilot stores is an important part of this.

“We are testing and learning from different formats, store sizes and locations, and the success of the pilots remains an absolute precursor to any further investment.”