Screwfix has doubled its sales to £2bn over the last five years, while continuing to open new stores despite the pandemic.

Sales reached £2bn in the year to January 2021 – a landmark figure for the DIY chain.

During 2020, Screwfix also opened 30 new stores in the UK and Ireland, bringing its total store estate to 725.

On average, the retailer has opened a new store every week over the past five years, creating around 4,000 new jobs.

Screwfix has also made an effort to recruit younger people who may have been more impacted by the pandemic, welcoming 1,000 new employees under the age of 24 in the past year.

The DIY chain, which is owned by Kingfisher, internally promoted 800 employees this year, including those who have completed apprenticeships.

Screwfix chief executive John Mewett said: “I’m incredibly proud of what our colleagues have achieved this year. We have continued to keep our customers supplied safely while creating opportunities for our colleagues.

“We have also been able to give back to our communities when they have needed support the most. I’d like to thank all of our colleagues and customers for their incredible support during what has been an extremely challenging year.”