Travis Perkins-owned DIY chain Wickes has embarked on an ambitious expansion programme, with plans to double its store portfolio in the next seven years.

Wickes, which has 185 stores, will double its openings this year – from eight last year to between 15 and 20.

Wickes managing director Jeremy Bird said: “There are about 160 towns or catchment areas that we’re not in yet, so wherever opportunities arise we will take space there. We want to be everywhere.”

Wickes is searching for stores of between 20,000 and 50,000 sq ft and Bird said he would also consider group buys.

The DIY chain is also reconfiguring some of the space in its existing store portfolio, installing mezzanines and converting storage space.

“Some of our stores were built around 20 to 30 years ago and had large warehouse spaces,” said Bird. “We now have very good central distribution and don’t need as much warehouse space at the stores, so we can put it to better use.”

For the full year to December 31, Wickes reported like-for-like sales of core products up 7.5 per cent. On the same basis, showroom sales fell 4.6 per cent. Overall, Wickes like-for-like sales climbed 5.5 per cent.

Bird said the results reflect the strength of the brand and its steady growth. “We were not sucked into the arrogance of thinking the world would be rosy forever, so during the DIY boom we did not open huge stores like some of our competitors,” he said.

“We also maintain our focus on the trade side as well as DIY and believe the soft furnishings route that some of our competitors are investing in is relatively short term and highly competitive. Why would we want to go into a market that is already covered so well by dedicated players?”