This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-38842021

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
DIY store Bunnings causes social media sizzle Bunnings DIY store opening causes Aussie sizzle
(about 1 hour later)
An Australian "institution" has opened its doors in the UK for the first time, prompting delight on social media over its sausage snacks. The opening of a DIY shop in St Albans has been making the headlines across Australia's news networks.
Bunnings Warehouse, a hardware shop, has taken over the former site of Homebase in St Albans, Hertfordshire. The first Bunnings Warehouse, said to be an Aussie "institution" famed for its "sausage sizzle" snack, opened in the UK earlier.
Famed for its sausage sizzles - a sausage with onions encased in white bread - the opening of the store has generated widespread comment online. The store opening has been widely reported by the Australian media, with News Corp Australia asking, "Do Poms love a sausage sizzle?"
Last year Bunnings' owner Wesfarmers bought the entire Homebase brand.
The firm eventually plans to rebrand all 265 Homebases as Bunnings stores within five years.
The sausage sizzles - sausages with onions encased in slices of white bread - are grilled outside stores Down Under on barbecues.
A Bunnings spokeswoman said they would be cooked the same way in Hertfordshire during cold, February weekends - albeit under a canopy.
The opening of the shop has caused a stir on social media with some Aussie ex-pats talking about travelling long dist to reacquaint themselves with the shopping experience.
One Twitter user wrote: "Say goodbye to your weekends suckers".One Twitter user wrote: "Say goodbye to your weekends suckers".
"Looking forward to seeing the Bunnings (veggie) sausage sizzle trend take up in the UK," tweeted another."Looking forward to seeing the Bunnings (veggie) sausage sizzle trend take up in the UK," tweeted another.
The first UK store is part of a £500m investment plan by the company's owners, who acquired the entire Homebase brand in a £340m deal last year.
'An Aussie institution' - Usman Azad, BBC Three Counties reporter (and Australian expat)'An Aussie institution' - Usman Azad, BBC Three Counties reporter (and Australian expat)
Every Australian will know the smell of a sausage sizzle (also known as a snag) when they arrive at their local Bunnings store.Every Australian will know the smell of a sausage sizzle (also known as a snag) when they arrive at their local Bunnings store.
The business has become an institution not only because of the joy of a sausage in bread but the enthusiasm among many Australian for a do-it-yourself project. The business has become an institution, not only because of the joy of a sausage in bread, but the enthusiasm among many Australians for a do-it-yourself project.
The Bunnings brand is a welcome reminder of life down under for the thousands of Aussies living in the UK.The Bunnings brand is a welcome reminder of life down under for the thousands of Aussies living in the UK.
I've already seen some musings among Aussies on social media about them making a pilgrimage to St Albans.I've already seen some musings among Aussies on social media about them making a pilgrimage to St Albans.
The store opening has also been widely reported by the Australian media, with one outlet asking: "Do Poms love a sausage sizzle?" There are plans to open four pilot locations in UK by June, with 10 stores set to be created by the end of the year.
There are plans to open four pilot locations by June, with 10 stores set to be created by the end of the year.
St Albans will also become home to the company's second UK store in April, Bunnings' managing director said.St Albans will also become home to the company's second UK store in April, Bunnings' managing director said.
The new shop has a cafe and indoor children's playground, and stocks 30,000 different home and garden lines.The new shop has a cafe and indoor children's playground, and stocks 30,000 different home and garden lines.