Finding a reliable tool shop nearby can save time and money, especially when you need a specific power tool or accessory quickly. The UK tool retail market is split between large high-street chains like Screwfix and Toolstation, specialist online dealers such as ITS and UK Planet Tools, and independent stockists. Each option offers different trade-offs in range, price, and availability of hire services.
Knowing which shop to visit depends on what you need – a single drill bit, a full set of Makita tools, or a concrete breaker for a weekend job. This guide covers the nearest stores, the biggest ranges, opening times, and whether buying or hiring makes more sense for your task.
Information is based on retailers’ own websites and published store locators. Where data is promotional or absent, that is noted.
Where Is the Nearest Tool Shop to Me?
Quick Local Tool Shop Finder
| Icon | What | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 🏪 | Nearest Store | Find your closest Screwfix, Toolstation, Machine Mart, or independent dealer via official store finders. |
| 🕐 | Opening Hours Today | Live or scheduled opening times for your local branch – always check the retailer’s website. |
| 🔧 | Hire Near Me | See which shops offer tool hire and daily rates. Most major chains do not offer hire. |
| 🏷️ | Clearance Deals | Find clearance tools currently in stock near you. Stock rotates daily. |
Key Insights
- Toolstation and Screwfix have the widest store network – 500+ and 800+ branches respectively across the UK.
- UK Planet Tools and ITS stock the largest ranges online (25,000+ products each) but have very few physical retail stores.
- ITS has been promoted as the “biggest tool shop in the UK” in YouTube video titles, though this is not independently verified.
- UK Planet Tools offers free click & collect in 15 minutes at its Milton Keynes location.
- Most power tools are cheaper to hire if needed for fewer than three days.
- Screwfix and Toolstation often vary opening times by branch – always check the store finder before travelling.
Quick Comparison of Major UK Tool Retailers
| Retailer | Store Count (UK) | Online Range | Hire Available? | Free Next-Day Delivery Threshold |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toolstation | 500+ | 25,000+ | No | £50 |
| Screwfix | 800+ | 30,000+ | No | £50 |
| Machine Mart | 60+ | 10,000+ | No | £100 |
| UK Planet Tools | 1 (online + showroom) | 25,000+ | No | No minimum |
Which UK Tool Shop Has the Biggest Range?
If product variety is your priority, two retailers stand out: ITS – All The Tools You Need and UK Planet Tools – click & collect. Both claim to carry more than 25,000 items. ITS positions itself as a superstore chain with locations in Chelmsford and Harlow, while UK Planet Tools operates primarily online with a click-and-collect service in Milton Keynes.
ITS: Superstore Claims and Real Range
ITS describes itself as “one of the UK’s leading tool retailers” and offers deals across major brands including Milwaukee and Makita. YouTube videos have referred to the Chelmsford branch as the “BIGGEST TOOL SHOP in the UK” and toured a “HUGE new ITS Tool Store in Harlow”. These are promotional claims rather than verified rankings, but they indicate a very large physical footprint compared to typical UK tool shops.
The “biggest tool shop in the UK” label attached to ITS appears in YouTube video titles and promotional tours. There is no third-party audit confirming store size or product count. Treat the claim as marketing rather than an objective fact.
UK Planet Tools: Authorised Makita Stockist with 25,000+ Products
UK Planet Tools explicitly markets itself as an authorised stockist for Makita, DeWalt, and Milwaukee. Its website lists over 25,000 products and offers free click & collect in 15 minutes from its Milton Keynes base. This makes it a strong option for anyone seeking genuine branded tools, especially Makita.
Other Specialist Retailers
Toolden, Power Tool World, and ToolStore UK also operate as major online distributors. Toolden says it is the fastest-growing power tool distributor in the UK. Power Tool World, family-owned since 1998, claims to be one of the largest tool distributors. ToolStore UK positions itself as a leading independent stockist for both tradesmen and DIY users. None of these three explicitly confirm authorised Makita dealer status in the available data.
Should I Buy or Hire Tools Near Me?
The decision to buy or hire depends on frequency of use, budget, and storage space. For one-off jobs, hiring is almost always cheaper. For regular use, buying becomes more economical.
Hire Options from Major Retailers
Neither Screwfix, Toolstation, nor Machine Mart offer tool hire. If you need a tool for a short period, you will need to search separately for hire companies such as Brandon Tool Hire or Jewson Tool Hire.
If the tool will be used for fewer than three days, hiring is typically cheaper than buying. For items such as floor sanders, concrete breakers, or large mitre saws that you use once a year, hire remains cost-effective.
Clearance Tools: A Buying Opportunity
ITS says it offers “hundreds of great deals across the biggest brands in the trade.” Machine Mart, Screwfix, and Toolstation all have clearance sections online. UK Planet Tools and Toolden also rotate clearance stock, but availability changes daily.
What Time Do Local Tool Shops Open?
Opening times vary by chain and branch. The only specific hours available come from UK Planet Tools: Monday to Friday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Saturday 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM. For other retailers, you must use their official store finders.
Using Official Store Finders for Accurate Times
Each major chain provides a store finder on its website. These are the only reliable sources for branch-specific opening hours, especially on bank holidays.
Opening times on bank holidays and public holidays frequently differ from standard hours. Always confirm via the official store finder before travelling.
How Did the UK Tool Retail Market Develop?
The UK tool retail landscape has shifted from a handful of specialist suppliers to a mix of national chains and online specialists. Key milestones include:
- 1979 – Machine Mart founded, introducing the first specialist tool superstore concept in Britain.
- 1990s – Screwfix launches as a mail-order company and begins opening physical branches, revolutionising trade access.
- 2000s – Toolstation acquired by Travis Perkins, leading to rapid expansion and hundreds of new stores.
- 2025 – Clearance cycles align with end-of-financial-year (March/April) and Black Friday (November). No retailer publishes a clearance calendar.
What Can I Be Sure of When Looking for a Local Tool Shop?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Toolstation and Screwfix have official store locators with accurate opening times. | Opening times may differ on bank holidays – always confirm via the official store finder. |
| Machine Mart stock is authorised and genuine. | Clearance stock varies daily; online may not reflect in-store availability. |
| Tool hire rates are available on retailer websites or hire-specific platforms. | No single page aggregates opening times for Screwfix, Toolstation, and Machine Mart across neighbourhoods. |
Why Does This Matter for Your Tool Search?
The UK tool retail market is split between large-format superstores (Toolstation, Screwfix) and specialist online dealers (ITS, UK Planet Tools). Local searchers value opening hours and hire availability as much as product range. The gap in current search results is a local meta-finder that combines location, hours, and hire info for all major chains. Until such a tool exists, using official store finders remains the most reliable method.
What Do the Retailers Say About Themselves?
Britain’s No.1 Specialist Tools and Equipment Superstores.
– Machine Mart, machinemart.co.uk/about-us
We’re one of the UK’s largest suppliers of power tools, power tool accessories and building supplies.
– Toolstation, toolstation.com/info/company-information
Authorised stockist for the world’s top tool brands. 25000+ products.
– UK Planet Tools, ukplanettools.co.uk/about
Where Do I Go From Here?
Start with the store finders above to locate your nearest branch and check its opening hours. For the broadest product range, explore ITS – biggest tool shop in the UK online. If you need an authorised Makita dealer, UK Planet Tools – click & collect is the clearest match. Always verify hire availability separately, as none of the major chains offer it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find a tool shop near me?
Use the store finder on Screwfix, Toolstation, or Machine Mart websites. Or use the quick comparison table above to see opening times and hire availability.
What is the biggest tool shop in the UK?
By store count, Screwfix has the most branches (around 800). By online range, Toolstation shows 25,000+ products, and ITS.co.uk stocks a similarly large range.
Can I hire tools from Screwfix or Toolstation?
Currently, neither Screwfix nor Toolstation offer tool hire. Check Machine Mart or dedicated hire shops such as Brandon Tool Hire or Jewson Tool Hire.
Which tool shops offer clearance deals?
Machine Mart, Screwfix, and Toolstation have clearance sections online and in-store. UK Planet Tools and ITS.co.uk also have clearance categories with rotating stock.
What are the opening times for UK Planet Tools?
UK Planet Tools is open Monday–Friday 8:00 AM–4:00 PM and Saturday 8:00 AM–1:00 PM. Closed Sunday.
Is ITS an authorised Makita dealer?
ITS carries Makita and Milwaukee brands, but its website does not explicitly state it is an authorised dealer. UK Planet Tools does claim authorised Makita stockist status.
How do I find tool hire near me?
None of the major tool retailers in the research offer hire. Use Google Maps or a dedicated hire platform like jewson.co.uk/tool-hire to locate a hire shop.
Are Toolden and Power Tool World reliable?
Both present themselves as established UK distributors. Toolden says it is the fastest-growing power tool distributor; Power Tool World has been family-owned since 1998. Neither is independently audited, but they appear legitimate.
Rebecca Haines is Managing Editor at DailyCity.co.uk, running the daily news list and covering UK and world stories with a city lens.