FORMER customers of the B&Q store in Aberystwyth might be wondering if the company is planning to crack the American market after a translation gaffe.

The company erected a banner on the closed store on the Parc-y-llyn Retail Park in Llanbadarn pointing out to customers where the nearest open B&Q store is after the branch shut down earlier this year.

But the banner seems to suggest a transatlantic flight may now be needed to pick up its range of DIY products.

‘Rydym wedi symud’ is Welsh for ‘we have moved’ - so far so good.

The rest of the banner is where it gets a bit odd.

Presumably wanting to translate into Welsh the phrase ‘you can find us at’, the translation used by the company has translated ‘us’ as ‘United States’, a gaffe probably brought about by accidentally using its ‘US’ abbreviation.

The error was not spotted before printing, and the banner has been erected at the site since its closure.

The company has apologised for the error and said it will be removed and replaced.

A B&Q spokesperson said: “We’re sorry for any confusion caused by the mistake in our sign and we’re working to get it removed. You won’t be able to find the United States at B&Q in Carmarthen, but you can find everything you need for your home and garden this summer.”

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