DIY chain Homebase has closed eight stores already in March, with three shutting their doors today. The company is offering clearance sales of up to 90% off at all affected locations as part of its closing-down events.
Homebase was forced to call in administrators last November, citing weaker consumer confidence and spending following the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis as reasons for significant losses. A deal was later struck with retail group CDS for the sale of up to 70 stores, securing approximately 1,600 jobs.
On Friday, it was announced that Wickes had acquired the leases of four former Homebase units following the chain’s collapse late last year. The home improvement retailer confirmed that the stores in Dunfermline, Bury St Edmunds, and Leeds Moor Allerton will reopen later this year, with all 55 employees retaining their jobs.
A number have closed over the last weekend – with three shutting this morning.
- Farnham, Guildford Road (Closed March 1)
- Truro, Treliske Industrial Estate, Oak Lane (Closed March 1)
- Basingstoke, Winchester Road (Closed March 1 – will reopen as B&Q)
- Bracknell, Wokingham Road (Closed March 2)
- Letterkenny, Neil T Blaney Road (Closed March 2 – will reopen as B&Q)
- Bury St Edmunds, Moreton Hall Estate (Closing March 3 – will reopen as Wickes)
- Dunfermline, Halbeath Retail Park (Closing March 3 – will reopen as Wickes)
- Leeds, Moor Allerton Centre (Closing March 3 – will reopen as Wickes)
CDS, which owns The Range outlets and also purchased parts of high street retailer Wilko after its collapse in 2023, left the future of 49 UK stores uncertain while administrators sought a buyer.
B&Q, the home improvement giant with over 300 stores across the UK and Ireland, is set to expand its empire by taking over five new sites, pending landlord approvals. The stores in question are located in Altrincham, Greater Manchester; Basingstoke, Hampshire; Biggleswade, Bedfordshire; Leamington Spa, Warwickshire; and Worcester, Worcestershire
B&Q, part of the Kingfisher group, plans to rebrand these locations in the spring and aims to complete refurbishments by year’s end. Employees at these sites will join the BandQ team once leases are exchanged.
Graham Bell, the Chief Executive of B&Q, speaking after the announcement in January, ollowing the acquisition of three Irish stores for around £3.2 million said: “We’re determined to give home improvers the choice and convenience they deserve, and to transform the home improvement stores in these locations to fulfil that need.
“We look forward to swiftly concluding these purchases and converting the stores to the BandQ brand and offer, and to welcoming our new customers to the stores and new colleagues to the B&Q family.”
