Homebase is set to shut down 13 stores shortly, with some already starting sales. Check out the full list of affected locations and details.
London: Homebase is closing 13 stores soon, and it’s a bit of a bummer. The closures include places like Romford, Broadstairs, and Coventry. Some stores are already having closing sales, which is a sign of the times.
When Homebase went into administration last November, they had 133 stores. Luckily, CDS, the owner of The Range and Wilko, stepped in and saved around 1,600 jobs. They’re keeping about 70 branches open, which is good news.
Homebase had a rough year, reporting an £84 million loss. They said customers were being cautious with their spending. Sales dropped from £788 million to £701 million. Ouch!
Earlier this month, B&Q bought five branches, but there are still 58 stores that might close or be sold. It’s a bit of a waiting game for those locations.
At the time of administration, Homebase had about 3,600 employees. They’re currently getting support as things get sorted out.
Here’s the list of stores shutting down in January: Bradford, Broadstairs, Cheltenham, Colchester, Coventry, Derby, Gloucester, Hull, London, Oban, Oldbury, Romford, and Wolverhampton. The exact closure dates are still up in the air.
CDS plans to turn nine locations into new-format The Range stores, some with Homebase garden centers. They want to open three hybrid stores each week, aiming for a total of 70.
Alex Simpkin, the CEO of CDS, mentioned how they’re stepping in after the sad news about Homebase. The brand has been around for over 45 years, helping folks with DIY and gardening.
Closing sales are already happening at several locations, with discounts between 10% and 50%. Other sites in Derry, Inverurie, and Omagh are also having sales.
Six more sites are confirmed to close by the end of 2024, including Sutton Coldfield and Rugby. Dobbies is also shutting down 17 outlets due to losses, which is a tough spot for them.
