The DIY chain has closed dozens of stores since it collapsed into administration in November 2024, with some being taken over by rival chains such as B&Q and Wickes
Homebase is closing down another three stores today in a major blow for shoppers.
The DIY chain has closed dozens of stores since it collapsed into administration in November 2024, with some being taken over by rival chains. Homebase will shut a further three stores today in Bury St Edmunds (Moreton Hall Estate), Dunfermline (Halbeath Retail Park) and Leeds (Moor Allerton Centre). But it isn’t all bad news, as all of these stores have been purchased by Wickes and will soon reopen under its branding.
It comes after Homebase closed three stores last Saturday. Its shops in Farnham (Guildford Road) and Truro (Treliske Industrial Estate) will permanently close after no buyer was found, while the third store in Basingstoke (Winchester Road) has been snapped up by B&Q. A further two stores closed on Sunday. No buyer was found for the Bracknell (Wokingham Road) branch, but its Letterkenny (Neil T Blaney Road) site is being taken over by B&Q.
All of these stores had been holding closing down sales with up to 90% off. CDS Superstores, owner of The Range, went on to acquire the Homebase brand and said it would purchase “up to” 70 stores – but so far, the firm has only rescued 26 sites.
In January, it was reported that the total number of stores CDS had officially rescued stood at just 12. This figure grew by another 14 branches last month. Additionally, some stores have been snapped up by rival DIY chains Wickes and B&Q, while Sainsbury’s has also taken on some sites. Homebase had 133 UK stores and employed 3,600 staff when it collapsed into administration in November 2024.
Damian McGloughlin, CEO of Homebase, said: “It has been an incredibly challenging three years for the home and garden improvement market. A decline in consumer confidence and spending following the pandemic has been exacerbated by the impact of persistent high inflation, global supply chain issues and unseasonable weather. Against this backdrop, we have taken many and wide-ranging actions to improve trading performance including restructuring the business and seeking fresh investment.”
Full list of Homebase stores closing in March
- Farnham, Guildford Road – (March 1)
- Truro, Treliske Industrial Estate, Oak Lane – (March 1)
- Basingstoke, Winchester Road – (March 1)
- Bracknell, Wokingham Road – (March 2)
- Letterkenny, Neil T Blaney Road – (March 2)
- Bury St Edmunds, Moreton Hall Estate – (March 3)
- Dunfermline, Halbeath Retail Park – (March 3)
- Leeds, Moor Allerton Centre – (March 3)
