Home improvement retailer Wickes will take over the leases of four former Homebase stores, saving more than 55 jobs.
The four retail stores – which are located in Dunfermline, Bury St Edmunds, Leeds Moor Allerton and Northampton – are set to reopen later on this year under the Wickes banner.
Following the news in November that DIY retailer Homebase was entering administration, news quickly arose that up to 70 of its stores were to be acquired by CDS Superstores, the parent company behind The Range and Wilko, saving some 1500 jobs.
Whilst this was welcome news it still left some 50 Homebase stores and 1700 employees uncertain as to their fate.
However, as the situation stood in January, of those remaining 50 Homebase stores not subject to the CDS Superstores acquisition, B&Q were to acquire eight, and talks were underway to sell an additional 10 Homebase retail locations to other retail giants thought to include Wickes and Topps Tiles.
This was thought to leave just 32 of the original 120 Homebase stores and the jobs at those stores subject to uncertainty.
Whilst this was welcome news in the Kbb industry as Wickes rescues four former Homebase stores, according to Wickes, the news has another benefit as the stores being saved in Dunfermline, Bury St Edmunds, Leeds Moor Allerton and Northampton means that the business can continue with its plans to open stores in new catchment areas which do not currently have Wickes stores.
As part of their reopening, the Dunfermline, Bury St Edmunds, Leeds Moor Allerton and Northampton stores will reportedly be refitted and “modernised” so they fall visually in line with the new Wickes format.
The Homebase Dunfermline, Homebase Bury St Edmunds and Homebase Leeds Moor Allerton will cease trading as Homebase stores on March 3, with all 55 employees remaining in their jobs as Wickes employees from thereafter.
Other Homebase News - Three Republic of Ireland Homebase Stores Bought by B&Q / CDS Superstores acquisition for 70 Homebase stores / Homebase Up for Sale Again / Homebase to Sell Bosch and Neff / Homebase Acquires Bathstore / Homebase Rescue Plan Approved / Wesfarmers Acquires homebase for £340m / B&Q has announced that it will buy five Homebase stores in the UK / Wickes rescues four former Homebase stores