British retail giant Homebase is set to slash another 10 of its stores, with the entire company being put up for sale.
Having already shut more than 100 stores since its last takeover by Hilco Capital in 2018 for just £1, it now appears as though the green-signed brand is on its last legs. Although it currently has 144 stores – including the 10 about to close – The Sun reported earlier this year that rivals The Range had made an approach to buy the company.
However, it might not last that long with 10 now confirmed to be on the chopping block.
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The branches, which we’ve listed below, have already been bought by Sainsbury’s, and will first be converted into stores ranging from 15,000 to 40,000 square foot.
The stores being turned into Sainsbury’s supermarkets are:
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Sutton Coldfield
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Bromsgrove
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Cromer
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Derry/Londonderry
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Fareham
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Inverurie
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Lowestoft
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Newark
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Omagh
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Rugby
Homebase first appeared in the UK in 1979, when it was founded by Sainsbury’s and GB-Inno-BM from Belgium. The first store was in Crodyon, with the second opening in Leeds in October, 1981, before it’s 50 th branch opened in Norwich in 1989.
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However, it was sold by Sainsbury’s in 2011, before being sold against in 2016 to Australian firm Westfarmers. And once again on the market, it was sold to Hilco for just £1 . . . with the beleaguered brand now up for sale again having already closed 106 stores around the UK.
No word has been given on what will happen to the staff at the 10 branches being closed, and no official comment has been made by Homebase or owners Hilco.
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