B&Q to take over Homebase store in Leamington Spa as part of new deal

A B&Q store
-Credit:PA Wire/PA Images


DIY and home improvement retailer B&Q has agreed to buy five Homebase stores across the UK, including a store in Warwickshire, after it went into administration last year. The Leamington Spa store and others will convert to B&Q stores by the end of 2025 as part of a £2.5m deal.

The other stores affected are Worcester, Altrincham, Basingstoke, and Biggleswade in Bedfordshire. Staff at all five sites will become B&Q employees.

Homebase was forced to call in administrators in November 2024 due to the cost-of-living crisis, which caused harsh losses to the company. The retailer later struck a deal with retail group CDS for up to 70 stores, which secured around 1,600 jobs.

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Homebase has 130 stores across the UK, including at Gallagher Retail Park in Coventry. A number of stores in the West Midlands, including Rugby, closed before Christmas after being bought out by Sainsbury's. There was also a Homebase store in Canley, but this closed some years ago.

CDS owns The Range outlets and bought parts of high street retailer Wilko after it collapsed in 2023, including the Coventry store in Broadgate, which now houses B&M. This meant that 49 Homebase stores were at risk while administrators looked for a buyer.

Now, B&Q, which has over 300 stores across the UK, will take control of the five sites, including Warwickshire, subject to landlord approval. The stores are expected to be converted to B&Q in the spring, with final refurbishments completed by the end of the year.

B&Q's chief executive Graham Bell, said he was 'delighted' to be expanding the retailer, with three new stores in Ireland bought for around £3.2m at the end of 2024.

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