Fate of North Staffordshire Homebase shop unclear as The Range saves 70 branches

Graham Hiscott & Rob Andrews
·2-min read
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


The fate of North Staffordshire's last-remaining Homebase store remains unclear today. Homebase yesterday collapsed into administration - with The Range agreeing to buy 70 of its stores and save 1,600 jobs.

But that leaves Homebase's remaining 49 stores, its head office, and 2,000 workers in limbo. It is still not known whether the Newcastle-under-Lyme store, on Brook Lane, has been saved.

CDS Superstores, which is controlled by billionaire Chris Dawson and owns The Range, is also buying the Homebase brand. The tycoon bought collapsed chain Wilko last year, since when he has set about opening a number of stores.

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CDS said the Homebase brand will continue to trade online, and the stores it is buying will remain as Homebase over the coming months until they are transferred to CDS when they will quickly re-open as The Range superstores.

Group chief executive Alex Simpkin said: "We've stepped in following the sad demise of the much loved Homebase brand which has had a long and previously successful history of helping UK households with their DIY projects and gardening needs, for over 45 years."

Damian McGloughlin, boss 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. These efforts have not been successful and today we have made the difficult decision to appoint administrators."

Gavin Maher, joint administrator at Teneo, said: "We appreciate that this is a very difficult and uncertain time for all involved. The sale to CDS preserves the Homebase brand and secures a significant number of jobs and we hope to complete sales of additional stores over the coming weeks. The remainder of the stores will continue to trade whilst buyers are sought and we would encourage any party with an interest to get in touch."

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