Major DIY chain with 137 branches to shut another store this month as shoppers slam ‘absolutely outrageous situation’
Date: 2025-03-11
A MAJOR DIY chain with 137 branches is closing another store this month – leaving customers furious.
The Homebase store in St Albans, which had already announced 15 closures, is now shutting down just four years after reopening, leaving staff out of work.
A spokesperson for Homebase said: “We have announced 16 stores confirmed for closure in March.
“Affected team members have been given notice of their effective date of redundancy by their employee representative and store manager, followed by confirmation letters sent to their home address.”
Stating that affected employees will receive their wages and benefits up until their final day.
Customers took to Facebook to share their thoughts on the closures.
One called it “absolutely outrageous,” while another said: “Everything British is shutting down.”
Some wondered what would replace the store, with one commenting: “It won’t be long before it’s another gym, coffee shop, or takeaway!”
Lastly, one user said: “Had a feeling it wouldn’t last long—first Homebase, then Bunnings, now back to Homebase again.”
The DIY retailer, which fell into administration in November, was partially rescued by billionaire Chris Dawson, owner of CDS Superstores.
While CDS pledged to save up to 70 stores, 74 branches were left facing closure.
The company has also taken over the Homebase brand and relaunched its website, offering thousands of products for sale.
Some of the former Homebase stores are being repurposed and reopened under The Range brand.
These new locations feature a mix of products typically found in The Range, alongside dedicated “Garden Centres by Homebase” and “Kitchens by Homebase” sections.
CDS Superstores has ambitious expansion plans, aiming to open three new stores per week in the coming months, with a target of launching at least 50 locations by the end of April.
This week, the company confirmed it has rescued eight more Homebase stores, with some set to reopen within days.
Several former Homebase stores are being given a new lease of life under The Range brand, with locations in Ruislip, Maidenhead, Harrogate, Dublin Nutgrove, and Dublin Santry set to reopen this month.
Meanwhile, three more stores in Bangor, Godalming, and Winchester are scheduled to open their doors to shoppers starting in April.
These revamped locations will join The Range’s growing portfolio as part of its ongoing expansion plans.
So far, only 26 stores have been confirmed as saved, leaving the fate of many locations uncertain.
Other retailers, including B&Q and Wickes, have stepped in to buy some of the stores not included in the rescue deal.
The full list of branches set to close by the end of the month includes St Albans (Hatfield), Bredbury (Stockport), Ewell, Heath Retail Park (Honiton), Catford (London), Milton Keynes, Orpington, Hamilton (Scotland), Omagh (Northern Ireland), and Londonderry (Northern Ireland).
History of Homebase
- 1979: Homebase was founded by the supermarket chain Sainsbury’s and Belgian retailer GB-Inno-BM
- April 1981: The first store opened in Croydon
- October 1981: The second store opened in Leeds
- 1989: Homebase opened its 50th store in Norwich
- 1995: The chain boasted 82 stores and Sainsbury’s acquired all 241 Texas Homecare stores
- 1996-1999: All Texas Homecare stores were converted into the Homebase format
- 2001: Sainsbury’s sells Homebase but retains a 17.3% minority stake until 2002
- 2006: Homebase operated as a subsidiary under the Home Retail Group from October 2006 until 2016
- February 2016: Australian retailer Wesfarmers owner of the Bunnings brand, purchased Homebase for £340million
- February 2018: Wesfarmers reported losses relating to the takeover of £57million in the year to June 2017, and soon decided to implement a review of the business
- May 2018: Hilco bought the hardware store chain for just £1
- 2018-2024: Homebase has closed 106 stores since it was taken over by Hilco Capital
