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.
According to Wickes, the news means it 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 stores will reportedly be refitted and “modernised” so they fall visually in line with the new Wickes format.
The Dunfermline, Bury St Edmunds and Leeds Moor Allerton will cease trading as Homebase stores on March 3, with all 55 employees remaining in their jobs as Wickes employees.
According to Wickes, it exchanged an agreement to take over the lease of the Northampton Homebase store back in July 2024 (which was before the company’s administration), but the store is currently closed for redevelopment.
“We are delighted to be acquiring these former Homebase stores and welcoming all colleagues currently working there into the Wickes family,” announced David Wood, Wickes’ CEO.
He continued: “The acquisition of these four stores is a further boost to our ambitious store opening programme as we look to grow the Wickes brand, helping even more customers with their home improvement projects so they can feel house proud.”
Back in November 2024, it was reported that national home and garden retailer Homebase was poised to collapse into administration. However, the business and up to 70 of its stores were later acquired by CDS Superstores, the parent company behind The Range and Wilko.
Last month, it was also announced that DIY retailer B&Q had stepped in to save three more Homebase stores, all of which are located in the Republic of Ireland.
