Major update for Homebase shoppers ahead of wave of closures

THE new owner of the Homebase brand has issued a major update that will delight shoppers.

It comes despite a wave of closures that will see a dozen of the DIY retailer's branches soon disappear.

CDS Superstores, the company behind The Range and Wilko, bought up the Homebase brand name and some stores after it plunged into administration last year.

The latter had been struggling due to a lack of customers following the coronavirus pandemic and global supply chain issues.

It is set to takeover up to 70 of its stores which will be turned into The Range stores - but the Homebase name will live on as garden centres at some of these locations.

There will also be "Kitchens by Homebase" at some of the sites where shoppers can buy kitchens.

More than a dozen stores not bought up by CDS are set to pull down their shutters permanently this month.

Now, The Sun can reveal that the Homebase website will be relaunching under the new owners as soon as tomorrow.

The website has continued to operate under administrators but will be handed over to CDS this week, teasing customers with "the next chapter in our 45+ year history" on its homepage.

The revamped website will offer customers thousands of home improvement products including well known brands like Dulux.

It comes after CDS bought collapsed Wilko's brand, relaunching its website and selling classic Wilko items in The Range stores.

Homebase fell into administration in November last year, putting 133 UK stores at risk.

On top of CDS taking over up to 70 locations, Sainsbury's has secured 10 of the sites, and is expected to buy three more, while B&Q has agreed to purchase five.

Shops in Romford, Broadstairs and Coventry are closing this month, however exact closure dates have not been confirmed.

CDS has already confirmed nine former Homebase locations out of the up to 70 which have opened, or will open.

The hybrid stores will combine the Homebase, Wilko and The Range brands offering shoppers a variety of products.

Some branches will include Homebase garden centres with others featuring the popular Dulux paint mixing machines and colour walls.

CDS said it is hoping to open three of the hybrid stores each week, and plans to open at least 50 before the end of April.

Pictures of one of the new stores in Bournemouth were revealed last week when it opened.

It comes as closing down sales were launched at a number of Homebase locations. 

Pictures posted on social media show signs outside the branch in Broadstairs saying "all stock reduced, everything must go".

Two others in Wales recently launched closing down sales as well as a further four across Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Homebase previously confirmed that six sites would close before the end of 2024, including Sutton Coldfield, Bromsgrove, Cromer, Fareham, Newark and Rugby.

Brands and shops that have made a comeback

Homebase is one of a number of brands that have made a comeback after fears they would disappear forever.

Cath Kidston opened its first new store in November after crashing into administration in June 2023.

It came after fashion retailer Next acquired the brand, known for its floral designs and quirky homeware.

Iconic brand Topshop also returned for shoppers online in 2024 following a joint venture between ASOS and Bestseller.

ASOS's boss also suggested the brand could reappear on the high street in the form of physical branches too.

Nostalgic 90s toy brand Toys R Us has been launching branches across the UK too, including 23 before Christmas.

However, the new stores are not standalone sites but "shop-in-shops" found inside WHSmith branches.

Wilko is also back on the high street after CDS Superstores said it would be launching bricks and mortar stores.

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