Major DIY retailer to shut 10 more stores starting in DAYS as closing down sales launched

A MAJOR DIY retailer is set to close 10 branches within days as giant clearance sales are launched.

Homebase is pulling down the shutters on the branches this month after eight closed for good at the start of the month.

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The DIY retailer collapsed into administration in November, in a body blow shoppers.

However, it was partially rescued by billionaire Chris Dawson, owner of CDS Superstores, the parent company of The Range and Wilko.

CDS said it wanted to save "up to" 70 Homebase branches, protecting 1,600 jobs, and retain the brand name.

However, this left 74 branches and roughly 2,000 employees facing an uncertain future.

Just a week later, Teneo, the administrators for Homebase, placed the 74 stores up for sale.

To date, CDS has only confirmed the names of 26 stores it has rescued, leaving the exact number of saved locations unclear.

Meanwhile, a handful of other retailers have stepped in to purchase some of the stores that were not included in the chain’s rescue deal.

Among them is B&Q, which has agreed to buy eight of the chain’s branches that were put up for sale and Wickes, which has acquired five stores.

However, three of the branches which could be included in the list of up to 70 rescued by CDS are closing this month.

Homebase stores in St Albans, Stockport and Ewell are all shutting but could reopen under a different retailer's name.

Meanwhile, seven not up for sale to rival chains will close for good. All 10 of the branches don't have confirmed closure dates yet.

This is the full list of branches shuttering by the end of the month:

• St Albans, Hatfield
• Bredbury, Stockport
• Ewell
• Heath Retail Park, Honiton
• Catford, London
• Milton Keynes
• Orpington
• Hamilton, Scotland
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
• Londonderry, Northern Ireland

Teneo said staff at the 10 affected branches have been told they will close this month and their last date of employment.

The administrators added all affected staff will receive their wages and any work benefits until the end of their contracts.

Some of the 10 branches earmarked for closure this month have launched closing down sales as they look to clear stock.

Previously closing stores have offered discounts up to 90%.

Which stores have been saved by The Range?

CDS Superstores, owner of The Range, previously said it would buy "up to" 70 Homebase shops.

It has also taken on the Homebase brand and relaunched its website with thousands of products up for sale.

It is in the process of re-purposing and opening some of the former Homebase stores under its The Range brand.

The new stores feature products usually found in The Range but some contain "Garden Centres by Homebase".

Others locations feature "Kitchens by Homebase" spaces.

CDS Superstores has announced its ambition to open three new stores per week in the coming months, with plans to launch at least 50 locations by the end of April.

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

This week, CDS confirmed it had rescued eight more Homebase stores, with some opening in days.

Homebase stores in Ruislip, Maidenhead, Harrogate, Dublin Nutgrove, and Dublin Santry are set to reopen under The Range name this month.

An additional three locations - in Bangor, Godalming, and Winchester - will welcome shoppers from April onwards.

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