The owner of The Range is planning to open a string of new stores in former Homebase outlets around the UK.
CDS Superstores, parent company of the Plymouth-based retailer, acquired 70 outlets when the DIY chain fell into administration last year.
The new-style Range branches will all have Homebase-branded garden centres and a number will have kitchen sections under the DIY brand. The outlets will also allow dogs inside, CDS said, provided they are kept on a lead.
A total of nine locations have already been announced by the retailer with another three opening on Friday (February 7) in Penge, in South East London; Woking in Surrey; and Leighton Buzzard in Bedfordshire.
Alex Simpkin, chief executive of CDS Superstores, said: “We’re fully committed to retaining the best of Homebase’s heritage while introducing the broader product range and value that customers expect from us as The Range.
“While those Homebase stores acquired by CDS will continue to trade throughout the transition period, we’re focused on ensuring a seamless transfer of these locations into our new store format, with twelve launches confirmed for this year already.”
CDS, which was founded by billionaire British businessman Chris Dawson, is planning to roll out up to 10 new superstores a month, with a goal of transforming up to 70 Homebase locations in this new format and securing up to 1,600 jobs throughout 2025. The business said it had “prioritised” retaining and transferring team members from the acquired Homebase locations.
The company has also acquired the rights to all Homebase’s branding and has relaunched its website for online shopping.
The acquisition of Homebase came a year after CDS bought the rights to the Wilko brand following its collapse. The company has since reopened a number of the budget chain’s outlets and is planning to roll out more in 2025.
Former Homebase stores that will become The Range
Pollokshaws, Glasgow
Christchurch, Bournemouth
Kings Heath, Birmingham
Newton Abbot, Devon
Felixstowe, East Suffolk
Blyth, Northumberland
Stroud, Gloucestershire
Putney Road, Leicester
Blandford Forum, Dorset
Penge, London
Woking, Surrey
Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire