Homebase unveiled plans to close 42 stores on Tuesday, putting up to 1,500 jobs at risk.
The closures, which will affect stores across the UK and Ireland, are part of a company voluntary arrangement it has launched in a bid to cut costs, after years of declining sales and profits under previous owner Wesfarmers.
The Australian group bought Homebase for £340m in 2016, but sold it to restructuring specialist Hilco for just £1 earlier this year, describing it as a “disappointing” investment.
On Tuesday, Homebase said it would be closing the 42 branches in late 2018 and early 2019, and said “every effort will be made to redeploy team members within the business where possible”, although it expects to make 1,500 staff redundant.
Usdaw national officer David Gill said: “Homebase staff feared the worst when the company was sold for just £1 following the disastrous ownership by Wesfarmers.
“I am seeking urgent clarification from Hilco about their long-term plan to turn the company around. All too often staff are excluded from the CVA process as the future of their jobs are being decided."
These are the stores earmarked for closure:
Aberdeen Bridge of Don |
East Kilbride |
Peterborough |
Aberdeen Portlethen |
Exeter |
Pollokshaws |
Aylesbury |
Gateshead |
Poole Tower Park |
Bedford St Johns |
Grantham |
Robroyston |
Bradford |
Greenock |
Salisbury |
Brentford |
Hawick |
Seven Kings |
Bristol |
Inverness |
Solihull |
Canterbury |
Ipswich |
Southampton Hedge End |
Cardiff Newport Road |
Limerick |
Southend |
Croydon Purley Way |
London Merton |
Stirling |
Droitwich |
London New Southgate |
Swindon Drakes Way |
Dublin Fonthill |
London Wimbledon |
Swindon Orbital |
Dublin Naas Road |
Macclesfield |
Warrington |
Dundee |
Oxford Botley Road |
Whitby |
