Wickes acquires four former Homebase stores following chain's collapse

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BHETA
February 28, 2025
2 min read
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Wickes acquires four former Homebase stores following chain's collapse

Wickes has announced the acquisition of four former Homebase stores in the UK, strengthening its presence in key markets following the collapse of the home improvement chain last year.

The newly acquired stores, located in Dunfermline, Bury St Edmunds, and Leeds Moor Allerton, are set to reopen later this year under the Wickes banner. The retailer has confirmed that all 55 employees from these locations will retain their jobs.

In addition to these four stores, Wickes previously acquired a unit in Northampton last July, which is currently undergoing refurbishment. The transition marks a significant step in Wickes’ ongoing expansion strategy, targeting areas that previously lacked a dedicated Wickes store.

The Homebase-branded stores will officially cease trading on 3rd March before undergoing refitting and modernization to align with Wickes’ latest store format. The retailer highlighted that this format has been well received by customers and delivers a strong return on capital investment.

David Wood, Chief Executive of Wickes, expressed enthusiasm for the acquisition, stating: “We are delighted to be acquiring these former Homebase stores and welcoming all colleagues currently working there into the Wickes family. This expansion supports our ambitious growth strategy, allowing us to assist even more customers with their home improvement projects so they can feel house proud.”

The collapse of Homebase has led to a wave of acquisitions across the sector. B&Q recently secured five of Homebase’s UK stores and three in the Republic of Ireland for £5.7 million. Meanwhile, Homebase’s new owner, CDS Superstores – the parent company of The Range and Wilko – has committed to taking on up to 70 of its former locations, which are currently undergoing rebranding.

This latest development underscores the competitive landscape of the home improvement retail sector as major players move to capitalize on Homebase’s market share.

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