The former Homebase store in Christchurch is set to be transformed into a new superstore under an established brand. CDS Superstores, the parent company of The Range and Wilko, has confirmed that the site in Christchurch Retail Park, Bailey Drive, will relaunch as The Range.
The new store is scheduled to open on January 17 at 9 am, marking the beginning of a major rebranding effort. Following this, CDS plans to convert up to 70 Homebase locations into The Range superstores, with up to 10 new stores opening each month in 2025.
This move is expected to create around 1,600 jobs by next year, providing a much-needed boost to the local job market. Additionally, it offers a glimmer of hope for the Branksome and Blandford Homebase stores, which are also due to close in 2025.
Meanwhile, the Homebase website will remain active under the management of joint administrators until early 2025, when it will be officially transferred to CDS. CDS is also investing in a new website, which will be launched soon, offering a wide selection of home improvement products previously sold by Homebase.
Alex Simpkin, group CEO of CDS, expressed enthusiasm for the transition, saying, “We’re committed to retaining the best elements of Homebase’s legacy while offering the broader selection and value customers expect from The Range. We’re focused on ensuring a smooth transition of these stores to our new format and look forward to enhancing the online shopping experience for home improvement enthusiasts across the UK.”
The closure of Homebase stores comes after a particularly tough period for the DIY sector, with reports suggesting that the retailer’s collapse was partly due to financial issues, including a failed lending facility from Wells Fargo. At the time of its closure, Homebase was also facing numerous challenges regarding property tax liabilities.
With CDS’s plans for The Range, the future of this key location in Christchurch looks bright, promising both a refreshed shopping experience and new opportunities for local employment.
