B&Q is snapping up three Homebase stores

Kingfisher-owned B&Q’s Irish division is paying approximately £3.2m for the three Homebase leasehold properties in Letterkenny, Navan and Waterford and described their purchase as “strategic additions” to its estate.

The shops will be converted to the B&Q fascia, bringing the retailer a further 9,300 sq m of trading space.

The deal is expected to be completed in the first quarter of Kingfisher’s 2025/26 financial year. The conversion of the first of the three shops is expected to take place in the first half and all will be done by the end of next year. Homebase employees are expected to transfer to B&Q following a consultation.

B&Q chief executive Graham Bell said: “We’re delighted to be adding these three stores to our fantastic store network. We’re determined to give home improvers the choice and convenience they deserve, and these locations need a home improvement store that fulfills their need.

“We look forward to swiftly concluding the purchase and converting the stores to the B&Q brand and offer, and to welcoming our new customers to the stores and new colleagues to the B&Q family.”

Homebase collapsed into administration in November. In the UK, entrepreneur Chris Dawson’s CDS Superstores bought about 70 stores and the Homebase brand. The shops will be converted to branches of The Range.