Wickes snaps up Homebase units to fuel its expansion plans

The home improvement retailer has secured leases for four Homebase units, located in Dunfermline, Bury St Edmunds, Leeds Moor Allerton and Northampton. 

Dunfermline, Bury St Edmunds and Leeds Moor Allerton will cease trading as Homebase stores from March 3, and will reopen later this year under the Wickes brand, retaining 55 employees who will remain in their jobs as Wickes employees.

Wickes acquired the Northampton store before Homebase entered administration and is currently closed for redevelopment. 

According to Wickes, the acquisition forms part of its plan to invest in “strategic growth levers”, bringing physical stores to new areas for the retailer. Each unit will be refitted and modernised in line with Wickes’ new store format, which it said “is proven to resonate with customers and deliver a strong return on capital employed”. 

Wickes chief executive David Wood said: “We are delighted to be acquiring these former Homebase stores and welcoming all colleagues currently working there into the Wickes family. The acquisition of these four stores is a further boost to our ambitious store opening programme as we look to grow the Wickes brand, helping even more customers with their home improvement projects so they can feel house proud.”