Wickes, the UK’s leading home improvement retailer, today announces that it has acquired the leases of four former Homebase stores.
As part of its ongoing store opening and refit programme, the stores, located in Dunfermline, Bury St Edmunds, Leeds Moor Allerton and Northampton, will reopen later this year under the Wickes brand.
This transaction will enable Wickes to continue with its new store opening programme into catchment areas which do not currently benefit from a Wickes store, as the business continues to invest in its strategic growth levers. These stores will be refitted and modernised in line with the new Wickes format, which is proven to resonate with customers and deliver a strong return on capital employed.
David Wood, chief executive of Wickes, comments: “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.”
The Dunfermline, Bury St Edmunds and Leeds Moor Allerton stores will cease trading as Homebase stores on 3rd March 2025 and all 55 employees will remain in their jobs as Wickes employees. Wickes exchanged an agreement to take the lease on the Homebase store in Northampton in July 2024, prior to the administration. The store is currently closed for redevelopment.
