Bath Homebase to Close Next Month

Bath's Homebase store, off Pines Way, is due to close at the end of next month.

The store will close its doors for the final time on November 24th, according to the store manager, who confirmed the closure yesterday.

The Bath store was not one of the 42 earmarked for closure in Homebase's 14th August announcement and is believed to have had a lease in place until December 2020, according to local press.

At the end of August, over 95% of Homebase creditors voted in favour of a proposed Company Voluntary Agreement, in a bid to save the company. Former owner, Australia's Wesfarmers, said that the investment in Homebase had been disappointing, and sold the business to investment company Hilco in June of this year.

In 2013, plans were submitted - and subsequently withdrawn - to build a Sainsbury's store on the site and redevelop the existing Sainsbury's site next to Green Park Station, just across from Homebase on the other side of the River Avon.

Bath MP Wera Hobhouse said: “Homebase will leave a hole in Bath, but it means that there’s potentially a significant amount of land is opening up for re-development next to the city centre.

“Based on Sainsbury’s previous plans, they wanted to move to the Homebase site, so the land around Green Park station could become available.

“If Sainsbury’s do move, it would be a huge opportunity. That land would be perfect for a mixed used development, designed around the needs of the people of Bath.

“It would be the ideal location for a public facing police station, along with lots of desperately needed social housing. Let’s have some vision!”

Source : Insight DIY Team

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