B&M to open on former Homebase site in Coventry

New store in Walsgrave will open next month and create up to 90 jobs.

Discount chain B&M has confirmed it will open a new store in Coventry next month – bringing a massive jobs boost to the city.

The bargain retailer has today confirmed it will move into the former Homebase store in Ansty Road, Walsgrave, which was forced to close earlier this year with the loss of 40 jobs.

The finishing touches are being made to the new superstore, which has been stripped of its green ‘Homebase’ branding.

The new store will create up to 90 new jobs when it opens on January 21.

B&M Area manager Dan Callery said: “B&M is committed to recruiting from the local area. We’re really proud to be creating up to another 90 jobs and continuing to play our part in the local community.”

Last month, the Coventry Telegraph revealed rumours that the retailer would be moving into the old DIY store after it was reported the fast-growing chain was in talks over a multi-million pound deal to take on dozens of Homebase stores across the country.

The jobs boost has been welcomed by local business leaders, who branded it positive news right before Christmas.

Angela Tellyn, partnership manager at the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “This is great news and to see new jobs being created in the city in this way in the run up to Christmas is positive.

“The city certainly seems to be attracting retailers and this will only be enhanced by all of the investment and improvements taking place in the city centre itself.”

In the summer B&M announced it had plans to open more shops in Coventry – with a new store earmarked for the Airport Retail Park. The company, which has 380 shops across the UK, also revealed at the time that it was looking for a second base in the city.

Coventry commercial property expert David Penn, of Shortland Penn + Moore, said: “I am not surprised that this property has attracted a new retailer to it. It is in a busy and prominent location and offers a large footprint for retail.”

B&M is the latest retailer to announce new jobs for Coventry and Warwickshire after Smyths Toystore opened at the Airport Retail Park in July, bringing 30 new jobs to the city.

Last month, supermarket giant Ocado announced it would be creating a further 300 jobs at its Customer Fulfilment Centre in north Warwickshire by Christmas.

And that followed news that Aldi would be bring another 700 jobs to its base in Atherstone.

Source : Jenny Waddington - Coventry Telegraph
www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/discount-store-bm-confirms-takeover-8235187