B&M to take over Holyhead Homebase store

Retailer B&M is set to take over the doomed Homebase store in Holyhead - creating up to 80 jobs in the port town.

Homebase confirmed last month it was to close its store in the town with the loss of 30 jobs despite a huge petition from residents urging it to stay open.

But now discount retailer B&M is to take over the site next to Penrhos retail estate.

Anglesey MP Albert Owen says the store has told him bosses could create up to 80 positions and would interview any Homebase employees who wanted to transfer to B&M.

Mr Owen, who had been working alongside Holyhead Town Council to secure jobs, added that Homebase’s parent company, Home Retail Group, who also own Argos, were looking at the possibility of moving staff to the Holyhead Argos store.

Mr Owen said: “I am pleased about the news that B&M are working to ensure that all current employees at the Homebase store in Holyhead have the opportunity to move across to the new store. The news that 50 additional jobs could be created is also to be welcomed.

"It is also good to hear that the future of employees at the store has been taken seriously by the wider Home Retail Group who own Homebase and Argos.

"The massive number of names on the petition handed to me back in March highlights the strength of feeling surrounding this issue. I have been working with Holyhead Town Council on this matter and I have made my feelings and those of residents clear to all relevant parties and I look forward to new jobs coming to fruition.

“I will continue to work to ensure that the staff are taken care of and that a store, be it Homebase or B&M, continues to serve the community of Holyhead and the wider Anglesey population.”

Holyhead Town Council clerk Cliff Everett said: "The closure of Homebase had been bad news for Holyhead but now this has turned into a good news story with B&M taking on the site and creating additional jobs.

"We contacted B&M to ask that staff at Homebase are given the opportunity to be interviewed for the new store and the company have listened and agreed to this. This new store will bring something different to Holyhead."

B&M are now recruiting for the Holyhead store.

Source : Owen Hughes - Daily Post
www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/holyhead-bm-set-take-over-7089344