Bolton Homebase to close in a fortnight

HOMEBASE in Bolton town centre is to close, with the loss of 30 jobs.

The DIY shop, which has been in Manchester Road for almost 25 years, is due to shut in a fortnight.

It employs 30 people in full and part-time jobs.

A spokesman for Homebase told The Bolton News: “Following a consultation with colleagues over the past few weeks, Homebase can confirm it is closing its store on October 19. Discussions are taking place with colleagues to identify alternative working opportunities wherever possible within Home Retail Group.”

The Homebase shop at Middlebrook Retail Park in Horwich will not be affected by the move and will stay open.

Keith Davies, Bolton Council’s development and regeneration chief, said he was disappointed that the town centre was to lose another major retailer.

He said: “It’s always disappointing to read or hear of a closure of this kind.

“We have seen some significant success in that area of the town with Wayne Walker Meats and B&M Bargains and they have created jobs.”

Mr Davies said the local authority would help those who are being made redundant.

He said: “We would like to support any person that is losing their job as a result of this closure through our employment initiatives and we will work with the Homebase management in this respect.”

Mr Davies said he believed that the latest closure was part of an ongoing “rationalisation” taking place among large businesses to reduce cost further.

He added: “Despite this our efforts will continue with the focus of attracting new business into the town centre through new initiatives.”

Homebase opened in Manchester Road on December 13, 1988.

Its closure follows the exit of several big high street names from Bolton town centre over the last few years, including Lush, HMV, La Senza, Burton, Dixons, Jessops, Woolworths, Body Shop, Subway and Topman.

Retail experts have blamed the credit crunch and increased competition from the internet as major factors in the decline of the high street.

Source : Peter Devine - The Bolton News
www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/10720086.Homebase_in_Bolton_town_centre_to_close_in_two_weeks/