Home Bargains Looking to Invest £5m in Hawick Homebase Site

Home Bargains is reportedly planning to spend £5 million on redeveloping a soon-to-be-vacated Homebase unit located in a Scottish Borders retail park.

Hawick Homebase on Galalaw Retail Park is to close on Saturday 10th November after 13 years, with the loss of 27 jobs.  TJ Morris, the parent company of Home Bargains, anticipates that it will create around 50 jobs if planning permission is granted and it takes on the site, which is expected to open in spring 2019. 

A Glasgow-based planning firm, Iceni Projects, submitted a proposal on behalf of TJ Morris, requesting that 30% of the 12,600 m² site be used for food retailing.

A spokesperson for Home Bargains said: “TJ Morris are delighted to bring Home Bargains to Galalaw Retail Park in Hawick.

“We are currently in planning to allow us to open the store and look forward to opening in early 2019, all going well.

“This proposal involves a significant investment from TJ Morris, in the region of £5m, with the opportunity to create 50 full-time jobs.

“Following the planned closure of the Homebase store later this year, we are keen to progress with this exciting project as soon as we can.” 

Local councillors and town MP have welcomed the proposal and have urged Scottish Borders Council to work with Home Bargains on the application.

John Lamont, the Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk MP, said: “It is hugely encouraging to hear that another company is already keen to take on the property set to be vacated by Homebase.

“Home Bargains would be a good fit for taking over the site in Galalaw, and I’d hope it means that at least some of the Homebase staff will be able to find new employment.

“It sounds like we might end up with more jobs at Galalaw than at the moment, which would be an excellent start to 2019 for Hawick.

Stuart Marshall, Hawick and Denholm councillor, said: “The announcement by Home Bargains that they would like to invest £5m in our town is fantastic news, and I certainly think that a dark cloud may well have been lifted on the Homebase site.

“The possibility of creating 50 full-time jobs is a real shot in the arm for our town, and after speaking with Homebase staff earlier today, the mood amongst some staff is certainly more optimistic in terms of their future.

Davie Paterson, Hawick and Hermitage councillor, said: “It is great that another business wants to take over Homebase. Hopefully, they can retain all or as many jobs as possible.”

Source : Insight DIY Team

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