Homebase looks to close Llandudno store

Forty jobs are at risk after a high street chain Homebase revealed it may close a North Wales store.

It has announced a period of consultation for employees at the Llandudno store on Mostyn Champneys retail park.

It comes after supporters fought and lost a valiant battle to keep open the company’s Holyhead shop. The site was however taken over by retailers B&M earlier this year.

The company said it had begun consultations with colleagues concerning the ‘proposed closure of our store in Llandudno’.

A spokesman added: “Colleagues at the store have been informed and we will be working with them over the next few weeks to support them as much as possible.

“Due to commercial sensitivities, we are unable to comment further at this time.”

Aberconwy MP Guto Bebb said: “Clearly this news is a significant surprise. Llandudno has been doing remarkably well over recent months.

“To lose Homebase and 40 jobs would be a blow.” He said he will be taking a keen interest in any packages offered to the staff.”

The MP also hopes that any new investment in the area would allow any workers who lost their jobs to be re-employed as quickly as possible.

In Holyhead, retailer B& M took over the doomed Homebase store and created up to 80 jobs in the port town.

At Easter Homebase confirmed 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.

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

He said: “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.”

Holyhead Town Council clerk Cliff Everett had 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.”

Homebase has about 320 large, out-of-town stores throughout the UK and Republic of Ireland serving around 60 million customers a year.

Source : David Powell - North Wales News
www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/closure-threat-homebase-llandudno-could-7623904