Homebase Southport to close

News has reached the Insight DIY offices that the Homebase store at Meols Cop Retail Park, Southport is due to close at some point in the next three months. It is understood the store, along with two adjacent units, are due to be demolished to accommodate a new 60,000 sq ft new Sainsbury’s supermarket on the site.

The Homebase team received the news on Tuesday that the store would be closing and that all jobs would be lost. A spokesman for Bunnings/Homebase said their main aim now was to continue supporting team members”.

Sefton Council imposed a planning restriction on Sainsbury’s that it must continue to operate its exsiting store, on Great George’s Place just off Lord Street, for at leats five years after the new store opens.

The store was previously at the centre of planning controversy over a new Sainsbury’s superstore and petrol station. The supermarket retailer wanted to take over the Homebase site and the two units next door and open a new 60,000 sq ft store, creating  400 new jobs.

The plan first went to the Council in October 2014 but as a result of complaints by local residents, the plans were referred to the Government’s Planning Inspectorate. Campaigners, including then Southport MP John Pugh, said the plan could damage Southport town centre and put a strain on the local road network.The plan was finally approved by Communities Secretary Sajid Javid late last year.

A spokesperson from Homebase said: “We can confirm that the lease has expired at our Southport store and we have entered into a consultation period regarding the proposed closure. “Our priority now is to continue supporting team members.”

Homebase declined to comment on when the store might close or how many staff might be affected. Homebase operates stores in Formby, Warrington and Upton, Wirral.

This is now the third Homebase store in four weeks that they have announced will close, more below:-

Read - Another Homebase to close with loss of 40 jobs.

Read - Homebase announces closure of Dover store.

Source: Insight DIY Team

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