Homebase to open new store in Hexham over Easter weekend

An Easter opening date has been given for Homebase’s move into Hexham.

The DIY giant has confirmed that it plans to open the new store at the railway station’s former goods yard over Easter weekend, which this year is the third weekend in April.

Excitement has built as work on the £8m retail development has progressed, Homebase the anchor tenant in the major project.

It will be joined by Pets at Home and Majestic Wine, but both companies were reluctant to reveal a proposed opening date or the number of jobs to be created.

This week, the new store manager for Hexham’s Homebase, Louise Reilly, said the company hoped to recruit up to 25 people in full and part-time positions.

People interested in applying for the roles are invited to attend a recruitment open day which will be held at the Torch Centre, in Corbridge Road, Hexham, between 9am and 8pm on Tuesday.

Louise said: “We are really excited about our new Homebase store opening in Hexham and it is planned to open around Easter. The brand new store will bring Schreiber, Hygena and Habitat brands to Hexham, as well as a garden centre and decorating centre to inspire people to create a home they love.”

The Hexham Goods Yard project is being spearheaded by County Durham commercial property developers Rokeby Developments, in agreement with Wm Morrison Supermarkets and development manager Network Rail.

Rokeby said Homebase would take up the larger unit on-site, which measures 20,000 sq ft, and Pets at Home (7,000 sq ft) and Majestic Wine (3,300 sq ft) would be moving in too. There are also to be 7,500 sq ft retail units and 10,000 sq ft industrial units, which have yet to be occupied.

A new station car park consisting of 149 spaces, including nine disabled bays, will also be created along with a new disabled access to the adjacent railway station.

Planning consent for the development was granted a year ago and work has been ongoing since August. The site is expected to be fully completed this summer.

Source : David Coulter - Hexham Courant
www.hexhamcourant.co.uk/news/hexham-easter-opening-for-store-1.1119066