Shrewsbury Homebase store to close in June

One of Shropshire's five Homebase superstores is to close next month, putting about 50 jobs at risk, it was revealed today.

The home improvement chain confirmed that the Shrewsbury store, at Sundorne Retail Park, off Battlefield Road, will close on June 22.

The closure will not affect the four other county branches, which are at Penda Retail Park, in Salop Road, Oswestry; Waymills Road, Whitchurch; Market Drayton near Towers Lawn car park and Telford’s Wrekin Retail Park.

The company said it had held consultations with its Shrewsbury staff and was doing “all it could” to minimise redundancies.

It is believed up to 50 jobs could be affected by the move, but the company refused to confirm the exact number of workers at the store.

Shropshire councillor Vernon Bushell, who represents the Harlescott ward, said: “I had not heard about the closure but anything that is costing jobs in Shrewsbury is sad news.”

Homebase is owned by Home Retail Group, which also owns high street giant Argos.

Profits at Home Retail Group have fallen for a fifth consecutive year as the retail industry undergoes a transformation against a backdrop of weak consumer confidence.

It reported a 23 per cent fall in profit before tax to £99 million in the 12 months to March 2, with revenues broadly flat at £5.48 billion.

The retailer has 65 store leases coming up for renewal over the next five years and says it is planning to close all but 25 of them.

Internet sales at the retailer have grown year on year and now account for about five per cent of its total revenue.

A spokeswoman for Home Retail Group said: “Homebase will be closing its store at Sundorne Retail Park, Battlefield Road, in Shrewsbury on Saturday, June 22.

“The business is doing all it can to identify alternative employment for affected employees.

“Homebase remains committed to the area and local residents are able to shop at alternative stores.”

Source : The Shropshire Star
www.shropshirestar.com/news/2013/05/09/shrewsbury-homebase-store-is-to-close/