Taunton Homebase to close in May

THE owners of a homes and garden store set to close within weeks have promised staff they will try to find them new jobs.

The Homebase outlet at Hankridge Way, Taunton, announced this week that it will close its doors on Saturday, May 2.

A total of 35 jobs will go at Homebase, which is currently selling off some of its stock at half price.

Employees could be offered jobs in other Homebase or Argos stores, which are owned by Home Retail Group, or helped to find employment elsewhere.

After the unit is vacated, The Range, which also sells homes and gardens items, will take over the lease and move in.

Homebase bosses have told their workers they will be offered interviews with The Range.

A Home Retail Group spokeswoman said: “Following a consultation, Homebase can confirm that its store in Taunton will close its doors on May 2.

“Discussions are being held with colleagues to find alternative employment both within and outside of Home Retail Group.”

The Range has taken over a number of Homebase stores in other parts of the country in what the Home Retail Group describes as “part of the normal management of our store portfolio”.

The group announced last year that it would close 40 of its 300 stores by 2018.

Plymouth-based The Range failed to respond to the County Gazette’s request for a statement.

Source : Somerset County Gazette
www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/11862005.Homebase_set_to_close_in_Taunton_in_May___The_Range_moving_in/