The Range Looking to Split Cheltenham Homebase Site

The Range has submitted a planning application to split an existing Homebase store into two sites. 

Homebase still trades from its Cheltenham store in Centrum Park, Tewkesbury Road, but The Range is keen to convert the building and open in one of the units.

The Cheltenham store has not been publicly earmarked for closure by Homebase but local press reports that the planning documents, submitted on behalf of the unit's landlord - The Royal London Mutual Insurance Society Limited - indicate that it will 'shortly become vacant'. 

Homebase has been discussing rent reductions and store lease changes with landlords since shareholders approved plans to launch a CVA in August 2018.  Local press reports that Homebase and The Royal London Mutual Insurance Society Limited have not come to a final agreement regarding the Cheltenham store and the landlord is reviewing options for the site.

The Range would like to take on the lion's share of the Homebase unit and create a 38,718 sq ft store in its place, with the remaining 19,784 sq ft used for a non-food retailer.

The application states: “The real effect of the application proposals is positive, allowing a soon to be vacant retail unit to be occupied.

“Notably, the proposed sub-division will enable the larger part of the unit to be occupied by The Range.

“This will be beneficial in terms of retail provision in Cheltenham and of course the proposals will be beneficial through the creation of jobs.”

It adds that the development will not harm the town centre, or any other centre, because no new floorspace is being created and there is no suitable premises in the town centre capable of “accommodating the scale of the proposals”.

Source : Insight DIY Team

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