The Range to open in former Hudersfield Homebase store in April

Around 100 jobs will be created in Huddersfield with the opening of a new store in the spring.

Discount retailer The Range will open its new store at Great Northern Retail Park in April – creating about 100 full and part-time jobs in roles ranging from store and department managers to warehouse workers.

The newcomer is moving into 32,000sq ft premises formerly occupied by DIY retailer Homebase, which closed its doors last month with the loss of 34 jobs.

It is understood that Homebase workers who lost their jobs were given guaranteed interviews for jobs with The Range, but a spokeswoman for the homeware chain could not confirm if any of them were successful in finding employment.

The Range, owned by Plymouth-based businessman Chris Dawson and founded in 1980, boasts “quality products at affordable prices” across areas including DIY, homeware, furniture and arts and crafts.

It already has stores in Halifax, Bradford, Leeds, Sheffield, Barnsley, Doncaster and York.

Mr Dawson said: “We feel that The Range is a unique shopping experience that has something for everyone and we are confident that the people of Huddersfield will enjoy what The Range has to offer.

“We are a fast growing company and I am confident that The Range Huddersfield will play an important role in our expansion.”

Mr Dawson thanked Kirklees Council for “welcoming us and being so supportive”. He added: “I look forward to inviting the people of Huddersfield down to see what we are all about.”

Homebase closed its Huddersfield store in January – following an announcement made in June last year – and has transferred the lease to The Range.

The Range is billed as a discount retailer in the home improvement sector, selling items including furniture, bedding, garden, DIY, pet products, kitchens and bathrooms.

Homebase is closing a quarter of its 323 stores after a review by parent Home Retail Group found failings in its sales performance.

The review found Homebase was saddled with “inconsistent store operating standards” as well as “a large estate with low sales densities that result in a challenged financial model”.

Source : Henryk Zientek - Huddersfield Daily Examiner
www.examiner.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/range-creates-100-jobs-new-8608337