The Range to open in Sunderland's Homebase store in November

ABOUT 100 new full and part-time jobs will be created when Sunderland’s doomed Homebase store opens under new management next month.

The Silksworth Lane store has been taken over by Plymouth-based retail chain The Range, and will open in its new guise on Friday, November 21.

The Range sells home, garden and leisure items as well as books, magazines and camping equipment.

Founder Chris Dawson said Sunderland City Council’s co-operation had played a key role in bringing the firm to the city.

“I would like to thank the council for welcoming us and being so supportive,” he said.

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

The Echo reported in May that Homebase was to close its Silksworth Lane store, with bosses hoping to transfer the 30 jobs affected to neighbouring stores, or sister chain Argos. GR Planning Consultancy, based in Devon, submitted plans for The Range to take over the store within days of the Homebase announcement, saying: “No new retail space is proposed. The Range will simply reuse the existing Homebase area to largely sell the same range of goods.”

Posts including store and department managers, warehouse and admin staff, can be applied for at Sunderland Job Centre.

Source : Sunderland Echo
www.sunderlandecho.com/news/business/100-new-jobs-on-offer-at-sunderland-s-newest-store-the-range-1-6913886