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Brand buyout saves Homebase as Oban store’s future hangs in balance

The West Highlands shop could be forced to close as new owner yet to reveal safe list.

Homebase
The Oban Homebase could close. Image: Google Maps

Retailer Homebase has sold the majority of its stores to retail group CDS and has therefore been bought out of administration.

However, the future of 2,000 workers and 49 shops remains unclear – this could include the branch in Oban.

Homebase had appointed administrators before CDS, who owns The Range, bought the majority of the brand’s stores.

The deal has secured up to 1,600 jobs and 70 stores, however, the future of a further 2,000 workers and 49 shops hangs in the balance.

It has not been made clear which stores will remain as Homebase.

Administrators have also not disclosed the locations of the 49 outlets not included in the deal.

Workers in Oban are said to be “beyond devastated” that their store is at risk.

The homes and garden brand has a shop in Inverurie in Aberdeenshire. Earlier this year we reported that the branch will close and be converted into a Sainsbury’s.

All stores, including Oban, remain open and operating as normal.

‘Worrying that our jobs in Oban are on the line’

One worker, who did not want to be named, said: “It is worrying that our jobs in Oban are on the line.

“We are beyond devastated.

“This is a busy and popular shop, and I hope that a buyer can be found to keep us open.

“Many of the staff have been here for decades, and love working for Homebase.

“We are a very close-knit team.”

The Oban branch of Homebase opened in the town in October 2006, and supplies not only the town but surrounding islands.

According to The Sun, Chris Dawson, who owns The Range, is considering buying up to 70 stores as part of a pre-pack administration process.

Homebase bought out of administration

Homebase appointed administrators from Teneo on Wednesday before CDS went ahead with the rescue deal.

The DIY and garden retailer currently has 145 stores across the UK and Ireland.

It was understood that business in Scotland would not be included in a last-minute deal.

Homebase Inverurie.
Homebase is known for its garden centres. Image: Chris Cromar/DC Thomson.

These stores make up a section of the business that includes 58 stores that remain at risk of closing for good.

At its peak, Homebase had 250 stores and 11,500 staff.

Hilco Capital purchased Homebase from Wesfarmers in 2018 for £1.

Homebase has closed 106 stores since it was taken over by Hilco Capital in 2018.

According to various reports, a formal sale process for part of the business is under way after being approached by The Range.

It comes after Sainsbury’s revealed it had bought ten Homebase stores with plans to convert them into supermarkets.

We have contacted Homebase for comment.

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Read more: New Inverurie Sainsbury’s could cause car park chaos with ‘five times the number of shoppers’

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