Store closes – and more could follow after review

HOMEBASE has confirmed it is to close one of its stores in Cardiff.

Its Culverhouse Cross site will close next month.

A spokesperson for the company said: “We can confirm that our Culverhouse Cross store is set to close on March 10.

“Team members at the store have been informed and we are working to support them as much as possible.”

According to a Homebase spokesperson the move is unrelated to the news earlier in the week that the DIY chain’s Australian owner has launched a review of the business that may see up to 40 stores shut. A move that could see 2,000 staff made redundant.

Wesfarmers, which owns Homebase’s parent firm Bunnings UK, said on Monday that trading at the chain has been “poor” as it booked a £454m impairment charge linked to its acquisition of the retailer.

“The Homebase acquisition has been below our expectations which is obviously disappointing.

“In light of this, a review of Bunnings UK has commenced to identify the actions required to improve shareholder returns,” Wesfarmers managing director Rob Scott said.

The group later confirmed that between 20 and 40 of the worst performing Homebase stores could close.

A spokesperson for the company when asked if any of the Homebase stores in Wales will be affected said: “It’s too early to say and it’s not appropriate to speculate at this point. Our team will always be the first to know of any updates.”