Iconic homeware store set to open three new superstores in ex-Homebase sites as part of ‘major expansion’

AN ICONIC homeware store is snapping up former Homebase sites to launch a new range of smaller sites.

The “major expansion” will be carried out across three different parts of the UK.

Ikea has secured locations in Harlow, Chester, and Norwich, and are set to boast a more compact shopping experience.

The plan is for the Swedish homeware store to create “mini” branches using the empty ex-Homebase sites.

It described the offering as “the classic Ikea experience customers know and love, but on a smaller scale.”

There will be around 5,000 products on display, with 3,000 available for immediate purchase and the rest available to order.

This will include a select range of products, design services, and click-and-collect options.

And it wouldn’t be Ikea without food – the new stores will feature a bite-sized menu of takeaway options, so shoppers can grab a quick snack while they browse.

Peter Jelkeby, Ikea UK and Ireland’s CEO, said: “We know many people want to shop with us, but sometimes we’re just too far away.

“That’s why we’re expanding into retail parks, making it easier for customers in these areas to shop with Ikea.

“Centrally located in retail parks, our three new stores mark a major step forward in our expansion plan, making it easier than ever for customers in these areas to shop with us.

“Harlow, Chester and Norwich have long been areas of interest to us, and we’re looking forward to bringing the very best of the Ikea experience in a refreshingly compact format to these communities later this year.”;

Flying Eze has reached out to Ikea for further details.

Currently, Ikea has 21 large stores across the UK, along with order and collection points in Aberdeen, and plan and order locations in Aintree, Preston, and Stockport.

The new move follows the buzz around Ikea’s highly anticipated Oxford Street flagship, opening this spring, and a new store set to land in Brighton later this year.

The Oxford Street store has been under renovation for three years, with improvements to the building’s environmental credentials and a refresh of its original features.

Last month, Ikea revealed they received more than 3,700 applications in just six days for the Oxford Street store – ten times the 150 positions available.

Ikea's expansion also comes off the back of a range of Homebase sites freeing up after the company went bust in November last year.

The DIY chain was partially rescued at the time by billionaire Chris Dawson, owner of CDS Superstores, the parent company ofThe RangeandWilko.

He managed aimed to preserve “up to” 70 stores, safeguard 1,600 jobs, and retain the Homebase brand.

This left around 74 Homebase locations in limbo, but just a week later, the administrators put those sites up for sale.

At the time, Flying Eze's analysis revealed that only 57 stores were excluded from the sale, hinting that they might have been part of CDS's rescue plan.

So far, however, CDS has only confirmed the rescue of 26 stores, leaving the full list of saved locations still up in the air.

It’s now been confirmed that three more locations have been saved from closure and will reopen next month.

Former Homebase stores in Sheffield, Haverfordwest, and Rayleigh Weir will be rebranded as The Range outlets in April.

These locations will also feature a new concept – “Garden Centres by Homebase” – to help keep the brand alive.

Earlier this month, stores in Ruislip, Maidenhead, Harrogate, Nutgrove, and both Dublin and Dublin Santry were also slated for reopening.

An additional three locations – in Bangor, Godalming, and Winchester – will welcome shoppers from April onwards.

The full list of Homebase stores rescued by The Range include:

• Ashbourne, Waterside Business Park – opened February 14
• Bicester – opened February 21
• Birmingham, Kings Heath – opened January 17
• Blandford Forum, Dorset – opened January 31
• Blyth – opened January 24
• Bodmin – opens March 7
• Christchurch – opened January 17
• East Dereham, Norfolk – opened February 14
• Eastbourne, Admiral Park – opened February 28
• Edinburgh, Craigleith – opens March 21
• Felixstowe – opened January 24
• Glasgow, Pollokshaws – opened January 17
• Horsham – opens March 21
• Huntingdon – opened February 21
• Leicester, Putney Road – opened January 31
• Leighton Buzzard – opened February 7
• Loudwater, High Wycombe – opens March 7
• Morecambe, Lancashire – opened February 28
• Newton Abbot – opened January 24
• Oxford, Horspath Driftway – opened February 28
• Penge, London – opened February 7
• Reigate, Surrey – opened February 21
• Selby – opens March 7
• Staines – opened February 14
• Stroud – opened January 31
• Woking – opened February (date incomplete)
• Ruislip – opens later this month
• Maidenhead – opens later this month
• Harrogate – opens later this month
• Dublin, Nutgrove – opens later this month
• Dublin, Santry – opens later this month
• Bangor – opens April
• Godalming – opens April
• Winchester – opens April
• Sheffield – reopens in April
• Haverfordwest – reopens in April
• Rayleigh Weir – opens in April

The company is further investing in the Homebase brand with the relaunch of its website, www.homebase.co.uk.

CDS has also confirmed that the Homebase brand will continue to operate online.

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