Dunfermline Homebase jobs could still be at risk

The store is located at Halbeath Retail Park, and employs over a dozen people.

The company suffered a loss of £84.2 million last year, and on November 13 staff at the company Teneo Financial Advisory Limited were appointed as administrators.

The news of administration put 130 stores at risk of closure, however the brand was immediately sold to the owner of the Range homeware outlets Chris Dawson.

Mr Dawson has purchased “up to 70 stores” which could save up to 1600 jobs, however at the date of entering administration, Homebase employed 3,600 staff across its Head Office and stores.

The list of stores purchased has not yet been made available, and it is yet to be revealed if the Dunfermline site is included.

An official statement said: “There will not be any immediate redundancies whilst the administrators urgently assess the position of the Companies. All employee wages and benefits will be paid for their period of employment.

“Customer orders will still be fulfilled as far as possible, and arrangements will be put in place to allow gift vouchers to be used.”

 It comes shortly after the company announced that its Glenrothes store is marked to close before the end of 2024.

CEO of Homebase Damian McGloughlin said: “It has been an incredibly challenging three years for the home and garden improvement market. A decline in consumer confidence and spending following the pandemic has been exacerbated by the impact of persistent high inflation, global supply chain issues and unseasonable weather.”

Homebase was previously owned by the company Hilco Capital, who purchased it from Westfarmers for a single pound in 2018. The company closed 106 stores in the years following the takeover.

Joint Administrator Gavin Maher added: “The remainder of the stores will continue to trade whilst buyers are sought, and we would encourage any party with an interest to get in touch. We thank Homebase’s team members and other stakeholders for their continued support.”