Latest news with #AlexSimpkin
Scottish Sun
08-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Major retailer is opening huge new UK store TOMORROW with exclusive garden centre and freebies for shoppers
Read on to find out if one has opened near you FROM THE ART Major retailer is opening huge new UK store TOMORROW with exclusive garden centre and freebies for shoppers Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MAJOR retailer is set to open a huge new home and garden store tomorrow - and shoppers can nab a handful of freebies. After a large scale takeover which saw parent company CDS Superstores buy out 70 Homebase stores, the popular chain is expanding its reach across the UK. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 The Range will open a new store in Tiverton, Devon tomorrow Credit: Alamy The retailer will wave in customers in Tiverton, Devon from tomorrow. As part of the celebration, goody bags will be given to the first 50 people in the queue, and there are two major prizes up for grabs for the first two customers through the door. Alex Simpkin, CEO of CDS Superstores, trading as The Range, wilko and Homebase, said: "We're fully committed to retaining the best of Homebase's heritage while introducing the broader product range and value that customers expect from us as The Range. 'While those Homebase stores acquired by CDS will continue to trade throughout the transition period, we're focused on ensuring a seamless transfer of these locations into our new store format, with fifteen launches confirmed for this year so far. 'We're also eager to help consumers nationwide by investing in the Homebase brand with the relaunch of offering customers nationwide an upgraded shopping experience via a diverse range of products for all their home and garden projects. "This latest development underscores CDS Superstores' commitment to revitalising the retail landscape by blending trusted brands, preserving jobs and enhancing local economies.' Which stores have already reopened? The Range has opened 33 new format superstores across the UK and Republic of Ireland since January. The full list of locations and their reopening dates are: Pollokshaws, Glasgow - opened January 17 Christchurch, Bournemouth - opened January 17 Kings Heath, Birmingham - opened January 17 Newton Abbot - opened January 24 Felixstowe - opened January 24 Blyth - opened January 24 Stroud - opened January 31 Putney Road, Leicester - opened January 31 Blandford Forum - opened January 31 Penge - opened February 7 Woking opened February 7 Leighton Buzzard - opened February 7 Staines - opened February 14 Ashbourne - opened February 14 East Dereham - opened February 14 Huntingdon opened February 21 Reigate opened February 21 Bicester - opened February 21 Admiral Park, Eastbourne - opened February 28 Morecambe - opened February 28 Oxford - opened February 28 Bodmin - opened March 7 Loudwater - opened March 7 Selby - opened March 7 Craigleith Park, Edinburgh - opened March 21 Horsham - opened March 21 Ruislip - opened March 21 Maidenhead - opened March 28 Harrogate - opened March 28 Sligo, ROI - opened April 4 Drogheda, ROI - opened April 4 Winchester - opened April 4 Balloo Park, Bangor, NI - opened April 4 These stores sell a mixture of The Range and Homebase gardening and homeware products. ALDI's Biggest US Expansion: 225 New Stores in 2025 Several of the new stores also include Garden Centres by Homebase, which sell a range of house and garden plants. They are available in the Sligo, Drogheda and Bangor stores. Selected stores also have Kitchens by Homebase departments, where customers can shop a range of kitchen designs and accessories. Alex Simpkin, CEO of CDS Superstores, said: 'The expansion marks a significant milestone in our journey and allows us to offer an even more exciting shopping experience to our customers, with a wider selection of home improvement, gardening and kitchen products available under one roof at convenient locations across the UK and Republic of Ireland. 'We continue to look forward to welcoming shoppers into our stores and providing them with everything they need for their homes and gardens.' Which other retailers have purchased Homebase stores? A handful of other retailers have stepped in to purchase some Homebase stores that were not included in the chain's rescue deal. Among them is B&Q, which agreed to buy eight of the chain's stores that were put up for sale. Wickes has also acquired five more stores, including a former Homebase location that closed before the chain entered administration. Meanwhile, B&M has confirmed that it has acquired the lease for Homebase's former site at Tweedmouth Retail Park in Berwick.
Western Telegraph
28-04-2025
- Business
- Western Telegraph
The Range, Haverfordwest, opens at Springfield Retail Park
The Range opened the doors to its new Haverfordwest store, located at the old Homebase store at 9am on Friday, April 25. The shop offed a host of goodies for its first customers including goodie bags filled with more than 20 of the retailer's most-loved products, a Charleston barbecue and a Slush Puppy party kit. The new store at Springfield Retail Park was opened by leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, Councillor Jon Harvey. Once inside customers perused aisles of homeware, furnishings, garden wear, paint, pet products as well as the Homebase Garden Centre which was bursting with blooms. The newly opened store also features a free Click & Collect service, allowing customers to shop either online on the Homebase or The Range websites and collect their purchases in-store within 60 minutes. Shoppers from all over the county, as well as some well-behaved dogs, came to have a peek at the new shop on Friday. As well as delighting in the diverse range of goods, many were pleased to see familiar faces from the old Homebase store now working as staff at The Range. Homebase, the major DIY chain, closed its doors in Pembrokeshire for the final time on Thursday March 20, following a massive sale which left its shelves virtually empty. The UK's 130 Homebase stores went into administration last year with the jobs of 3,600 staff under threat. Around 70 UK stores have been sold to The Range's parent company CDS (Superstores International), which is expected to secure up to 1,600 jobs. The Haverfordwest store is included in CDS's plans to convert more than 50 locations into The Range by the end of May. At the beginning of April, this had been achieved in 30 stores across the UK and the Republic of Ireland. Alex Simpkin, CEO of CDS Superstores, trading as The Range, Wilko, and Homebase, said: "It's been an exciting day for The Range and our customers here in Haverfordwest. "The opening of this new store marks a milestone for us, especially with the introduction of Garden Centres by Homebase – a great new offering for gardening lovers. "We've combined Homebase's trusted expertise with the diverse range of products The Range is known for, and we can't wait for more shoppers to experience this one-stop-shop destination for home improvement and gardening." The Range, Haverfordwest is open seven days a week, from 8.30am to 8pm Monday to Saturday and 1.30pm to 4.30pm on Sunday.
Western Telegraph
26-04-2025
- Business
- Western Telegraph
The Range opens its new superstore in Haverfordwest
The retailer has transformed the former Homebase location and welcomed residents and visitors to the store on Friday, April 25. The grand opening was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Councillor Jon Harvey. The new store features The Range's popular homeware and furnishings, as well as a new gardening hub. A key highlight is the introduction of the 'Garden Centre by Homebase', offering a selection of outdoor plants, gardening tools, and supplies. The store also follows The Range's dog-friendly initiative, allowing well-behaved dogs on leads inside. Shoppers were eager to be among the first to experience the store, with early queues forming outside. The first 50 customers received goodie bags filled with more than 20 of the retailer's most-loved products. Lucky winners at the front of the queue also took home prizes, including the Charleston 2 Burner BBQ worth £99.99 with a free cylinder and gas valued at over £70, courtesy of Calor Gas. The second place winner walked away with the Slush Puppy Party Pack, worth £100. Brand representatives from key suppliers, including Calor Gas, were on hand to offer expert advice, product demonstrations, and exclusive promotions and giveaways to shoppers. The Haverfordwest store is part of a wider expansion effort, with new sites also launching in Nutgrove, Republic of Ireland, Drakehouse Park, Sheffield, and Rayleigh Weir, with more planned throughout 2025. Alex Simpkin, CEO of CDS Superstores, trading as The Range, Wilko, and Homebase, said: "It's been an exciting day for The Range and our customers here in Haverfordwest. "The opening of this new store marks a milestone for us, especially with the introduction of Garden Centres by Homebase – a great new offering for gardening lovers. "We've combined Homebase's trusted expertise with the diverse range of products The Range is known for, and we can't wait for more shoppers to experience this one-stop-shop destination for home improvement and gardening." The newly opened store also features a free Click & Collect service, allowing customers to shop either online on the Homebase or The Range websites and collect their purchases in-store within 60 minutes.
