DIY chain B&Q is to return to Altrincham after reaching an agreement to take over the Homebase store in Broadheath.
The retailer has not had a presence in the town since closing a large unit on the Atlantic Street Retail Park in September 2016.
That unit was subsequently reconfigured to allow Aldi to relocate into its current home in October 2020.
Homebase has had a long-term presence on the neighbouring Altrincham Retail Park but recently fell into administration, putting 2,000 jobs at risk across 74 stores.
Homebase's Altrincham store has continued to trade and has recently held a closing down sale, but it was set to close permanently in the coming weeks.
But today, B&Q has reached agreement to acquire the store, along with four other leasehold Homebase stores in the UK, for a total of £2.5m.
The agreement is subject to landlord approval, but it's expected the deal will complete in the coming weeks with the store converted to B&Q in the spring.
All employees at the store will become employees of B&Q.
Graham Bell, CEO, B&Q, said: “We’re delighted to be buying these five stores, bringing a total of eight additional sites to our fantastic store network in the UK and Ireland. We’re determined to give home improvers the choice and convenience they deserve, and to transform the home improvement stores in these locations to fulfil that need.
“It’s a great way to be starting 2025! We look forward to swiftly concluding these purchases and converting the stores to the B&Q brand and offer, and to welcoming our new customers to the stores and new colleagues to the B&Q family.”
The other Homebase stores to be acquired by B&Q today are in Basingstoke, Biggleswade, Leamington Spa and Worcester.
