B&Q Ireland has announced that it has reached agreements to acquire 3 leasehold stores, currently trading as Homebase, in the Republic of Ireland for a total purchase price of ca. £3.2m.
The 3 stores complement B&Q’s existing network of 8 stores in the Republic of Ireland, representing strategic additions to its estate. Following conversion to the B&Q banner, the stores will have a combined total selling area of over 9,300sq m and enable more customers to benefit from B&Q’s and TradePoint’s extensive offer of home improvement products and services, helping to make home improvement projects and trade jobs easier. This includes Kingfisher own exclusive brands, and B&Q’s leading customer propositions: kitchen and bathroom design and installations, TradePoint counters, timber cutting and paint mixing, and click & collect and home and bulk delivery services at diy.ie.
The agreement for the stores is subject to landlord and customary regulatory approvals, with the expectation that the transactions will complete in the first quarter of Kingfisher FY 2025/26. B&Q will convert to its banner the first of these stores in the first half of this year and aims to complete the conversion of all sites by the end of calendar year 2025. Capital expenditure relating to the store acquisitions and fit-out costs will be incurred in Kingfisher FY 2025/26.
On completion of the acquisition, following a period of consultation with the employees at the 3 stores, they will become employees of B&Q.
Graham Bell, CEO, B&Q, said: “We’re delighted to be adding these 3 stores to our fantastic store network. We’re determined to give home improvers the choice and convenience they deserve, and these locations need a home improvement store that fulfils their need. We look forward to swiftly concluding the purchase 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 3 Homebase leasehold stores being purchased by B&Q Ireland Limited are Homebase Letterkenny, Homebase Navan and Homebase Waterford.
