Homebase has ramped up the rollout of its small-format stores with the opening of a new high-street shop in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey. In what the company says is 'a show of belief in the future of the British high street', Homebase has added a Kitchens by Homebase to an existing Bathstore showroom and taken on neighbouring units which include a Decorate by Homebase and the retailer’s first small-format Homebase store, offering a range of home and garden essentials.
The company says that customers visiting Bathstore and Kitchens by Homebase will be supported by specially trained team members, on hand to turn design ideas into a reality with technology including 3D visualisation software. For those designing a kitchen, the Country Living and House Beautiful collections are being showcased, along with a range of appliance brands including Bosch, Neff and Miele.
The Decorate by Homebase store offers paints from brands such as Dulux, Farrow & Ball, Crown and Craig & Rose. It also features areas in-store to allow customers to work with the Homebase team to trial different colours next to one another, as well as map out what their rooms might look like with furniture and home accessories from Homebase. Over the coming months, the company says these spaces will also be used for workshops and events with experts.
Damian McGloughlin, CEO of Homebase, said: “We understand the importance of customer experience both in-store and online and we’re really excited to be bringing our inspiration, style and advice to the high street. We’re listening to the local community to make sure we can provide them with the products they’re looking for to complete any home or garden improvement project.”
Homebase also has three other small-format stores with Decorate by Homebase stores in Cheadle and Sutton and another dual-branded Kitchens by Homebase and Bathstore in nearby Guildford.
