B&Q to extend Homebase reach in Ireland with the buy-up of more stores

B&Q is adding the stores to its existing range of eight, in a move intended to increase home improvement offerings for its customers.

Home improvement giant B&Q Ireland is to buy three leasehold Homebase stores in Ireland for £3.2m (€3.86m). The stores will subsequently be converted to the B&Q banner, from Homebase, with the first one expected to be changed in the first half of 2025, and the rest, by the end of next year.

The three stores will be located in Navan, Letterkenny and Waterford, and are expected to have a combined overall selling space of 9,300 square metres. They new will add to B&Q’s existing range of eight stores in Ireland.

The new additions are expected to go a long way towards providing clients with a better range of TradePoint and B&Q’s range of home improvement offerings.

Some of the main products on offer will be bathroom and kitchen installations and design, paint mixing and timber cutting. Home and bulk delivery services on the company’s website will also be offered, along with click and collect options.

The stores will also have Kingfisher own exclusive brands. Kingfisher currently owns B&Q, as well as other brands such as Titan, Mac Allister, Cooke & Lewis, GoodHome, Myko and Klikstrom.

The transactions for these three new stores is likely to be wrapped up in the first quarter of the financial year 2025/26, with the stores’ agreement still being subject to customary and landlord regulatory approvals.

The employees of all three Homebase stores will also become B&Q employees, after a consultation period.

Graham Bell, the chief executive officer (CEO) of B&Q, said on the company website: “We’re delighted to be adding these three 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.”