Homebase to close Newtownabbey store

The home improvement store in Longwood Retail Park will shut later this year.

In a statement to this newspaper, a spokesperson for the firm said: “We’ve had to make some difficult but necessary decisions regarding store closures in the last few years, as part of our turnaround plan, to ensure the business is sustainably set up for the future.

“We announced the proposed closure of the Newtownabbey store later this year to the team on Friday, and are working to support everyone impacted by the news.”

Commenting on the announcement, Macedon Councillor Robert Foster said: “The news that Homebase Newtownabbey is to close is a body blow to the loyal staff who work there and the wider community in Newtownabbey. It is further compounded by the global economic downturn during the current Covid-19 pandemic meaning replacement jobs are not as readily available.

“Homebase and it’s predecessor Texas has been a fixture in the borough for over 35 years and I hope that a new business can be found to take over this prime retail site and provide employment in these unprecedented times.”

SDLP Workers’ Rights Spokesperson, Cllr Ryan Wilson added: “My first thoughts are with the staff affected. It has already been a difficult time for business but more importantly workers.

“I hope they will be able to be redeployed to other Homebase stores if feasibly possible.”

The DIY and garden centre firm has eight other branches in Northern Ireland. These are located in Antrim, Bangor, Craigavon, Omagh, Cookstown, Londonderry and two in Belfast.

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