Three retail giants could be set to expand in Oban after eyeing more than 20 Homebase stores left in limbo by its collapse into administration.
Marks & Spencer Group PLC, Home Bargains and Kingfisher PLC are among the firms believed to be considering possible takeovers of stores previously operated by the hardware giant.
High street retailer M&S and B&Q owner Kingfisher are said to be preparing offers for between 20 and 25 sites previously owned by DIY and garden retailer HHGL Ltd, trading under the Homebase brand, which collapsed amid reports that bank Wells Fargo & Co had declined an extension to its lending facility due to concerns about its finances.
It is unclear currently if the Oban store is among these.
The retailer had been waiting for around £5 million to be remitted back to it in tax rebates.
Homebase was bought out by retail group and The Range owner CDS Superstores International Ltd in a deal that secured 1,000 jobs and 70 stores. However, the future of Homebase’s remaining 2,000 employees and 49 shops remain uncertain.
As reported on West Coast Today earlier this week, Homebase’s deadline for offers on its remaining estate - which includes its branch in Oban - is today.
Homeware retailer TJ Morris Ltd, which trades under the Home Bargains brand, is also reportedly in the mix to acquire a small number of sites.
The store on Lochavullin Drive is listed for rent on loopnet.co.uk for £312,500 per year.
Both M&S and Kingfisher declined to comment.
Yes! I would like to be sent emails from West Coast Today
I understand that my personal information will not be shared with any third parties, and will only be used to provide me with useful targeted articles as indicated.
I'm also aware that I can un-subscribe at any point either from each email notification or on My Account screen.