The Range opens a new store in Bicester in a former Homebase, creating a shopping mix of home and garden items.
The store is in the old Homebase spot at Launton Road. CDS Superstores bought Homebase and many stores. The new store includes “Garden Centre by Homebase”, selling plants, tools, compost, and pots.
Customers explored the new store and entered prize giveaways during opening day. Someone won a drill worth £120, while another person won a slush puppy party set. The first fifty customers got goodie bags with popular Range products inside.
Alex Simpkin runs The Range and other stores. He is happy about the new Bicester store. The Homebase garden center expands shopping choices, allowing you to find both home goods and garden items.
Simpkin said the team is ready to help Bicester. The Range plans to open more stores soon. A new store is coming to Cowley on February 28, also in a former Homebase location.
The Homebase stores changed to The Range in Oxford and Bicester. But the Abingdon Homebase store will close. Staff felt sad when Abingdon Homebase was closing.
CDS rescued jobs and stores through a deal. However, the future is uncertain for other employees and stores. The Abingdon store is closing with “store closing” signs, showing the company faces administration challenges. This large Homebase opened in 2021 with other stores.