Homebase

Homebase is a DIY store and garden centre, with almost 300 stores across the United Kingdom. Its first store was in Croydon, opening on the Purley Way in 1981.

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Homebase was founded by J Sainsbury plc in 1979 as Sainsbury's Homebase. Homebase was tripled in size in 1995 with the acquisition of Texas Homecare. These stores were rebranded and redesigned to the Homebase format.

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Sainsbury sold the Homebase chain in December 2000 in a two-fold deal worth ?969 million. Sales of the chain of stores to venture capitalist Schroder Ventures generated ?750 million and sale of 28 development sites, which had been earmarked for future Homebase stores, were sold for ?219 million to rival B&Q's parent company, Kingfisher plc. At the time, the chain had 13% of the UK market, behind B&Q and Focus Do It All.

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Some Homebase stores even have a Laura Ashley Home Section.

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Homebase was sold on to GUS plc (formerly Great Universal Stores plc) in November 2002 for ?900 million.

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Croydon: Croydon is a major suburban town and commercial centre situated 9.5 miles (15.3 km) south of Charing Cross and the principal town in the London Borough of Croydon....

Purley Way: Purley Way is a section of the A23 trunk road in Croydon, London and has given its name to the out-of-town shopping area alongside it with a catchment area covering most of South London. It was designed as a bypass for Croydon and was opened in April 1925. In 1932 Purley Way became the first road in...

1981: 1981 is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar....