Retail giant Home Bargains is planning to open a new store at the site of the former Homebase store in Newcastle-under-Lyme. 

TJ Morris, which owns the Home Bargains brand, says it is "looking to improve the customer offer in Newcastle-under-Lyme" and is planning to invest £3 million to bring the retail unit back into use. 

There are hopes the proposed store, off Lyme Valley Road in Newcastle, will "generate 100 full and part-time job opportunities" when open.

Homebase in Newcastle closed its doors in February this year, along with other stores across the country, after the brand was bought in 2024 by the owner of The Range and Wilko, CDS Superstores. 

The cover letter submitted as part of the planning application said: "The enclosed application looks to bring forward modest refurbishment works to enable the retail unit to be re-occupied by the national variety discounter, Home Bargains.

"The proposed HB store, when open, would generate more than 100no. full and part time job opportunities. Most of these job opportunities will be available to local people.

"The proposed works will allow the building to be refurbished to a high standard. The Site presents an excellent opportunity for HB to improve their existing retail offering which better aligns with their modern trading format."

TJ Morris already operates a Home Bargains store in Newcastle town centre on Castle Walk, approximately 590 meters from the proposed site, but the applicant says the proposals will "improve the retail choice and competition currently represented in the local area". 

There are seven more Home Bargains stores currently operating across Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle borough. 

The application added: "The considered refurbishment works proposed will bring the Site in line with the requirements of the incoming discount retailer and bring a prominent retail unit back into beneficial use. 

"No increase in overall retail floorspace is proposed and the application raises no matters of principle of retail development in this location. 

"However, the proposals are significant in terms of the benefits that will be derived should permission be granted. 

"These include the improvement of a prominent retail location, securing the long-term occupation of existing vacant floorspace and the creation of up to 100no. jobs."

The plans, which can be read here, are subject to approval by Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council.

-------

READ: New SEN building proposed for primary school in Stoke-on-Trent

Free from clickbait, pop-up ads and unwanted surveys, Stoke Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our city.

Subscribe to our FREE weekly newsletter email HERE - just click the 'SIGN UP' button.

Please consider following Stoke Nub News on Facebook or X.