Four former Homebase stores are to be transformed into Wickes following the retailer's collapse into administration late last year.

The blamed a decline in consumer confidence and spending after and the for its losses, describing the last three years as "incredibly challenging" for DIY stores.

Homebase later struck a deal with retail group CDS - which owns The Range - for the sale of up to 70 stores, helping to secure around 1,600 jobs, while B&Q also agreed to take control of five branches.

Now retailer Wickes has announced it has acquired the leases of four former Homebase stores as part of its ongoing store opening and refit programme.

The four stores are due to reopen later this year under the Wickes brand, serving catchment areas that don't currently benefit from a store.

The firm said the stores will be refitted and modernised in line with the new Wickes format, which it says is proven to resonate with customers and deliver a strong return on capital employed.

David Wood, Chief Executive of Wickes, said: "We are delighted to be acquiring these former Homebase stores and welcoming all colleagues currently working there into the Wickes family.

"The acquisition of these four stores is a further boost to our ambitious store opening programme as we look to grow the Wickes brand, helping even more customers with their home improvement projects so they can feel house proud."

The four Homebase stores that will be transformed into Wickes shops later this year are based in the following locations:

• Dunfermline

• Bury St Edmunds

• Leeds Moor Allerton

• Northampton

The Dunfermline, Bury St Edmunds and Leeds Moor Allerton stores will cease trading as Homebase stores on March 3, 2025 and all 55 employees will remain in their jobs as Wickes employees.

Wickes exchanged an agreement to take the lease on the Homebase store in Northampton in July 2024, prior to the administration. The store is currently closed for redevelopment.