admin

Major retailer to shut popular shop this weekend as 33 to close this month

A MAJOR retailer will shut a popular shop this weekend as 33 stores are set to close this month.

Homebase will close its branch in Sudbury in just a matter of days, according to reports in the Sudbury Mercury.

Homebase store in London.
Getty
Homebase will close its branch in Sudbury in a matter of days[/caption]

The outlet stated that closing down have appeared in the window of the Sudbury Homebase stating that there are only a few days before the store closes down.

One local also said they visited the shop recently and there was
“literally nothing left”.

The Sun has contacted Homebase for comment.

It comes as after Homebase revealed 33 stores would close this month after crashing into administration.

At the time, it marked the Sudbury branch as one of the stores impacted.

Administrators for the retailer Teneo previously confirmed which branches would shut permanently in weeks.

These include:

  • Abington
  • Alnwick
  • Antrim
  • Barnstaple
  • Basildon Vange
  • Belfast
  • Branksome
  • Cannock
  • Chester
  • Chichester Discovery Park
  • Craigavon
  • Daventry
  • Derby Kingsway
  • Folkestone
  • Galwally
  • Gateshead
  • Glenrothes
  • Harlow
  • Herne Bay
  • Hove
  • Inverurie
  • Ledbury
  • Lewes
  • Luton
  • Newcastle Under Lyme
  • Norwich Hall Road
  • Norwich Sprowston
  • Nottingham Arnold
  • Saffron Walden
  • Selly Oak
  • Sleaford
  • Sudbury
  • Waltham Cross

It comes after 13 of the DIY chain’s branches shut for good in January.

Homebase fell into administration in November, with up to 70 of the struggling DIY chain’s branches bought by CDS Superstores, now trading as WilkoThe Range and Homebase.

But that left around 74 branches at risk of closure if no buyers could be found to take them on.

Teneo has confirmed 13 branches closed last month, including in London, Coventry and Bradford.

Now, the 33 shutting this month will take the full list of branches closing to 52, after six shut before the end of 2024.

Of the 74 sites put up for sale by Teneo, Sainsbury’s is expected to buy three more stores, after securing 10 earlier in 2024.

Last month, B&Q agreed to buy five branches. This suggests around four stores out of the list of 74 are at risk of closure still.

What is happening to the stores bought by CDS?

CDS Superstores previously said it would buy up to 70 Homebase shops.

It has also taken on the Homebase brand and relaunched its website with thousands of products up for sale.

It is re-purposing and opening some of the former Homebase stores under its The Range brand.

The new stores will feature products usually found in The Range but some will also contain “Garden Centres by Homebase”.

Others will feature “Kitchens by Homebase” spaces.

The hybrid branches have already started opening with CDS saying it wants to open three a week over the coming months.

The company plans to open at least 50 before the end of April.

CDS has already confirmed nine former Homebase locations out of the up to 70 which have opened.

Stores have opened in Birmingham, Felixstowe and Blyth.

Pictures of one of the new stores in Bournemouth were revealed earlier this month when it opened.

CDS said the move to take on up to 70 Homebase sites would see 1,600 staff keep their jobs.

RETAIL PAIN IN 2025

The British Retail Consortium has predicted that the Treasury's hike to employer NICs will cost the retail sector £2.3billion.

Research by the British Chambers of Commerce shows that more than half of companies plan to raise prices by early April.

A survey of more than 4,800 firms found that 55% expect prices to increase in the next three months, up from 39% in a similar poll conducted in the latter half of 2024.

Three-quarters of companies cited the cost of employing people as their primary financial pressure.

The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has also warned that around 17,350 retail sites are expected to shut down this year.

It comes on the back of a tough 2024 when 13,000 shops closed their doors for good, already a 28% increase on the previous year.

Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the CRR said: “The results for 2024 show that although the outcomes for store closures overall were not as poor as in either 2020 or 2022, they are still disconcerting, with worse set to come in 2025.”

Professor Bamfield has also warned of a bleak outlook for 2025, predicting that as many as 202,000 jobs could be lost in the sector.

“By increasing both the costs of running stores and the costs on each consumer’s household it is highly likely that we will see retail job losses eclipse the height of the pandemic in 2020.”

Read More »

Watch Thierry Henry torment his opponent in Match for Hope to win penalty in cheekiest way

ARSENAL legend Thierry Henry has rolled back the years – at the expense of influencer Tobi Brown.

The Gunners legend, 47, is playing for Team KSI in the 2025 Match for Hope.

https://twitter.com/luxcurv/status/1890455508227666118
Thierry Henry at the Match for Hope.
YouTube / @Chunkz
Thierry Henry was up to his old tricks in the 2025 Match For Hope[/caption]
Thierry Henry skillfully dribbling the ball past an opponent during a soccer match.
YouTube / @Chunkz
The French superstar began doing keepy-ups to trick defender Tobi Brown[/caption]
Thierry Henry kicking the ball past an opponent during a soccer match.
YouTube / @Chunkz
Henry tempted influencer Brown into a rash tackle[/caption]
Thierry Henry playfully taunts an opponent during a soccer match.
YouTube / @Chunkz
The Frenchman immediately appealed for a penalty for handball[/caption]

Henry joined a host of fellow legends for the charity event in Qatar.

And the 47-year-old showed off some of the flair that made him one of the Prem’s best-ever players.

With his side leading 3-2 just before the break, Henry began doing keepy-ups as he took on YouTube star Brown.

Tobi – known as TBJZL – was bamboozled by the Frenchman’s fast feet.

He lunged forward to try and tackle, with his arms flailing about in the process.

Henry waited for Bown to commit and then attempted to cross, with the ball striking Tobi’s arm.

The referee immediately pointed to the penalty spot, with Henry producing a trademark grin for the cameras.

One fan responded: “Thierry Henry with the masterclass! Tobi didn’t stand a chance there!”

BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS

Another said: “Pure filth.”

While a third argued: “i know its a charity game, but how is that a pen?”

Earlier in the contest, Team KSI went behind after a bizarre head-loss from their captain.

KSI put through his own goal under no pressure from the opposition, crumpling to his knees in embarrassment.

Fans were quick to brand his effort the “worst own goal ever.”

The Match for Hope aims to raise money for an estimated 70,000 schoolchildren in countries around the world.

It sees teams of both influencers and ex-pros go head-to-head, with Henry, Alexander Del Piero and David Silva all involved this year.

Last year’s edition raised more than £7million for charity.

Read More »

Team GB legend and former Strictly star Roger Black undergoes open heart surgery on condition he’s had for 47 YEARS

FORMER Olympian Roger Black has undergone open heart surgery on a condition he has lived with for 47 years.

The Team GB legend is a two-time 4x400m relay world champion and he won two silver medals at the 1996 Atlanta Games.

Man in hospital gown giving thumbs up.
Instagram
Roger Black has undergone open heart surgery[/caption]
Roger Black of Great Britain accepting his silver medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
The Team GB icon won two silver medals at the Olympics in 1996
Times Newspapers Ltd

Black, 58, battled a congenital heart condition throughout his glittering career.

But the athlete underwent surgery last month after his health took a turn for the worse.

Black said on Instagram: “Three weeks ago I had open heart surgery to replace my aortic valve and repair my aortic root.

“My ‘incompetent’ bicuspid aortic valve was discovered when I was 11-years-old and for the last 47 years I have been looked after by the cardiac team at Southampton General Hospital.

“At my annual check-up last summer it was clear that things had deteriorated despite me having no obvious symptoms.

‘It was a shock but deep down I knew this day would come even though I never allowed my heart disease to define me and prevent me from pursuing my athletic career.

“Thank you to Mr Tsang and all the medical team in Southampton who cared for me during what was a tough time in hospital. I am forever grateful.

“Most of all thank you to my wife Jules who was there when I woke up in intensive care 11 hours after surgery and has cared for me every day in recovery.

“Each day has been about small steps – yesterday was a big milestone as we walked to the top of St Martha’s Hill… our special place.”

After retiring from athletics, Black worked as a pundit for the BBC as well as appearing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2004, where he partnered pro Camilla Dallerup.

The former runner also reached the Masterchef final in 2006, losing to rugby hero Matt Dawson.

Black is a father of three, having twin boys George and Max with wife Julia Burgess.

He also has a daughter Isabelle from his previous marriage to Elsa Devassoigne.

When Black was diagnosed with congenital heart disease aged 11, he was initially banned from playing sport.

He eventually got back into playing rugby before switching to athletics aged 18.

Black’s health has worsened in recent years and he no longer exercises intensely due to his condition.

Read More »

Taylor Swift takes another record off Madonna after latest live album storms to top of the charts

TAYLOR Swift has overtaken Madonna to become the female artist with most UK No 1 albums in history.

The superstar singer, 35, has landed her 13th number one album thanks to the re-release of her 2019 record Lover (Live From Paris) on vinyl.

Taylor Swift performing on stage.
Taylor Swift has overtaken Madonna to become the female artist with most UK No 1 albums in history
Getty
Madonna performing on stage during her Blonde Ambition tour.
Madonna’s most recent number one album came in 2012, the 12th of her career
Getty

In comparison, Madonna, 66, has had 12 UK chart topping albums — her most recent being 2012’s MDNA.

Taylor is now equal with Elvis Presley who also has 13 UK No 1 albums to his name.

Only Robbie Williams and The Beatles are ahead of her with 15 UK chart-topping albums.

Taylor’s latest No 1 album is a live recording of her one-off gig at Olympia in the French capital in 2019.

She released special edition vinyls of the record to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

Lover (Live From Paris) now has the UK’s biggest first-week sales for a live album in more than ten years.

Prior to that George Michael held the title with Symphonica, released in March 2014.

Lover (Live From Paris) has also claimed the biggest total weekly sales for a live vinyl album this century.

Seemingly competing with herself, Lover (Live From Paris) is the first album to go to number one only on pure sales since Taylor’s sixth album Reputation, released in November 2017.

The Sun’s Bizarre was at Taylor’s Paris gig in 2019.

We called it “confirmation of her status as the consummate modern pop superstar”.

As well as working on her 12th studio album, Taylor is also lining up re-recordings of Reputation and her self-titled debut from 2006.

With so many records in the works, Taylor could end 2025 as the artist with the most UK No 1 albums of all time.

Taylor Swift performing live in Paris; album cover for *Lover: Live from Paris*.
Lover (Live From Paris) now has the UK’s biggest first-week sales for a live album in more than ten years

Read More »

Netflix’s Bafta afterparty thrown into chaos as fire breaks out at luxury venue popular with A-list stars

Selena Gomez and a building fire.

NETFLIX’s annual Bafta afterparty has been thrown into chaos after a fire broke out at the luxury hotel they have hired out.

After months of preparations and tens of thousands of pounds spent, the A-list bash at Chiltern Firehouse in Central London, now hangs in the balance.

Firefighters battling a blaze at a brick building.
UKNIP
A blaze at The Chiltern Firehouse has seemingly thrown Netflix’ BAFTA party into chaos[/caption]
Selena Gomez at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
Splash
BAFTA nominee Selena Gomez is one of the star guests who is thought to be staying in the hotel[/caption]

Guests of Netflix, including American A listers including Selena Gomez, 32, and Zoe Saldana, 46, are thought to have been staying at the hotel.

Wallace and Gromit creator Nick Park, CBE, is also understood to be due to check into the venue ahead of Sunday’s ceremony.

A source said: “This is the ultimate nightmare for Netflix and organisers.

“Every year they spent tens of thousands of pounds to put on the biggest and best BAFTA afterparty around.

“Right now everything hangs in the balance while they get the blaze under control and assess the damage.”

Preparations were well underway to host Hollywood royalty at Chiltern Firehouse on Sunday night at the venue – with some of their film talent also staying at the hotel.

The guest list is thought to be in the hundreds with guests of previous years including Ellie Goulding, Paul Mescal and Andrew Scott.

On Friday a fire broke out at the historic Chiltern Firehouse hotel and restaurant in London’s Marylebone.

The fire was so great it spread from the ground floor all the way up to the roof and over 100 guests were evacuated.

It said in a statement, the London Fire brigade said: “Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters have been called to a fire at a hotel and restaurant on Chiltern Street in Marylebone.

“The ducting in the extraction system from the ground floor to the roof of the building is alight.

“Around 100 people were evacuated before the Brigade arrived.”

They added: “The Brigade was called at 14:52.

“Fire crews from Soho, Euston and Paddington fire stations are at the scene.

“The cause of the fire is not known at this time.”

The Sun has approached representatives of Netflix and The Chiltern Firehouse for comment.

Firefighters battling a blaze at a building.
UKNIP
Over 100 guests were evacuated after the fire spread to the roof[/caption]
Fire damage to the roof of a brick building.
THE SUN
The cause of the fire is not yet known[/caption]
Firefighters battling a blaze at a building.
UKNIP
Crews from three London stations rushed to try and out out the blaze[/caption]
Firefighters battling a large fire at a building at night.
UKNIP
A source said this was a ‘nightmare’ for Netflix and the organisers[/caption]

Read More »

Liam Delap responds to Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal transfer links

EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Joe Toth/Shutterstock (15125619ch) Liam Delap of Ipswich Town Ipswich Town v Southampton, Premier League, Football, Portman Road, Ipswich, UK - 01 Feb 2025
Liam Delap has been linked with Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal (Shutterstock)

Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap insists he is not distracted after being linked with moves to Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.

The 22-year-old has impressed for Ipswich this season, scoring nine goals in 23 Premier League appearances so far.

Delap, who is the son of former Stoke City, Southampton and Republic of Ireland midfielder Rory Delap, made his professional debut for Manchester City in 2020 before he was sold to Ipswich four years later in a £20 million deal.

Both United and Chelsea have been keeping tabs on Delap’s progress this season, while Arsenal have also been urged to make a move for the striker.

However, Delap is adamant that he will not allow transfer speculation to play on his mind as he is looking to help Ipswich avoid relegation this season.

‘It’s engrained in us as footballers,’ Delap told the East Anglian Daily Times.

Brentford FC v Ipswich Town FC - Premier League
Liam Delap has scored nine Premier League goals this season (Getty)

‘It’s so important, especially for me, to focus on where I’m at now.

‘I’m so happy here, I’m enjoying it so much here. I just look forward to playing football. I take every game as it comes and focus on the next.

‘It is something that I try and stay away from. People around me have told me to stay away from it, it’s something that I’m very good at in focusing on what I want to do. That’s playing football here.

‘I’m really enjoying my time here and I enjoy playing every week. That’s the most important thing.

‘We know, as players and people, that there is noise. If we have a bad game and people are slating us for not performing or getting the right results, we stay focused on ourselves and what we have to achieve.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on FacebookTwitter and Instagram.

Read More »