Browne Jacobson advises retail giant The Range on its acquisition of Homebase

Top 50 law firm Browne Jacobson has advised the company behind The Range and wilko retailers on its acquisition of the Homebase brand name, intellectual property, and up to 70 UK stores.

The acquisition by CDS Superstores is expected to save up to 1,600 jobs amid Homebase falling into administration.

Homebase’s brand will continue as a digital retail outlet, with the firm’s shops becoming The Range outlets over the coming months. These stores will combine the current offering of The Range with an expanded selection across garden, showroom and DIY categories – retaining the expertise and heritage of the Homebase brand. CDS Superstores will continue to invest in the brand, with many initiatives in the pipeline.

This acquisition follows CDS Superstores’ purchase of the wilko brand one year ago and will enable CDS to reach new customers and communities.

The Browne Jacobson team included restructuring and insolvency partner Emma Taylor, corporate partner Nigel Blackwell and real estate partners Rebecca Toates and Sarah Parkinson, alongside senior associate Anna Clifford and consultant Paul Taylor.

Emma Taylor, Partner at Browne Jacobson, said:

"Browne Jacobson is thrilled to have advised The Range on their landmark acquisition, which will expand their home and garden offering across the UK while saving thousands of jobs. This complex transaction showcases our firm's deep expertise across Restructuring and Insolvency, Corporate, Intellectual Property and Real Estate - enabling us to support ambitious market leaders like The Range in their strategic ventures."

Alex Simpkin, Group CEO for CDS Superstores, said:

“We’ve stepped in following the sad demise of the much-loved Homebase brand which has had a long and previously successful history of helping UK households with their DIY projects and gardening needs, for over 45-years. We’re expecting to secure up to 1,600 jobs, with Homebase team members joining the CDS family as part of the 70 store acquisitions. As one of the UK’s fastest growing retailers, CDS continues to seek opportunities to expand its growing portfolio and omni-channel offer.”

Recent transactions which the firm has advised on include the sale of coffee roaster chain 200 Degrees to the Caffè Nero Group, and the sale of indoor climbing operator The Climbing Hangar to Belgium-based investment firm Verlinvest.