Homebase’s UK tax rebate delay revealed as 74 stores go up for sale
Troubled DIY and garden chain Homebase was waiting on around £5 million (€6 million) of tax rebates from UK authorities before collapsing into administration last week.
It comes as the stricken firm has set a deadline of the end of next week for potential buyers to snap up its remaining shops in Ireland and the UK.
Homebase appointed administrators at consultancy Teneo after it was hit hard by an “incredibly challenging” three years for the DIY sector.
Administrators struck a deal to sell the business to retail group CDS, which owns The Range and Wilko, securing the future of up to 1,600 jobs and 70 stores.
However, the future of 2,000 other workers and its remaining stores was left hanging in the balance.
Administrators have now placed 74 leasehold Homebase stores on the market.
They have set a deadline of November 29th for potential suitors to buy the remaining stores, amid efforts to secure more funds for creditors.
Homebase’s collapse came amid reports that banking giant Wells Fargo declined to extend the group’s lending facility due to concerns about its finances.
The PA news agency has found that these concerns came as the retailer waited for about £5 million to be remitted back to it in tax rebates.
Commercial real estate adviser Altus Group, which represented the chain, said more than 50 challenges and appeals against the retailer’s property tax liabilities were outstanding at the time of its collapse.
The company was seeking reductions in the overall rateable value of its store portfolio following a 2023 revaluation of its annual business rates bill.
Altus said that had these been dealt with before the retailer’s collapse, it would have resulted in tax rebates.
Alex Probyn, president of property tax at Altus Group, said: “The appeal process is just far too slow and ultimately damaging to cash flow.
“With business now facing the biggest tax increases in three decades, the 2023 tax base must be corrected quickly to ensure that ratepayers not only receive their rebates timely but also have the confidence that their bills have been set fairly.”
Homebase and Teneo have been contacted for comment.
Locations of the Irish properties placed on the market are: Letterkenny, Co Donegal; Navan Retail Park, Co Meath; Waterford city; Junction One Retail Park, Antrim; Shane Park, Belfast; Rushmore Retail Park, Craigavon; and Drumkeen Complex, Belfast.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie