Homebase looks set to head into administration, with the garden chain appointing insolvency practitioners, which could mean jobs and 130 UK stores are at risk.

The troubled chain is preparing to line up Teneo to handle an insolvency process after it announced an £84.2m loss last year.

Hilco Capital, which bought the retailer for £1 in 2018, looked at cost-cutting measures earlier this year, which it blamed on customers being more cautious in their spending habits.

If the beloved DIY chain collapses, it will be another major blow to the British high street, following the downfalls of The Body Shop and Wilko.

Many will be left to fear their local Homebase could close – having relied on the stores since they opened in 1981.

Below is a full list of the 130 Homebase stores currently operating in the UK and Ireland – and therefore now at risk of closure.

Many will be left to fear that their local home base could close – having relied on the stores since they opened in 1981.

Homebase looks set to head into administration, with the garden chain appointing insolvency practitioners, which could mean jobs and 130 stores are at risk. File photo

In August, Sainsbury’s agreed to buy all 10 Homebase stores and convert them into supermarkets, in a deal expected to create around 1,000 new jobs.

The sites set for the conversion are located in Sutton Coldfield, Bromsgrove, Cromer, Derry/Londonderry, Fareham, Inverurie, Lowestoft, Newark, Omagh and Rugby.

Damian McGloughlin, managing director of Homebase, told suppliers in August that it would begin an “active sale process” to seek new investment.

The chain is in talks with The Range and B&M, but no sales have taken place.

According to Sky News, The Range is considering buying 75 stores as part of a process where a company sells its assets before administration, in a move that could save 1,500 jobs.

Simon Roberts, chief executive of Sainsbury’s, said: “Sainsbury’s grocery business continues to go from strength to strength as we move forward with our Next Level Sainsbury’s plan.

“We have the best combination of value and quality in the market and this is winning us customers from all our key competitors and driving steady growth in volume market share.

The chain is in talks with The Range and B&M, but no sales have taken place. Pictured: Poole home base

Homebase currently operates around 144 locations across the UK, with its first store opening in Croydon in April 1981. Image: Homebase in Winchester

Damian McGloughlin, managing director of Homebase, told suppliers in August that it would begin an “active sale process” to seek new investment

A map showing the 10 locations set for conversion to Sainsbury’s

Sainsbury’s (stock image) has agreed to buy all 10 Homebase stores and convert them into supermarkets in a deal expected to create around 1,000 new jobs

“We want to build on this momentum, which is why we are increasing our supermarket footprint.

“Our ambition is to be customers’ first choice for food and these new stores will bring some of the best that Sainsbury’s supermarkets have to offer to even more communities across the country.”

The move follows reports that Homebase owner Hilco Capital is preparing to sell the company after being approached by The Range.

Hilco Capital acquired Homebase from Wesfarmers in 2018 for £1. It has closed Homebase has closed 106 stores since it was taken over by the company.

Homebase currently operates around 144 locations in the UK, with its first store opening in Croydon in April 1981.