HOMEBASE has confirmed it will close its branch in the Seacourt Retail park, off the Botley Road. 

The closure was announced as part of a raft of shut downs planned by the retailer across the country. 

The Botley Road branch has long been mooted for closure as part of the redevelopment of the retail park.

But the hardware store has been struggling of late and has launched a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) - putting 1,500 jobs at risk.

Two other stores in Horspath Driftway and Banbury are as yet unaffected. 

Homesbase boss Damian McGloughlin said: "Homebase has been one of the most recognisable retail brands for almost 40 years, but the reality is we need to continue to take decisive action to address the under-performance of the business and deal with the burden of our cost base, as well as to protect thousands of jobs."

Customers at the Botley Road branch expressed disappointment at the news. 

Nicoleta Gacia, 50, who lives in Cumnor Hill, said: "I come once a week on average to pick up lots of different bits.

"It is the only place around here to buy things like paint and house plants, I will be very sad to lose it."

Ronald Chesterton, visiting from Woodstock, said he was not surprised to hear the shop was closing. 

He said: "It's been allowed to get very scruffy, I feel like they have fallen behind. 

"But it is a very useful shop and I will be sorry to see it go."