HOMEBASE will be closing in the summer, ahead of The Range moving onto the Hylton Road site.

Yesterday morning signs and banners announcing the store was shutting went up to inform customers and a spokesman for the DIY firm has now confirmed the store is preparing for the closure, which is set to happen between August 19 and 29 - as August 30 is the date Homebase has to have left the site by.

The Worcester News reported in February that The Range was being allowed to move into the building after Worcester City Council's planning committee voted in favour of scrapping a rule that had meant the DIY chain could be the sole operator of the building.

The Homebase spokesman said: "The store will be closing in the week commencing August 19 or August 26.

"Every effort will be made to move to redeploy staff to other stores."

Richard Udall, St John's city councillor, wrote: "St John’s Homebase to close in August, no support for their loyal staff from their employers.

"Many could be losing their jobs, a disgusting way to treat employees."

Notices have also gone up informing customers the store was no longer participating in other national Homebase promotions, and the branch was offering clearance discounts "that are unique to this store".

A manager at the store yesterday gave no comment when asked about the situation.

Planning permission was originally granted to Homebase by the council in 1986 with the firm condition meaning home and garden retail chain, The Range, had to apply to change the use of the building to allow a greater variety of goods to be sold.

In August last year Homebase announced that it would close 42 stores, and that a further 70 shops were "under review".