Sainsbury's plan for two new NI stores in Homebase deal

Sainsbury’s says it will buy ten Homebase stores across the UK and convert them into supermarkets.

Supermarket giant Sainsbury's has announced plans to open two new stores in Northern Ireland.

It’s part of a deal that will see Sainsbury’s buy ten Homebase stores across the UK and convert them into supermarkets.

The Homebase Stores in Londonderry and Omagh are among those Sainsbury’s plans to acquire and convert.

The supermarket group said it expected to complete the deal next month with the first of the new UK stores to open in the summer of 2025.

'Build on momentum'

Sainsbury’s said the Homebase plan will cost around £130 million and create around 1,000 jobs across the UK.

It said the new stores cover “key target locations” for its expansion.

The group have seen consistent growth and wants to “build on this momentum," Sainsbury’s chief executive Simon Roberts said.

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