STROUD Homebase workers are facing the unknown after the company announced plans to close a quarter of its stores today, Thursday.

Employees at the store in Cainscross Road face an uncertain future after Homebase announced a scheme to shut shops as downturn in business struck the chain nationwide.

However when the SNJ asked if the town’s store would be saved Homebase bosses were unable to allay staff fears.

A spokesman for Homebase said: “Home Retail Group has announced a three-year plan for Homebase to revitalise the business for the future.

“Part of the plan will be to right-size the store estate through scheduled lease expiries and a series of sales to other retailers.

“Once they are identified, our colleagues will be the first to be informed about any of the affected stores, and where possible we will redeploy colleagues to other stores within the Group, or encourage retailers buying our leases to offer roles within their businesses locally.

“These changes are necessary to make Homebase a stronger business for the future.

“We are unable to comment on individual stores at this time.”

Dave Gill, national officer for retail workers’ union Usdaw said: “This news will be very worrying for our members in Homebase and we have made contact with the company to gain further information on which stores they are considering for closure and how many jobs are under threat.

“We stand ready to help and advise our members through this process.

“We are looking for the parent company, Home Retail Group, to provide opportunities for affected Homebase staff to be redeployed within the group or transferred to new owners of their sites.

“Any Usdaw member affected by this situation should contact us as soon as possible.”