The Homebase store in Dover has officially announced plans to close. The premises in Honeywood Parkway, Whitfield will cease trading in five weeks' time and there are no plans for a Bunnings Warehouse to replace it.

Homebase has been bought out by the Australian DIY firm who opened its first Kent store in Folkestone last month. 

Bunnings is phasing out its old Homebase brand and it was thought that this was the reason behind its plans to shut up shop in Dover but this has not been confirmed.

"We can confirm that our store on Dover Business Park in Whitfield is set to close on Saturday, October 7,” said a Homebase spokesperson. "Team members at the store have been informed and we are working to support them as much as possible."

It is not yet clear whether or not there will be redundancies and whether or not the staff will be offered new positions at other Kent stores.