Homebase stores across Norfolk are at risk of closure which could lead to hundreds of job losses. 

The DIY store chain  - which has 130 branches including in Norwich, Dereham, Sprowston and Cromer - reported losses of £84.2 million last year.

As part of a rescue deal, Sainsbury's bought 11 stores including Cromer and shared plans to turn them into supermarkets.

On Wednesday, Homebase appointed administrators and 70 more stores were sold to the retail group CDS, which owns The Range.

In total, these sales have secured up to 1,600 jobs and 70 stores - but the future for 2,000 workers and 49 shops is still unclear.

Chris Dawson, The Range's owner, told The Telegraph he was "delighted to be able to save so many stores and jobs" and looks forward to "adding the Homebase brand and subsidiaries to the expanding Range group of companies".

Damian McGloughlin, CEO of Homebase, explained: "It has been an incredibly challenging three years for the home and garden improvement market. A decline in consumer confidence and spending following the pandemic has been exacerbated by the impact of persistent high inflation, global supply chain issues and unseasonable weather.

"Against this backdrop, we have taken many and wide-ranging actions to improve trading performance including restructuring the business and seeking fresh investment. These efforts have not been successful and today we have made the difficult decision to appoint administrators."

He added the 49 remaining stores will continue to trade as normal while conversations with potential buyers continue.

It is unclear which stores will remain Homebase branded after the deal and the locations of the 49 stores at risk still haven't been disclosed.

The administrators said all employee wages and benefits will be paid for their period of employment and customer orders will be fulfilled as far as possible.