SHOPWORKERS who thought their jobs had been secured were shocked to be told on Saturday (January 12) that their store will be closing in April.

Staff at Homebase in Chepstow were relieved last August when they weren’t included on a company hit-list of 42 stores, but their hopes appear to have been dashed.

But there could be better news over a long vacant town centre superstore in Lydney, after Forest planners received an application for new signage on behalf of national bargain chain B&M.

In a terse response to the Review’s request for information about any job losses at Homebase’s Chepstow store, a company spokeswoman said: “I can confirm that the store will be closing and all staff have been informed.”

It would appear that despite 42 stores already being nominated for closure “to cut costs”, further discussions with the landlord of the Thornwell store have resulted in the decision to add the Chepstow outlet to those which are already shutting.

Some 1,500 jobs have already been reportedly axed nationwide at the DIY chain, which saw a dramatic decline in fortunes after being bought for £340m by Australian firm Wesfarmers in 2016.

Last year it was sold for just £1 to restructuring specialist Hilco, who moved to cut costs in the summer.

As regards the vacant Lydney superstore, a B&M spokesperson said they were unable to confirm that they were opening a new store there, although “discussions regarding new sites are always happening.”

But the Review can reveal that Forest planners have recived an application from Liverpool-based B&M Retail for signage at the former Nisa brand store in Hams Road beside the bus station.

The application includes a photo of the current store, which was formerly occupied by Tuffins, with the B&M signage superimposed.

The boarded up premises have been empty since the closure of the Nisa store in April 2017, which saw the loss of 45 jobs, and have become something of an eyesore.

If B&M were to open in Lydney, it could provide a jobs and trade boost to the town centre, with Lydney mayor Cllr Bob Berryman calling the news of the application “a good sign for the town”.

The closure came 21 months ago after the County Stores-owned Nisa-brand outlet went into administration, with the loss of a further 23 jobs at its Coleford store.

Variety store B&M currently has around 600 stores nationwide and employs 28,000 staff.