Discount giant Home Bargains is getting ready to open its new bigger store in Irvine.

The confirmation of the move comes after the Times reported their plans in July of 2019.

It is understood the new shop will open next month and its store size is set to triple after it relocates from its current retail park base.

The national chain was granted an alcohol licence yesterday (January 25) to sell booze once it moves into the former Homebase unit in the Riverway Retail Park - but a councillor said it was more of a move from one unit to another.

North Ayrshire Council’s Licensing Board chair Councillor Ronnie McNicol said: “The alcohol licence was approved. It was more of a transfer of a licence from Home Bargains old premises to the new premises.”

The Independent politician added: “Home Bargains are giving up the licence on their old premises. There were no issues.”

Flitting to the former Homebase unit gives Home Bargains 2,924 square metres of space – a huge increase from the 929 square metres it has occupied so far. 
Home Bargains won permission last year at a council planning committee to change trading rules in the former Homebase premises – so it could sell different types of produces.

At the time a statement lodged with the council said the Home Bargains store in Irvine was trading “very well,” which was why it needed a “larger presence in Riverway.”

A garden centre was part of the expansion proposals.