The Range St Helens: Store Guide, Hours & Departments

If you’ve been wondering what’s inside the large store at Chalon Way West in St Helens — or what chain occupied it before — you are looking at a rare double identity: a former Homebase now running as The Range. The building has changed hands more than a few local shoppers realize, and the product mix inside has shifted quite a bit since the Homebase days.

Address: 170 Chalon Way (West), St Helens, Merseyside WA10 1BF · Telephone: 01744 736762 · Store Type: Department Store · Services: Click & Collect · Products: Furniture, Bedding, Curtains, Crafts, DIY, Garden

The table below consolidates the key details local shoppers need when planning a visit or ordering online.

What was the shop called before The Range?

The building at 170 Chalon Way West operated as Homebase before its conversion. CDS Superstores — the parent company of The Range — acquired Homebase out of administration in 2024, bringing the struggling DIY and garden chain under the same corporate umbrella that runs more than 200 The Range stores across the UK (Retail Week). This was not a gradual takeover but a direct acquisition that affected how the store operates today.

Previous ownership details

Homebase had been struggling for years before the 2024 administration process. The chain once operated hundreds of standalone stores, but declining sales and lease pressures forced closures up and down the country. When CDS Superstores stepped in, it did not simply rebrand everything overnight — instead, the strategy focused on integrating Homebase sections (particularly Garden Centres) inside existing The Range stores. This means some departments still carry Homebase branding, while the broader product range falls under The Range’s umbrella.

“Homebase customers will also be able to click-and-collect purchases made on the store at over 200 The Range and Wilko store collection points.”

— Retail Week, reporting on the CDS Superstores acquisition

Is Homebase becoming The Range?

The short answer is: partly. The acquisition by CDS Superstores means Homebase as a standalone brand has been folded into The Range’s operations, but not entirely erased. Homebase.co.uk was relaunched as an ecommerce platform, and garden centre sections inside The Range stores still carry Homebase identity in many locations.

Conversion updates

The relaunched Homebase website now features over 10,000 items across decorating, DIY, and gardening categories — a significant expansion from the pre-administration offering (Retail Week). The physical store experience varies by location: some The Range stores host dedicated Homebase Garden Centre zones with their own entrance and branding, while others have merged the product lines more seamlessly.

New name for Homebase

There is no formal rebrand announcement calling Homebase “The Range” — instead, the two brands coexist with shared infrastructure. The Range provides the building and core retail operations, while Homebase contributes garden centre expertise and the online platform. For St Helens specifically, local shoppers will notice The Range signage on the exterior, with Homebase influence visible primarily in the outdoor and plant sections.

“The new homebase.co.uk features an enhanced browsing experience, improved functionality for customers and online-only offers.”

— Retail Week, citing CDS Superstores

What departments are in The Range St Helens?

The Range stores operate on a department-store model, meaning a single visit can cover everything from sofa cushions to sandpaper to succulent plants. The St Helens location follows this pattern, with distinct zones for different product categories. Based on The Range’s standard format and the Homebase integration, here is what you are likely to find on the shop floor.

Furniture and home

The furniture section typically occupies prime floor space near the entrance. You will find sofas, armchairs, dining sets, and bedroom furniture — most of it in the mid-range price bracket that The Range has staked out against competitors. Bedding, curtains, and soft furnishings sit nearby, making it easy to kit out a room in one trip. The Range has expanded its furniture range significantly in recent years, aiming to compete with Argos and Amazon for value-conscious buyers.

Garden and DIY

This is where the Homebase heritage shows most clearly. The garden department at The Range St Helens includes plants, planters, garden tools, BBQs, and outdoor furniture — much of it organized in a dedicated outdoor zone. The DIY section covers the basics: screws, nails, paint, brushes, tape, and power tool accessories. If you are after a specific branded item (Farrow & Ball paint, Makita drills), it pays to call ahead and check stock.

Crafts and pets

The Range has invested heavily in its arts, crafts, and hobbies sections, which often include knitting supplies, model kits, card-making materials, and fabric by the metre. The pet section has grown in recent years too, covering food, beds, toys, and accessories for dogs, cats, and smaller animals. These sections tend to rotate seasonally, with Valentine’s Day crafts in February and Christmas decorations appearing surprisingly early each autumn.

Can you order online items in store at The Range?

Yes, with caveats. The Range offers Click & Collect, which means you can order online and pick up in store, but the process works through The Range’s own systems rather than Homebase’s. If you are ordering from The Range website, you can select St Helens as a collection point during checkout.

Click & Collect process

The Click & Collect service at The Range allows you to shop online at therange.co.uk, choose the St Helens store as your pickup location, and collect when you receive confirmation that your order is ready. Typical collection windows range from same-day to 3-5 working days depending on stock location and store volume. The collection desk is usually near the entrance — look for the dedicated Click & Collect counter or ask a staff member on the shop floor.

For Homebase orders specifically, the network is broader: Homebase customers can click-and-collect purchases at over 200 The Range and Wilko store collection points nationwide (Retail Week). This means if you are ordering from homebase.co.uk, your St Helens pickup options may include The Range and nearby Wilko locations. Check homebase.co.uk’s store locator to confirm which locations serve as Homebase collection points.

The Range St Helens opening times

Unlike a decade-old directory listing, this article will not give you fixed opening hours that might be wrong by the time you read it. The Range updates store hours regularly, especially around bank holidays and seasonal periods, and the St Helens location does not have a standalone page that is frequently crawled. Rather than risk sending you to a closed store, here is how to check before you go.

Weekday hours

Most The Range stores open between 9:00 and 10:00 on weekdays. The Aintree Homebase Garden Centre — a comparable location operating inside The Range — lists opening times starting at 09:00, with variations for late-night shopping on Thursdays or Fridays at larger stores. The St Helens store likely follows a similar pattern, but the only way to know for sure is to check The Range store finder directly before your trip.

Weekend hours

Saturday hours typically mirror weekday trading: open by 9:00 or 10:00, close between 18:00 and 20:00. Sunday hours are shorter across nearly all The Range locations — most open around 10:00 or 11:00 and close by 16:00 or 17:00. Bank holidays see reduced hours or occasional closures, so a quick call to the store on 01744 736762 before a holiday weekend trip is always worthwhile.

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The Range St Helens in Hardshaw Retail Park stocks home, garden and DIY goods for Merseyside shoppers, as outlined in this comprehensive parking and hours guide.

Frequently asked questions

For local shoppers in St Helens, the takeaway is straightforward: you now have access to a broader product range under one roof than the Homebase days offered, with the added convenience of Click & Collect through The Range. The caveat is that the transition from Homebase to The Range is not complete everywhere, and the systems supporting online orders and in-store collection still have some overlap to navigate. Check before you go, and verify your collection point if ordering online — a two-minute phone call saves a wasted journey.