Public relations correspondence and other papers relating to Warwick Road, Kensington Homebase

Subfonds includes material relating to Homebase. Homebase, an innovation in supermarket-style DIY shopping, was founded in 1979 as a jont company 75%:25% with Belgian retailer GB-Inno-BM. The first Homebase store was opened in 1981 at Purley Way in Croydon. The company grew rapidly in 1995 when J Sainsbury plc bought out rival retailers Texas Homecare. 2 December 1996 was known as 'H Day' for Homebase. This marked the completion of the conversion of the first 40 Texas stores to the Homebase format and the remaining Texas stores were rebadged. 'H Day' also marked the launch of Homebase FM, the company's own in-store satellite radio that was launched in all the stores. In August 1996, J Sainsbury plc bought out its Homebase partner Belgian retailer, GB-Inno-BM (GIB) for £66 million. November 2002 Sainsbury's sold their shareholding in Homebase. Subfonds includes: Branch files for Homebase branches (including photographs and papers) Homebase promotional and advertising material Homebase product packaging Press releases and press cuttings Images of Homebases stores Images of Homebase transport vehicles. For other subsidiary and associate companies, see: SA/GIA (Giant Foods); SA/SBHS (Savacentre); SA/FRE (Freezer Centres); SA/SHAW (Shaw's); SA/TEX (Texas).