It’s a difficult time for staff at Abingdon’s Homebase store, which is set to close. The closure is one of many nationwide after the company, owned by Hilco, went into administration last month. While some branches were bought by the owner of The Range, Abingdon wasn’t among them, and no buyer was found for most of the remaining stores.

There’s no official closing date yet. For now, the store is holding a closing-down sale. Notices say ‘Administration Sale’ and ‘Store Closing: Everything must Go’. It is the busiest I have seen the store since it opened in September 2021. There are far more staff than usual.

Shoppers can find some big discounts, with Christmas trees and decorations going for 50% off. Other products are 50% or 40% off.

There must be a science to applying discounts in a closing down situation. There is 10% off paints and fleeces.

It’s a sad end for the store and staff who must be facing a worrying Christmas, but at the same time, the rest of us don’t want to miss out on a good deal.