Wesfarmers has announced that the first Homebase store will be transformed into Bunnings in October this year, and has hired retail veteran Archie Norman and former Kingfisher executive Matt Tyson to advise.
The first pilot Bunnings store is expected to be followed by another one or two before Christmas and more next year. These will be treated as trial runs before Bunnings rolls out the rest of its £500m investment to convert the whole Homebase chain.

Mr Norman, who is well known for his part to play in the 1990s revival of Asda, is closely affiliated with Wesfarmers after helping turn around its Australian grocery retailer Coles.

Said Bunnings chief executive John Gillam: "We are delighted to have access to such high-quality and strong-thinking people who will bring strategic rigour and real UK market insight to help with the turnaround."

It comes after Bunnings announced it would save up to 700 Homebase jobs in 18 stores earmarked for closure by former owner Home Retail Group.

The mantra for Bunnings in the UK is "everything you want under one roof."