Shopworkers trade union Usdaw is looking to have urgent talks with Wesfarmers, the new owner of Homebase.
The union says it wants to make sure that the relationship it had with bosses at former owner Home Retail Group (HRG), and with previous owners, is maintained.

HRG announced last week that it had sold Homebase to Australia's Wesfarmers, which operates the Bunnings DIY chain across Australia and New Zealand.

The 265 Homebase stores will now take on the Bunnings name.

Usdaw national officer Dave Gill said: "We have a longstanding commitment to providing trade union representation for Homebase staff and have maintained relationships with successive owners of the business.

"We are looking forward to working closely with the new owners, and I am seeking to meet them as soon as possible. We understand they are looking to invest in the Homebase business, which is welcome after the restructuring and job losses at the end of 2014.

"In the meantime, I am writing to all our members working in Homebase to reassure them that Usdaw will provide support, advice and representation throughout the period of transition."