THE future of Newton Abbot’s branch of Homebase is uncertain as the company collapses into administration.

Around 2,000 jobs are at risk after Hilco, the owner of Homebase, put the company into administration.

Norton Group Holdings Limited, who owns The Range, is buying 70 of Homebase’s stores, as well as the brand, which will safeguard around 1,600 jobs, the Mid-Devon Advertiser understands.

But this still leaves 49 shops and thousands of jobs at risk; the location of the 49 stores has not yet been made public.

Newton Abbot’s store could be among the 49, but, equally, it could be among the 70 that are safe.

The Newton Abbot store is one of only four in Devon, the other three being Barnstaple, Honiton and Tiverton.

The 49 at risk shops will continue as normal while Teneo, the administrators appointed by Hilco, look for a buyer.

The Homebase brand will continue online and the physical shops will become The Range stores.