A huge DIY store in Edinburgh is at risk of closure as the struggling business is set for administration.

Homebase, which has a store at Craigleith Retail Park, is reportedly lining up insolvency practitioners at the Teneo consultancy, which could see it placed into administration.

Chris Dawson, the retail magnate who owns The Range homeware outlets, is also reportedly planning a last-minute rescue deal which could see him buy as many as 70 of Homebase’s 130 UK stores.

Should the buyout deal go ahead, it could see about 1,500 jobs saved, but at least 1,700 others would still be in doubt, Sky News reported.

Homebase was bought for £1 by investment firm Hilco Capital, which has since brought in a raft of cost-cutting measures. But the chain has struggled as customers cut back on spending amid the cost-of-living crisis, and reported an £84.2 million loss last year.

In August, Sainsbury’s penned a deal to buy 10 Homebase stores and convert them into supermarkets.

Homebase declined to comment, while Teneo and The Range have been contacted for comment.

It comes after a hunt for a buyer from Homebase’s current owners which is thought to have lasted for the last two months.

Mr Dawson is also in talks to buy Homebase’s 40-year-old brand and its website, in a deal which could cost about £30 million.

The businessman, whose CDS Superstores acts as parent company to The Range, bought parts of high street retailer Wilko after it collapsed last year.

He told the Telegraph newspaper: “We are delighted to be able to save so many stores and jobs, and look forward to adding theHomebasebrand and subsidiaries to the expanding Range group of companies.”

The Range sells homeware and DIY products from its more than 200 store estate in the UK.