After nearly six months of delays a major DIY chain is finally set to unveil its new store in north Norfolk.Bosses at Homebase say their outlet in Cromer will open to the public on Friday, October 17.

After nearly six months of delays a major DIY chain is finally set to unveil its new store in north Norfolk.

Bosses at Homebase say their outlet in Cromer will open to the public on Friday, October 17.

The announcement comes just a day after the company announced a national slump in sales, and drop in profit for the second time this year.

But last night a Homebase spokesman said the company, which had more than 300 outlets across the UK, continued to look for new store openings.

The Cromer one had been in the pipeline some time, he said, adding "We are looking at the current economic climate, but we are not stopping opening stores."

Builders finished work at the Holt Road site early this year and originally the DIY giant said the new shop would open to the public in April.

But the opening had to be delayed after councillors on North Norfolk District Council's planning panel refused permission for a 9.6m high silver water tank in March.

The tank, which the company said was vital and needed to feed the building's fire sprinkler system, eventually had to be taken down and replaced with a smaller 6m high tank and pumping station, which could not be seen from the road.

Meanwhile, the 40 staff the company had employed to work at the store were temporarily relocated to other stores.

The new store boasts a total of 25,000sq ft of shop floor space, including 7,500sq ft devoted to garden centre products.

Homebase divisional general manager, Peter King said: “We are delighted to be opening a new Homebase store in Cromer.

As Homebase offers around 40,000 products across DIY and decorating, home and garden ranges, we feel this will make it even easier for our customers to create a better home. “