In February, bosses stated the store would open in October, creating around 50 new full and part-time jobs.

But, despite work on the store appearing almost complete and the October deadline looming, no staff have yet been recruited and Homebase, this week, would not confirm an opening date.

A spokesman said: "Homebase is currently in a consultation period regarding retail space located in the Clitheroe area. As such, there are no recruitment procedures in place and no further comment can be made at this time."

John Macholc, Ribble Valley Borough Council's Development and Building Control Manager, commented: "There are outstanding conditions relating to this application, which are currently being dealt with by ourselves which need the involvement of other partner organisations, including Lancashire County Council. These are being processed and will be determined as soon as possible."

It is almost two years since plans for the controversial Clitheroe DIY store to be built on the former Rectella site, next to Sainsbury's, were given the go-ahead. Town centre traders had lobbied Ribble Valley Borough Council's planning committee to get plans from the DIY giant turned down.

However, last May, Homebase won its appeal after a planning inspector
granted permission for the store saying the vitality and viability of Clitheroe was "unlikely to be seriously affected" by the development.

By January the former Rectella buildings had gone and construction began.

>>Old bridges and brook disappear under Homebase
>>Homebase wins appeal
>>Store would be 'good' for town