Shoppers want to know more about the Wilko stores reopening, and whether their local high street is affected by the change.
Everyday essentials retailer Wilko collapsed into administration earlier this year, leaving shoppers across the UK wondering which Wilko stores were closing. But following the news that B&M and Poundland had bought some Wilko stores, things have been looking a little brighter for Wilko employees - many of whom have been told they will be able to keep their jobs in the rebranded stores.
Much like the Boots store closures earlier this year, the disappearance of Wilkos from the UK is another blow to the high street, but now news has come that some of the old stores are set to open their doors again. Here's the full list of confirmed Wilko stores reopening so far...
Which Wilko stores are reopening?
Five Wilko stores are expected to reopen before Christmas, alongside several more stores which will reopen as Poundlands, after a number of sites were bought by the chain.
CDS Superstores, the parent company of The Range, which also struck a deal with Wilkos, has said that two Wilko shops in Plymouth and Exeter will become concept stores, while a further two stores will be in the South East and the final will be in the North.
The chief executive of CDS Superstores has said that former Wilko employees will have priority when it comes to staffing the reopened shops.
In addition, Wilko branded goods are now on sale in 210 of The Range's stores and online, and will soon be available at wilko.com too.
Which Wilko stores have reopened as Poundlands?
- Broad Street, Chell Road, Stafford, Staffordshire
- Pendle Rise Shopping Centre, Nelson, Lancashire
- The Peel Centre, Great Portwood Street, Stockport
- The Mall, Church Street, Eccles, Manchester
- London Street, Southport, Merseyside
- Lord Street, Leigh, Greater Manchester
- East Street, Barking, London
- High Street, Maidenhead, Berkshire
- Bede Precinct, Viking Centre, Jarrow
- The Broadway, Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire
- Carregaman Road, Ammanford
- Institute Lane, Alfreton
- Pavilion Shopping Centre, Thornaby
- Market Place, South Shields
- Killingworth Centre, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
- Darwin Shopping Centre, Shrewsbury
- Salter Shopping Centre, Droitwich
- High Street, Redhill
- Charles Street, Leicester
- Bancroft, Hitchen
Darren Kay, Poundland retail director, has said: "We're pleased to be able to re-open so quickly - not least because our ambition is to provide job opportunities for former Wilko colleagues.
"Of course, we’re not yet in a position to offer our fullest ranges in these stores, but we know customers will appreciate a shop that’s open, trading and employing colleagues to one that’s got its shutters closed."
We’re opening/relocating 75 stores over three months! 🥳We wouldn’t be able to do this without our amazing team - including over 500 former Wilko colleagues who are joining us.Find out if we’re coming to an area local to you: https://t.co/X2PWlyqu7i pic.twitter.com/Fbo0UO0ZGmOctober 25, 2023
Other Wilko stores reopening as Poundlands in 2023
November 4, 2023:
- Lagny Street, Alnwick
- Otley Road, Headingley, Leeds
- Freeman Street, Grimsby
- St Andrews Retail Park, Hull
- Bore Street, Lichfield
- High Street, Wombwell, Barnsley
- Edmonton Green Shopping Centre, London
- Oak Mall Centre, Greenock
- Castle Dene Shopping Centre, Peterlee
November 2023:
- Butterly Business Park, Dublin
- Southgate Street, Gloucester (relocation)
- Cornmarket, Lancaster (relocation)
- Pallion Retail Park, Sunderland
- Stonehills, Welwyn Garden City
- High Street, Portishead (relocation)
- Market Street, Crewkerne
December 2023:
- High Street, Midsomer Norton, Radstock
- Midland Road, Bedford
- Preston Street, Faversham
- High Street, Newport, Shropshire
- The Harlequin Centre, High Street, Watford (relocation)
- High Road, Wood Green, London (relocation)
- Cleveragh Retail Park, Sligo
- High Street, Wells
- The Fort Shopping Park, Birmingham
- The Broadway, Plymstock, Plymouth (relocation)
Why are some Wilko stores reopening as Poundland?
Poundland owner Pepco agreed earlier this month to buy up to 71 Wilko stores from administrator PwC following the collapse of the high street chain. Wilko was forced to shut its doors for good after failing to secure emergency funding.
In addition, fellow discount chain B&M has bought 51 other Wilko stores, which will also be reopening at a later date, while The Range has bought Wilko's brand, website and intellectual property. This means Wilko's name will not completely disappear from high streets, as own-brand items will appear in The Range stores.
The Wilko store closures are another blow to the high street. Iceland, New Look and Argos have also all been forced to close sites in recent months.
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