Poundland will open seven more stores at former Wilko sites tomorrow, with two more locations set to reopen under the Poundland brand next week, according to reports.
The retailer has already converted 56 former Wilko properties into Poundlands, with the sites set to undergo further makeovers in the new year to make them fully operational Poundlands.
Poundland owner Pepco agreed a deal with administrators to take over the leases of up to 71 Wilko stores after the retailer collapsed into administration earlier this year.
Poundland has today announced four new relocations. On top of 19 relocations which have already been announced, the chain is set to have opened 86 stores in just three months.
All 400 Wilko stores were closed but The Range is reopening new concept stores before Christmas while Poundland has announced a number of rapid Wilko-to-Poundland conversions
PA
Austin Cooke, Poundland’s managing director said: “We excitedly continue to open and relocate stores at pace so we can bring our best offer, including all-new clothing, chilled and frozen food to customers, existing and new.
“The monumental effort from our teams continues to amaze me, and it supports jobs and high streets right across Britain.
“That's 86 stores in 70 days that we'll have opened successfully, and no one should underestimate the effort and energy that our teams have put into delivering that achievement - I certainly don’t. It’s phenomenal!”
Poundland said they are continuing to prioritise former Wilko workers for job roles, encouraging them to follow Poundland's posts on LinkedIn or visit www.poundlandcareers.co.uk to find details of open roles and how to apply for them.
The retailer has now made offers of employment to more than 800 former Wilko colleagues.
Poundland has said the following former Wilko sites will reopen on Saturday, November 25:
- 49-55 Queensway, Stevenage (relocation)
- 6-10 Princess Way, Camberley (relocation)
- Unit 5, Green Lanes Shopping Centre, Barnstable
- 4 The Beeches, Nottingham Road, Long Eaton
- 57-61 Carolgate, Retford
Poundland will open two more ex-Wilko stores on Saturday, December 9 in:
- Unit B, 25-37 Foregate Street, Chester (relocation)
- Unit 6, 34A The Parade, Swindon
The company has since announced five new Wilko concept stores will return to the High Street, ahead of a wider rollout next year.
CEO of CDS Superstores, trading as wilko and The Range, Alex Simpkin said; “It’s clear that there’s a huge love for wilko and we’re proud to confirm we’ll be re-introducing the brand to high streets in Plymouth, Exeter and Luton in the coming weeks.
“We’re also glad to be bringing employment opportunities to these towns and for helping local families and communities have easy access to all the everyday home and garden items they need once again."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Poundland is rapidly converting 64 stores from Wilko to Poundland this year
PA
Other Poundland store news
Poundland has already opened new stores in Telford (Forge Retail Park), Stafford (Queens Retail Park), Gloucester (Southgate Street, Lancaster (Cornmarket), Sunderland (Pallion Retail Park), and a Pepco in Dublin (Artane) this quarter.
Poundland will open new stores in Portishead (High Street) and Crewkerne (Market Street) tomorrow (25 November).
The retailer has also announced plans for 15 openings and relocations in December, which includes a move into a former John Lewis location in Watford.
Saturday December 2, 2023:
- 26 Stonehills, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6NA
- 38 High Street, Midsomer Norton, Radstock, BA3 2DL
- 34-38 Midland Road, Bedford, MK40 1PS
- 72-72A Preston Street, Faversham, ME13 8PA
- 34-35 High Street, Newport, Shropshire, TF10 7AQ
- Unit 3, The Harlequin Centre, High Street, Watford, WD17 2TW (relocation)
- 56-58 Lord Street, Liverpool, L2 1TD (relocation)
- 3 Risman Place, Washington Square, Workington, CA14 3DU (relocation)
Saturday December 9, 2023
- Units 4,5,7, Howgate Shopping Centre, High Street, Falkirk, FK1 1HG (relocation)
- 44-46 High Road, Wood Green, London, N22 6BX (relocation)
- Unit 4, Cleveragh Retail Park, Sligo (Pepco)
- 27/29 High Street, Wells, BA5 2AA
- 10B, The Fort Shopping Park, 20 Fort Parkway, Birmingham, B24 9FP
- 59 The Broadway, Plymstock, Plymouth, PL9 7AX (relocation)
- Units 13-14 Antonine Shopping Centre, Tryst Road, Cumbernauld, G67 1JW (relocation)