Poundland is to reopen 10 shops on Saturday that were formerly Wilko outlets.
Previous Wilko staff have been urged to apply for jobs at the locations after the high street chain went bust as it struggled to compete with discount competitors, such as Poundland.
Shoppers will be able to find staple favourites including a range of clothing as well as any Wilko clearance items.
Darren Kay, Poundland retail director, 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.”
These are the 10 former Wilko shops that are opening on Saturday, October 30 as Poundlands:
- Broad Street, Chell Road, Stafford, Staffordshire, West Midlands
- Pendle Rise Shopping Centre, Nelson, Lancashire
- The Peel Centre, Great Portwood Street, Stockport, Greater Manchester
- 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, South Tyneside
- The Broadway, Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire.
Andy Bond, Executive Chairman of Pepco Group, said earlier this month: “The agreement to take control of a number of Wilko store leases will help to bring Poundland’s fantastic prices and offer to even more customers in the UK.
“It will be pleasing to offer employment to a number of Wilko’s colleagues – who will benefit from being part of a successful and fast-growing pan-European variety discount group.
“Pepco Group is well placed for future success across Europe, supported by its market-leading customer proposition, strong balance sheet and impressive cash flow.
“The Group’s strategy to become a bigger, better, cheaper and simpler business will enable it to continue to providing families on a budget with great range, value and convenience for many years to come.”
Wilko went into administration earlier this year with all of its 400 shops to close, with the last ones to shut on October 8.
Poundland has agreed to take on 71 shops in total, at these locations:
- Aberdare
- Alfreton
- Alnwick
- Altrincham
- Ammanford
- Ashby
- Barking
- Bedminster
- Beeston
- Bicester
- Bishop Stortford
- Bletchley
- Bolton
- Brentwood
- Brigg
- Cambridge
- Chepstow
- Coalville
- Cramlington
- Droitwich
- Eccles
- Edmonton Green
- Ellesmere Port
- Ferndown
- Gateshead
- Grays
- Greenock
- Grimsby
- Havant
- Hayes
- Headingley
- Hessle Road – Hull
- Hillsborough
- Hitchin
- Jarrow
- Killingworth
- Kimberley
- Lee Circle
- Leek
- Leigh
- Lichfield
- Maidenhead
- Matlock
- Melton Mowbray
- Nelson
- Northallerton
- Orton
- Pembroke Dock
- Peterlee
- Pontefract
- Pontypool
- Redhill
- Redruth
- Ripley
- Rugeley
- Sale
- Seaham
- Selly Oak
- Shrewsbury Darwin Centre
- South Shields
- Southport
- Stafford
- Stamford
- Stockport
- Thornaby
- Wellington
- Wembley
- West Ealing
- Wombwell
- Worcester
- Worksop.
B&M has also agreed to take on 51 stores in a deal worth £13million. HMV owner Doug Putman was set to take on 300 shops but the deal fell through due to rising costs.
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