Poundland will open its first set of stores inside former Wilko outlets this weekend, just days after they stopped trading.
The discount chain will unveil 10 newly converted shops in Stafford, Nelson, Barking, Stockport, Eccles, Leigh, Southport, Maidenhead, Jarrow and Scunthorpe on Saturday.
It comes after the retailer agreed to take on 71 of Wilko’s store leases from administrators PwC earlier this month.
It said the units would be converted into new Poundland shops, with Wilko team members prioritised for the new roles.
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Poundland retail director Darren Kay 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’d encourage customers old and new to come and say hello to their new Poundland team from this coming Saturday in each of these 10 locations.”
The retailer said it would carry out a full makeover of the new stores next year “so they can become fully operational Poundlands”.
Discount rival B&M also snapped up 51 Wilko stores in a £13m deal at the start of September.
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2 Comments. Leave new
Meanwhile, B&M still yet to even announce which Wilko stores they cherry-picked!
Apparently they’re telling us in “November” – must be frustrating for the former Wilko workers to know whether they might have a shot at a job with B&M or not…