Poundland will unveil its next set of stores inside former Wilko outlets this weekend, almost a week after they closed their doors.
The discount chain will open 10 newly converted shops in Melton Mowbray, Matlock, Chepstow, Nottingham, Worcester, Ellesmere Port, Brigg, Redruth, Ferndown and Pontypool on Saturday (7 October).
It comes after the retailer agreed to take on 71 of Wilko’s store leases from administrators PwC earlier this month.
The retailer said the units would be converted into new Poundland shops, with Wilko team members prioritised for the new roles. Over 200 job offers have been made to former employees so far.
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Just like the first round that opened last weekend, the next set of stores will feature the retailer’s extensive grocery, household and general merchandise ranges.
It will also stock the same Pepco family clothing collection that is rolling out to the rest of Poundland’s existing UK and Ireland branches.
Managing director Austin Cooke said: “Our people make Poundland special and last week they did an amazing job to turn ex-Wilko stores into brand new Poundlands in just six days – the size and scale of what they’ve achieved has been nothing short of phenomenal.
“But they worked hard because we meant what we said about moving quickly to create jobs for Wilko colleagues. And that’s why we’ll pull out all the stops to repeat that feat and open another 10 stores this weekend.
“I know from meeting our new colleagues from Wilko, how delighted they were to welcome customers old and new back to their store last weekend – and that’s inspiring us to keep the pace up and bring the amazing value we promise to more high streets this Saturday.
“And while it will take a little time to get the converted Wilkos quite as we’d like, by opening swiftly we’re protecting jobs, adding amazing value to the high street, and putting more stores and products closer to our customers when they need it most.”
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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