A DISCOUNT shop that launched just four years ago is set to take on up to 10 former Wilko sites after the retailer went bust.
One Beyond, which currently has 107 branches across the UK, is looking at the stores as part of expansion plans.
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The discounter has already confirmed two former Wilko branches, in Chelmsford and Boston, will reopen under its name in November.
Plus, it could snap up a further eight, although the retailer did not say which further locations it was eyeing up.
It comes as part of One Beyond’s plans to increase its portfolio of stores to 125 by spring next year.
Chris Edwards, chief executive officer, said: “We’re looking forward to bringing One Beyond’s incredible value to even more shoppers across the UK.”
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It comes after Wilko crashed into administration in August, leaving its 400 stores and 12,000 jobs in peril.
A number of bids were put in to try and salvage the discount chain, including one from the billionaire owner of HMV, Doug Putman.
However, none were successful meaning Wilko’s stores closed and thousands of jobs were lost.
A number of retailers have since swooped and snapped up some of the failed chain’s stores though.
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Poundland owners Pepco have bought up to 71 locations with a view to opening the sites under their brand name.
The first 10 opened on September 30 while a further 10 pulled up their shutters for the first time on October 1. Ten more welcomed in shoppers on October 7.
B&M has also purchased 51 stores, although the retailer is yet to confirm which branches are included in the deal.
Meanwhile, The Range has snapped up the Wilko name and website, as part of a £5million deal.
It saw Wilko’s home delivery make a welcome return on October 12.
Shoppers have since been able to order hundreds of bargains to their doorstep including homeware, storage and Christmas items.
Wilko crashed into administration in August this year after struggling to find a suitable buyer for the business.
The chain, founded by James Kemsey Wilkinson in 1930, had been facing issues for several months.
The company borrowed £40million in 2022 from Hilco as well as cutting jobs and restructuring the leadership of the business.
Administrators PwC were brought in in August to salvage a deal among interested firms and in a bid to save jobs and stores but failed.
Following the news the nearly 100-year-old business would go bust, Lisa Wilkinson, granddaughter of the chain’s founder, said everybody had put their “soul and heart” into saving the chain.
She said: “Everybody has thrown everything and everything again at trying to make Wilko a success.
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“The team members, the suppliers, the landlords – and if I get tearful, that’s how I feel because people have worked really bloody hard, round the clock, to keep the thing going.”
One Beyond was established in 2019 and currently sells 4,000 items at a £1 price point, as well as thousands more over £1.
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