THE Wilko name is officially back on the high street after new stores opened their doors to customers.
The discounter collapsed into administration in August, meaning 400 shops closed and thousands of staff lost their jobs.
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But since then, CDS Superstores, trading as The Range and Wilko, has revealed it is relaunching the chain across Britain’s high streets.
Two sites welcomed in customers for the first time on December 1, and another will open on December 8.
On December 1, chief executive of CDS Superstores Alex Simpkin told The Sun: “The customer reaction to the new stores opening today has been fantastic and proves we’re doing the right thing in returning this much-loved retailer to UK high streets.”
But you might be wondering where exactly the three new stores are located. Here’s the full list and their opening dates:
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- Unit A, Armada Centre, Mayflower Street, Plymouth – December 1
- Unit 100, Guildhall Shopping Centre, Exeter – December 1
- 141/147 Arndale Centre, Luton – December 8
Two further stores could open under the Wilko name too, The Sun exclusively revealed in October.
The Range’s website was advertising for dozens of roles at undisclosed addresses in Cwmbran, Wales and Hucknall, Nottingham.
The exact locations for the two stores are:
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- Llewellyn Walk, Llywelyn Road, Cwmbran, South Wales
- Central Walk, Hucknall, Nottingham
A source at CDS Superstores did not deny Wilko shops in the two locations could reopen.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the retail group confirmed it was launching five new Wilko stores pre-Christmas.
They added that it was in discussions with landlords about opening more sites from January 2024.
Mr Simpkin has said CDS Superstores will aim to give ex-Wilko staff priority as part of the recruitment process for the new stores.
The new shops offer value items including cleaning and household, decorating and DIY, garden and seasonal products.
Shoppers can also snap up Wilko items via wilko.com, which relaunched in October.
Wilko fell into administration in August before a flurry of potential buyers expressed an interest in buying out the ailing business.
But a buyer could not be found and in October the retailer announced all 400 shops would close that same month.
A number of rivals swooped in to buy out some of Wilko’s store portfolio though, including Poundland, which purchased 71 stores.
B&M also agreed to buy up to 51 locations as part of a £13million deal.
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