SHOPPERS were left heartbroken when it was revealed that Wilko was set to disappear from the high street forever.
The beloved retailer collapsed into administration in August and closed its final stores in early October.
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But Wilko will make a dramatic return to the high street by Christmas, its new band owner has said.
When it collapsed, Wilko had 400 stores and most of its 12,500 workers were made redundant.
Administrators from PwC ultimately sold a raft of Wilko’s assets in order to help pay off its outstanding debts after failing to secure a rescue deal for the entirety of the 93-year-old retail chain.
The Range’s owner bought the Wilko brand, website and intellectual property in a £5 million deal,
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Which Wilko stores are reopening?
CDS Superstores, which trades as The Range and Wilko, said it will open five shops before Christmas.
The first two standalone stores will be opened in Plymouth and Exeter, the company said.
It also added that it plans to roll out more Wilko stores in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in 2024.
This will be the first time that Wilko shops have opened in Northern Ireland.
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Wilko.com returned earlier this month under The Range’s ownership, and Wilko branded items are being stocked in The Range stores.
Concessions have opened inside the chain’s 210 shops, selling many popular Wilko products.
A mixture of former shops and new sites are being considered, it added.
Meanwhile, boss of another popular homeware giant has hinted that it could take over Wilko stores as part of plans to open up to 20 new shops.
Dunelm has said it expects to acquire several former Wilko locations.
Meanwhile, Poundland has confirmed that it is to open 19 new stores in former Wilko sites, under the Poundland name.
They are as follows:
- Unit A3, Carregaman Road, Ammanford, SA18 3ED
- 13 Institute Lane, Alfreton, DE55 7BQ
- 12 Vale House, Pavilion Shopping Centre, Thornaby, TS17 9FD
- 15 Market Place, South Shields, NE33 1JF
- Unit 15-18 Killingworth Centre, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE12 6YT
- Level 3, Darwin Shopping Centre, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY1 1PL
- Unit 38, Salter Shopping Centre, St Andrews Square, Droitwich, WR9 8HE
- 3-7 High Street, Redhill, RH1 1RD
- Epic House, 2 Charles Street, Leicester, LE1 3JA
- 18-19 Bancroft, Hitchen, SG5 1JQ
- Unit 16, Lagny Street, Alnwick, NE66 1LB
- 22-24 Headingley Central, Otley Road, Headingley, Leeds, LS6 2UE
- 48-52 Freeman Street, Grimsby, DN32 7AG
- Unit 11, St Andrews Retail Park, Hull, HU3 4EH
- 12-14 Bore Street, Lichfield, WS13 6LL
- 30-40 High Street, Wombwell, Barnsley, S73 8AA
- Edmonton Green Shopping Centre, 3-11 North Square, London, N9 0TZ
- 41 Hamilton Way, Oak Mall Centre, Greenock, PA15 1RQ
- 32 Yoden Way, Castle Dene Shopping Centre, Peterlee, SR8 1AL
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B&M also agreed to buy up to 51 locations in a £13million deal.
These locations haven’t been announced yet, but will reopen as B&M shops.
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