POUNDLAND has shut down nine former Wilko locations within months of bringing them back to life.
The discount retailer took on 71 new locations when its rival fell into administration last year.
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It quickly turned around the ex-Wilko premises and opened the majority of them up under the Poundland name before Christmas.
However, since then a number of stores have closed down including locations in Alfreton, Bishop’s Stortford and Ellesmere Port.
A spokesperson for Poundland said that the retailer had “moved really quickly” to open a significant number of stores so that they could offer roles for staff.
They added: “While it’s disappointing we haven’t been able to make a small number of them work in the long term, all the people employed at those stores have been offered roles at nearby locations.”
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We have the full list of ex-Wilko Poundland stores that have closed down below.
Ex-Wilko/Poundland locations that have shut down
Since taking over 71 ex-Wilko stores some locations have had to closed down – here is the full list
- Alfreton
- Bishop’s Stortford
- Ealing
- Eccles
- Ellesmere Port
- Hillsborough
- Jarrow
- Nelson
- Stafford
However, it is far from being all doom and gloom, as the retailer did open up 80 stores in the last quarter of 2023.
Since then new stores have opened in Perry Barr, Leith, Biggleswade, Bridgwater and Norwich.
This weekend, a new store is also set to open up in Wandsworth, London.
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The popular discounter has around 800 branches across the UK, and it is giving a makeover to 150 locations.
Many stores are getting additional features such as chilled food ranges and baby and kids clothing sections.
Five ways to save money at Poundland
The store upgrade is part of a huge new makeover project that the chain is calling “Project Evo” and some renovations have already been completed.
This includes sites in Urmston, Greater Manchester, Wolverhampton, West Midlands and Leeds Crown Point.
In total, 150 stores will receive makeovers by August 2024 – we have the full list.
After the alterations, all the stores will offer more baby and kids clothing for parents on a budget.
The introduction of chilled food will give shoppers the chance to pick up items from Poundland’s popular frozen food ranges.
Shoppers will also be able to pick up Poundland’s £3 meal deal in each location.
What else is happening on the high street
Many retailers have had to make changes in recent times in a bid to survive the cost of living crisis.
We have seen several big losses in the last 12 months including popular discounter Wilko and stationary brand Paperchase.
This year, health and beauty chain The Body Shop fell into administration and announced the closure of many of its 200 stores.
Almost 500 staff are set to lose their jobs after 75 stores were earmarked for closure.
Plus, clothing retailer Ted Baker fell into administration in March 2024 too, with 15 stores having shut by April 19.
Other retailers such as Iceland, Boots and Matalan have been slimming down the number of stores they have in their portfolio.
Just this spring Boots is closing a total of nine sites, as part of its wider plans to get rid of 300 locations.
These closures will see the retailer’s total shops reduced from 2,200 to 1,900.
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This has upset a lot of locals in the affected towns, however, the health and beauty chain has said where stores are closing there is an alternative shop less than three miles away.
If you are concerned about your favourite store disappearing from the high street we have the full list of shops and supermarkets set to close in May – check if your local is affected.
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