‘Wilko’s closure has turned our market town into a dump’
Residents have fumed following the closure of their local Wilko, claiming their lovely market town is becoming a “dump.”
Desperate locals in Loughborough said the area is full of empty stores and fear student flats will take “the heart out of their town”.
Loyal shoppers were left devastated when the last Wilko closed its doors earlier this month.
The retailer fell into administration on August 10 resulting in the closure of all 400 stores.
And residents have now one more empty store to add to their “unattractive” market town.
Which Wilko stores did Poundland buy?
Following Wilko’s collapse, Poundland purchased a large number of the budget retailer’s locations.
Several have already been converted into Poundland stores, with more to open this week.
Here is the full list:
- Aberdare
- Alfreton
- Alnwick
- Altrincham
- Ammanford
- Ashby
- Barking
- Bedminster
- Beeston
- Bicester
- Bishop Stortford
- Bletchley
- Bolton
- Brentwood
- Brigg
- Cambridge
- Chepstow
- Coalville
- Cramlington
- Droitwich
- Eccles
- Edmonton Green
- Ellesmere Port
- Ferndown
- Gateshead
- Grays
- Greenock
- Grimsby
- Havant
- Hayes
- Headingley
- Hessle Road
- Hull
- Hillsborough
- Hitchin
- Jarrow
- Killingworth
- Kimberley
- Lee Circle
- Leek
- Leigh
- Lichfield
- Maidenhead
- Matlock
- Melton Mowbray
- Nelson
- Northallerton
- Orton
- Pembroke Dock
- Peterlee
- Pontefract
- Pontypool
- Redhill
- Redruth
- Ripley
- Rugeley
- Sale
- Seaham
- Selly Oak
- Shrewsbury
- Darwin Centre
- South Shields
- Southport
- Stafford
- Stamford
- Stockport
- Thornaby
- Wellington
- Wembley
- West Ealing
- Wombwell
- Worcester
- Worksop
What has Wilko said?
Wilko took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to confirm the news of its return.
The post read: “We’re thrilled to let you know Wilko stores will be returning to the high street and retail parks across the UK, including Northern Ireland for the first time!
“Following the re-launch of http://wilko.com and the announcement that Wilko products are to be sold in The Range’s 200 stores, what quickly became clear is that Wilko is still plays a part in people’s everyday lives.
“Five stand-alone concept stores will open before Christmas, starting with Plymouth and Exeter, closely followed by two locations in the South-East and one in the North.”
Shoppers react to Wilko return
Overjoyed have taken to social media to celebrate the return of Wilko.
One X user said: “Your return is sure to bring a smile to the faces of many customers.”
While another added: “Yippeeeeeeeeeee.”
And a third said: “Wilko has risen from the ashes, you love to see it.”
