Huge budget retailer to shutter ANOTHER former Wilko store just months after opening
A HUGE budget retailer is poised to shut down another former Wilko store just months after opening.
Poundland took over the former Wilko site in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, last October after Wilko went into administration.
But now the discount retailer is shuttering the location on George Street in the Stamford Quarter after just eight months.
Poundland previously closed a branch at the other end of George Street in early 2023.
Signs have gone up saying: “Sorry. We’re closing 17th June. Visit our website for other nearby stores.”
A spokesperson for Poundland said the firm had been unable to agree a new lease with the landlord.
He said: “Sadly we’ve been unable to agree lease terms that would enable us to keep the store trading.
“The store’s is currently planned to close on 17 June.
“Whenever we have to close a store, it goes without saying we do all we can to find alternative roles for colleagues.”
The retailer had given priority to Wilko workers when recruiting new staff for the outlet.
It’s not the first former Wilko store Poundland has closed down.
The branch in Jarrow was one of the first ex-Wilko stores to reopen but closed for good on April 20.
The North East store opened at the end of September last year just 12 days after taking over the premises from Wilko.
Poundland bought up 71 ex-Wilko stores when the retailer fell into administration last year.
The discounter quickly turned around the locations and opened up many of the stores under its own brand before Christmas.
Since then several stores have closed down including locations in Ellesmere Port, Glashiels and the Sailmakers Shopping Centre in Ipswich.
In total, Poundland has shut down nine former Wilko locations just months after bringing them back to life.
However, it is not all doom and gloom for Poundland fans, as the retailer has also been busy opening up in some new locations.
Most recently the retailer has cut the ribbon on stores in Norwich and Bridgwater.
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.
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.
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.
