Full list of cities where Wilko stores are returning – check if you get one

Brits were heartbroken when the much-loved Wilko announced it would close all its stores after falling into government last year.

Because no buyer was found, 400 stores closed and thousands of employees lost their jobs.

Wilko will reopen a number of new stores in 2024

But since December 2023, the Wilko name has officially returned to the shopping street after new stores opened their doors to customers.

CDS Superstores, now trading as The Range and Wilko, announced at the end of last year that it would relaunch the chain on British high streets.

Three old Wilko branches reopened in December and welcomed customers for the first time. These stores are located in:

Unit A, Armada Centre, Mayflower Street, Plymouth – opened 1 December
Unit 100, Guildhall Shopping Centre, Exeter – opened 1 December
141/147 Arndale Centre, Luton – opened 8 December

Two more stores will open under the Wilko brand in the spring.

The opening dates of the two newest stores, located in St Albans (The Maltings) and Rotherham (Parkgate Shopping Park), have now been revealed.

Both stores will open on Good Friday, March 29, 2024 at 9:00 am.

A spokesperson for Wilko said: “The new stores will provide shoppers with everything they need to get all their home and garden jobs done.”

It comes as the retailer has also revealed its next store will be in Poole, Dorset.

Work on the Dolphin Center location is expected to begin soon and the store’s opening date will be announced shortly thereafter.

‘Devastated’ Wilko boss Lisa Wilkinson apologizes to thousands of employees who lost their jobs after the chain went bankrupt

The announcement in Poole follows successful concept store launches in Plymouth, Exeter and Luton.

The new stores offer valuable items including cleaning and household products, decoration and DIY products, garden and seasonal products.

Shoppers can also purchase Wilko items via wilko.com, which was relaunched in October.

Alex Simpkin, CEO of Wilko, said: “The initial response to the new concept stores has been even better than we had hoped. We have seen queues from both returning and new customers at the store launches and the feedback gives us the confidence we need to to continue with our store opening plans.

“We are in advanced negotiations with a number of landlords and continue to assess all options as part of our rollout plan.

Interested real estate agents or landlords should contact us.

“We will continue our efforts to prioritize ex-Wilko employees as part of the recruitment process for the new stores.”

Wilko fell into administration in August last year, before a stream of potential buyers showed interest in buying the ailing company.

The retailer went bankrupt after being hit hard by inflationary pressures, competition from rivals and supply chain challenges.

However, a buyer for the entire business could not be found and in September the retailer announced that all 400 stores would close that same month.

However, a number of rivals moved in to buy up some of Wilko’s retail portfolio, including Poundlandthat bought 71 stores.

B&M also agreed to buy up to 51 locations as part of a £13 million deal.

The brand had been acquired by The Range in a £5 million deal, meaning the name would live on.

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