Stockport Wilko store among 71 bought by Poundland

Pepco Group have agreed a deal with Wilko administrators, PwC, that will see 71 stores reopen as Poundland shops, including the location at Stockport Retail Park.

The Wilko store in Stockport was among the first of the retailer’s 400 stores announced to close after the chain entered administration last month, and closes its doors today (14th September), with the approximately 40 staff members losing their jobs. PwC announced on Monday 11th September that all Wilko stores would close across the country by mid October after a deal with HMV owner Doug Putman fell through.

The Stockport Wilko store is one of six in Greater Manchester included in the Pepco Group deal; rival retailer B&M has also struck a deal for 51 stores nationwide, while The Range has bought the Wilko brand, saving 36 jobs, but none of its retail estate.

With Poundland already operating a store in Stockport town centre’s Merseyway Shopping Centre, it has not been confirmed whether both stores will remain open, or operations will move to the Stockport Retail Park site. In a statement by Poundland following the announcement of the sale, the retailer said it was looking to strike deals with landlords as soon as possible to reopen all 71 sites by the end of the year, and encouraged Wilko staff to apply for positions and will prioritise those staff who have lost their jobs in the recruitment process.

Poundland managing director Barry Williams said:

“In the coming weeks we will work quickly with landlords so we can open these stores as Poundlands with the new ranges that have been pivotal to our recent development.

“And once that process is complete, we will ensure a significant number of the Wilko colleagues will join our Poundland team.

“We know how valued Wilko colleagues have been in scores of communities across the UK and we look forward to offering them opportunities to join our family.

“We recognise the last few weeks have been difficult for them and we will move quickly to secure new consents from landlords so we can offer them the certainty they deserve.

“The Wilko stores will accelerate our existing transformation programme, offering amazing value for consumers, providing growth opportunities for suppliers and supporting employment in the high
streets, shopping centres and retail parks customers love.”

PwC’s Edward Williams, joint administrator, said of the Pepco Group deal:

“Alongside the previously announced agreement with B&M, we’re confident this sale will create a platform for future employment opportunities for people including current Wilko team members at up to 122 locations. We will continue to engage with other retailers around any interest in other Wilko sites and are confident of completing a sale of the brand and intellectual property within the coming days.”