Wilko has revealed it will be making a return to the UK’s high streets and retail parks with five new ‘concept stores’ before 2023 is out.
And one of those new stores is to open here in the North, the retailer has confirmed.
We all know by now that it’s been a turbulent couple of months for Wilko after it entered administration back in early September, with an initial outlook indicating that all the retailer’s branches nationwide would be forced to close and around 12,500 jobs would be left at risk.
But following this initially-crushing news, it was announced that Pepco Group, the company which owns Poundland in the UK, had managed to strike a deal with Wilko administrators PwC to take control of up to 71 store leases and convert them into Poundland branches by the end of this year – a process which has now already begun, with several in Greater Manchester having opened.
Wilko confirms new northern store as it outlines plans to reopen before end of 2023 / Credit: Wilko (via X)
It was then revealed a few weeks after that another retail competitor, The Range, had also swooped in and snapped-up Wilko’s website and intellectual property, meaning it would relaunch the brand and begin trading on thousands of product lines, both in its 200 stores and online, in the very near future.
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So while it originally looked like Wilko would be no more once the administration news was first announced, this has turned out to be anything but the case.
And now, the retailer has announced its biggest news yet – an actual return to the UK’s high streets and retail parks before 2023 draws to a close.
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Following the re-launch of https://t.co/9GmoPi78Zo 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.
Ahead of the nationwide roll-out of its new online store, Wilko has announced that five standalone ‘concept’ stores will open before Christmas, with the first two being in Plymouth and Exeter, closely followed by two in the South East and one in the North – the locations of which are set to be announced “imminently”, the retailer has revealed.
The new stores will offer shoppers “everything they need to get all their homes and garden jobs done”.
“Great value items” across categories including cleaning and household, decorating and DIY, garden and outdoor, homeware, pets and wildlife, storage, seasonal celebrations – such as Christmas – and more, are all set to be on sale.
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We plan to give ex-wilko employees priority as a part of the recruitment process for the new stores.
“The public reaction to the loss of Wilko stores was undeniable,” explained Alex Simpkin, who is the CEO of CDS Superstores.
“It’s clear that there’s a huge love for Wilko and we’ve seen an encouraging demand for the return of its own-brand products, so that’s why we’ve taken the decision to reintroduce Wilko back to many of the high streets and communities that it used to so proudly serve.”
He also added that CDS Superstores will “endeavour” to give ex-Wilko employees priority as a part of the recruitment process for the new stores.
Featured Image – Wilko
News
New Prime Minister Andy Burnham announces VAT cuts on household electricity bills over winter
Emily Sergeant
It’s been less than 24 hours since Andy Burnham officially became Prime Minister, and he’s already announced his first measure.
After giving his first speech as Prime Minister outside the doors of Number 10 yesterday, where he said he intended to ‘give people some breathing space’ straight out the gate, it has now been announced that millions of households across the UK will benefit from immediate action to help with their electricity bills this winter.
The Government says it wants to address the cost of living crisis first and foremost, and will do this by tackling rising bills with a tax cut to remove VAT from domestic electricity bills from 1 October, just in time to impact the next Ofgem price cap.
This immediate action applies and is funded for this financial year.
The cost of this immediate action for this financial year is being funded from the £1.8bn Digital ID programme – which Burnham also announced he would be scrapping.
Any further action – including on funding for longer-term measures – will be taken at the Budget, alongside an Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecast, and all decisions at that point will continue to be funded with the Government’s fiscal rules, it has been confirmed.
Cutting VAT on electricity bills is expected to take around £45 off the yearly Ofgem price cap in October, and this is on top of the £150 removed from bills at the last Budget.
All suppliers are expected to pass the VAT reduction on to all customers, including those on fixed tariffs.
Small businesses who qualify for the domestic energy VAT relief and are not registered for VAT, as well as charities and residential care homes eligible for the reduced rate, will also benefit.
“I said I wanted to give people breathing space, and that’s what I’m announcing on my second day as Prime Minister. We’re taking immediate action to cut taxes on energy bills, put more money in people’s pockets, and bring back hope.”
England international and ex-Manchester City manager Kevin Keegan dies at 75
Danny Jones
Football veteran and legend of the English game, Kevin Keegan OBE, has sadly died at the age of 75.
A former Liverpool and Newcastle player, not to mention England international, turned Manchester City manager and even Three Lions boss, his death was announced on Monday, 20 July.
The news comes following a battle with illness since the start of the year, after it was revealed that he was tragically diagnosed with stage four stomach cancer back in January.
The original ‘King Kev’ before the likes of De Bruyne, also affectionately known in the footballing world as ‘Mighty Mouse’, is said to have passed away with key members of his close family by his side.
Confirmed via a public statement issued to Sky Sports journalist Pete Graves, they wrote: “It is with immense sadness that we announce that Kevin Keegan has passed away at the age of 75.
“The former England player and manager had been battling cancer and was surrounded by his wife and daughters in his final moments. “Kevin, a double Ballon d’Or winner, was a much-loved husband, father and grandfather.”
Put simply, he had an incredible career and leaves a lasting legacy.
It goes on to read: “The family would like to thank Kevin’s incredible medical team for all their support. This is a hugely difficult time, and they are requesting space and privacy.”
Naturally, tributes are already flooding in online, with ex-pros, pundits and fans alike labelling him among England’s best-loved father figures and characters, with one user notably dubbing him as “one of football’s good guys.”
Former England captain and manager Kevin Keegan has died at the age of 75, after battling cancer.
The England, Liverpool and Newcastle United legend will be remembered as one of English football's most decorated players. pic.twitter.com/oNIPUV806n
Even at his fiery and most passionate best, he was still one of the most respected figures in the history of English football and the sporting world at large.
For instance, arguably his most iconic interview as Newcastle boss ahead of his team’s clash against Manchester United back in 1995/96 only showed how mild-mannered he often came across.
Our thoughts go out to his friends, family, former teammates and all those mourning the familiar face with a famously good head of hair.
Emily Sergeant -
30th October 2023 
