Six former Wilko stores in Greater Manchester are set to begin new lives as Poundlands after owner strikes deal to buy 71 outlets nationwide.
We all know by now that it’s been a turbulent couple of weeks for Wilko after it entered administration earlier last month, but after it was sadly announced on Monday (11 September) that all of the retailer’s outlets across the UK would be forced to close, leaving around 12,500 jobs at risk, it was confirmed yesterday that several dozen had been saved.
Only they won’t be staying as Wilkos, they’ll be reopening as another popular bargain retailer instead.
That’s because Pepco Group, the company which owns Poundland in the UK, has struck a deal with Wilko administrators PwC to take control of up to 71 store leases.
Six Greater Manchester Wilko stores are set to reopen as Poundlands / Credit: Poundland | Wilko
Lease assignments are expected to be completed in early autumn, according to Pepco, which means the some 71 stores will join Poundland’s existing 800-plus UK outlets before 2023 is out – with Poundland saying it intends to convert the stores over to its brand “as soon as is practical”.
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Pepco Group has also confirmed it will be offering employment some of Wilko’s former employees at the sites it’s taking control of.
The full list of 71 current Wilko stores that will begin new lives as Poundlands has been revealed by Pepco Group, and it’s good news for six Greater Manchester sites, as Altrincham, Bolton, and Eccles are among the towns set to get themselves a new Poundland.
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Sale, Leigh, and Stockport are the region’s other three Wilko sites that have been acquired.
Poundland intends to convert the stores over to its brand “as soon as is practical” / Credit: Poundland
Giving a little more insight into the takeover deal, Barry Williams – who is the Managing Director of Poundland – said shoppers can expect to see changes happen “in the coming weeks”.
He continued: “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.
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“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 [as] we recognise the last few weeks have been difficult for them so we will move quickly to secure new consents from landlords so we can offer them the certainty they deserve.”
Mr Williams said the addition of the 71 Wilko stores to Poundland’s portfolio will “accelerate our existing transformation programme” and “offer amazing value for consumers” on high streets, shopping centres, and retail parks nationwide.
Featured Image – Poundland
Shopping
Popular Manchester-founded bridal brand to host its biggest-ever sample sale THIS weekend
Daisy Jackson
A popular bridal brand that was founded here in Greater Manchester is hosting its biggest ever sample sale this weekend.
Six Stories is known for its modern bridal wear that covers everything from hen do, to getting ready pyjama sets, to the big day itself.
It’s known for its cool aesthetic, featuring clean silhouettes, slogan t-shirts, lace details, and embroidered veils.
While the contemporary bridal wear brand is stocked inside Selfridges, most of us have shopped its collections digitally.
So the Six Stories sample sale this weekend will be a chance to get hands-on with the brand, and potentially bag a real bargain.
Six Stories will host its biggest-ever sample sale in Manchester
There’ll be a wide range of items, from bridesmaid dresses to bridal accessories, on sale at the ‘best prices we’ve ever done’.
Six Stories will be filling Victoria Warehouse with thousands of fashion pieces and accessories.
It’s all taking place at the Grade II-listed former swimming baths on 16 and 17 May, between 10am and 5pm.
You don’t need a ticket – just turn up. Find out more here.
Manchester Storm’s ‘own and loan’ scheme returns for 2026/27
Danny Jones
Manchester Storm have relaunched their much-loved ‘own and loan’ programme once again ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Having gone from a cult favourite option for die-hards to an increasingly popular choice among their growing number of supporters, it’s a great way for fans to get their hands on what could go on to be priceless collectables.
Set up over a decade and a half ago, the initiative has gone on to be replicated by multiple clubs in the Elite Ice Hockey League, across the country, and indeed beyond.
For anyone unclear on what exactly this scheme means for them, here’s all you need to know.
The own and loan sponsorship is essentially an opportunity not only to support the club and your favourite player, but to essentially reserve a valuable piece of match-worn memorabilia.
Put simply, fans can buy a squad member’s jersey and then loan it back to them for the season.
The shirt – be it home, away, created for cup tournaments or a special limited-edition sweater (of which MCR Storm have designed many over the years) – will then be worn throughout the course of the campaign before being given back to the owner, i.e. you.
Not just simply buying the shirt, but helping back the team’s talent, it’s one of the most direct ways people can contribute to the club.
The Greater Manchester side pioneered the push for this initiative here in the UK in the early 2010s, and with the local side now set to return to the AO Arena, where their journey began way back in 1995, you can expect plenty to mark the comeback with a special sponsored jersey.
Anyone who purchases an away strip will have their name featured throughout home games for the duration of the season – not a bad gift or way to secure a potential future collectors’ item.
You can see every player available to sponsor and find out all the information you need right HERE.
For regular matchgoers at the ‘Storm Shelter’, we’re sure it’ll be bittersweet to say goodbye to Planet Ice Altrincham, but just how excited are you about heading home to the AO Arena later this year?
Emily Sergeant -
13th September 2023 
