200 former Wilko staff who were sadly made redundant as the business entered administration have been offered jobs at Poundland.
And we absolutely love to see it.
We all know by now that it’s been a turbulent couple of weeks for Wilko after it entered administration back in early September, but after it was sadly announced back that all of the retailer’s outlets across the UK would be forced to close, leaving around 12,500 jobs at risk, a glimmer of hope was offered – and that glimmer of hope was that several dozen stores had been saved.
That’s because Pepco Group – the company which owns Poundland in the UK – managed to strike a deal with Wilko administrators PwC to take control of up to 71 store leases.
The firm also announced plans to covert the 71 stores into brand-new Poundland branches.
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Poundland has offered jobs to 200 Wilko staff who were made redundant / Credit:
The several dozen stores, including six in Greater Manchester, have already begun the process of converting over – with all set to have started new lives as Poundlands before 2023 is out.
At the time of the takeover, Pepco Group was quick to say that it would be offering roles to some of Wilko’s former employees at the sites it is taking control of, but this week, the company’s finally delivered on that promise.
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It’s revealed that 200 ex Wilko staff members have now been offered jobs at newly-converted Poundland stores.
It comes as 71 former Wilko branches have begun the process of converting into new Poundlands / Credit: Poundland
Poundland’s managing director, Austin Cooke, reinforced that the company is keen to “prioritise” former Wilko staff throughout the takeover.
“Our people make Poundland special,” Mr Cooke explained.
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“Last week, they did an amazing job to turn ex-Wilko stores into brand new Poundlands in just six days, and the size and scale of what they’ve achieved has been nothing short of phenomenal, but they worked hard because we meant what we said about moving quickly to create jobs for Wilko colleagues”.
He added that staff would “pull out all the stops” throughout 2023, and particularly in an attempt to “repeat that feat” as they open another 10 stores this weekend.
Mr Cooke continued: “I know from meeting our new colleagues from Wilko, how delighted they were to welcome customers old and new back to their store last weekend, and that’s inspiring us to keep the pace up.
“We want to bring the amazing value [Poundland] promises to more high streets.”
Featured Image – Wilko (via X)
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Classic FM will be back playing calming music for anxious pets this Bonfire Night
Emily Sergeant
Classic FM will be back playing calming music for anxious pets during this year’s fireworks season.
Bonfire Night may be loved by us humans for the spectacular firework displays and all the festive-themed activities that come along with it… but sadly, the November holiday isn’t quite so fun for our four-legged friends.
Loud bangs, flashing lights, and unpleasant strong smell of spent explosives are just some of the reasons why fireworks are frightening to pets.
Not only that, but with multiple bangs occurring from numerous displays across this time of year, pets are rarely able to pinpoint when and where the booming explosions are coming from, therefore creating even more anxiety around this time of year.
Classic FM will play calming music for anxious pets during this year’s fireworks / Credit: DESIGNECOLOGIST (via Unsplash)
Which is why, for the ninth year running now, Classic FM is once again teaming up with the RSPCA for two Pet Classics programmes packed with ‘the most soothing and comforting classical music’.
The music has been handpicked to help calm and settle any anxious pets.
A survey by the RSPCA revealed that almost two-thirds (63%) of animal owners reported their pet was distressed during fireworks season, and that playing relaxing music was the most common way (36%) to help calm or prepare their animal.
Presenters Dan Walker, Aled Jones, and Dawn O’Porter will each host a night of the specially created programme to help keep the nation’s pets calm through the whizzes and bangs.
Dan will present the first programme on Bonfire Night itself (Thursday 5 November), and then as celebrations continue throughout the weekend, Aled will be on hand to bring some peace to Friday 6 November, and Dawn picks up the baton on Saturday 7 November.
All three Pet Classics programmes will be broadcast from 5pm to 10pm, and you can listen on Classic FM or Global Player available across the UK.
Featured Image – The Manc Group
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What is the UK’s national dish? New survey reveals Brits’ pick in landslide victory
Emily Sergeant
If you’ve ever thought to Google the question ‘what is Britain’s national dish?’, then you probably came away thinking it’s chicken tikka masala.
But is that actually the truth? A new survey has disproved the claim, massively.
There’s no denying that chicken tikka masala – an Indian curry that’s actually widely thought to have been created in Britain – is a popular dish that’s loved by many, but despite what many headlines have claimed over the years, a new YouGov survey has revealed it’s not what Brits consider to be the country’s ‘national dish’.
YouGov conducted two online surveys earlier this month, made up of 2,079 and 2,104 adults aged 18+ living in Great Britain.
And, in their own words, Brits chose fish and chips as the country’s national dish, making it the ‘resounding’ winner with 49% of the vote.
What is the UK’s national dish? A new survey has revealed Brits’ pick in a landslide victory / Credit: The Manc Group
With nearly half of the overall vote, this puts fish and chips far ahead of the roast dinner in second place, which only 24% of people picked – including the 6% who made sure to specify a beef roast.
In fact, only 3% of Brits actually name chicken tikka masala as the UK’s national dish, although 52% in the survey did confess that they eat some form of curry at least once a month, so it is still a popular pick regardless.
Fish and chips is by far the most common answer across all generations too, according to the survey (45-50%), with the biggest difference between age groups being that 18-24 year olds are less likely to have nominated roast dinner and more likely to have chosen chicken tikka masala instead.
What do Brits say is the UK’s national dish?
Fish and chips – 49%
Roast dinner – 24%
Chicken tikka masala – 3%
Curry (non-specific) – 2%
Full English breakfast – 2%
Bangers and mash – 1%
Cottage or shepherd’s pie – 1%
Other – 3%
Don’t know – 15%
The survey also showed that, of the three top contenders for the UK’s national dish, roast dinners are the most frequently eaten, as 52% of people said they eat them on a monthly basis – including 16% who do so every week.
Aside from the frequently mentioned dishes, some survey respondents also gave shoutouts to the full English breakfast (2%), bangers and mash (1%), and cottage or shepherd’s pie (1%).
Emily Sergeant -
5th October 2023 
