Wilko to return to high street with FIVE stores set to open before Christmas

In some good news for retail, Wilko is set to return to the high street with five stores reportedly opening before Christmas.

The owner of The Range purchased Wilko’s website and brand following its collapse, and is set to revive it already.

It’s only been weeks since some Wilko stores closed, with the majority shutting their doors in September and early October.

Vauxford / Wikimedia

The first two Wilko shops are set to open in Plymouth and Exeter, however there are plans to open one up North.

The aim is to open up to five Wilko shops before Christmas, with the two in Devon followed by two in the South East and another in the North of England.

While the other three locations haven’t been confirmed yet, they are expected to be announced soon.

J Thomas / Geograph

The owner of The Range, CDS Superstores, has revealed that former Wilko staff will be given priority in the recruitment process for the new stores.

Chief executive Alex Simpkin said: “The public reaction to the loss of Wilko stores was undeniable.

“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.”

While the five shops are expected to be quite different – some single-level, other split-level as well as an out-of-town retail park – they won’t be pop-ups, but permanent fixtures.