Final touches added to former Wilko building ahead of Poundland store opening this weekend

The final touches are being made to convert the old Wilko store in Nottingham Street to a Poundland following a collapse of the high street retailer.

The discount chain will open 10 newly converted shops in Melton Mowbray, Matlock, Chepstow, Nottingham, Worcester, Ellesmere Port, Brigg, Redruth, Ferndown and Pontypool tomorrow.

It follows the retailer agreeing to take on 71 of Wilko's store leases from administrators PwC earlier this month.

The final touches are being made to convert Melton's Wilko store in to a Poundland. Photo: NEMM

Managing director Austin Cooke said: “Our people make Poundland special and last week they did an amazing job to turn ex-Wilko stores into brand new Poundlands in just six days – 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. And that’s why we’ll pull out all the stops to repeat that feat and open another 10 stores this weekend.

A full 'Poundland makeover' will take place in 2024. Photo: NEMM

“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 and bring the amazing value we promise to more high streets this Saturday.

“And while it will take a little time to get the converted Wilkos quite as we’d like, by opening swiftly we’re protecting jobs, adding amazing value to the high street, and putting more stores and products closer to our customers when they need it most.”