WORCESTER’S Wilko will be handed a new lease of life as a Poundland, the discount giant’s owners has revealed.
Pepco Group, which owns Poundland in the UK, is expected to convert up to 71 Wilko stores – including stores in Worcester and Droitwich – to the Poundland brand.
The discount giant has taken on the lease of the vast High Street store less than 24 hours after administrators PwC confirmed when Wilko would close its doors in the city.
After closing to customers on Sunday (September 17), staff have been told their last day of employment will be next Tuesday (September 19)
But they have been handed a potential lifeline with Poundland boss Barry Williams saying the last few weeks had been difficult for Wilko workers.
In a statement, the company said that Wilko staff would have priority when applying for new jobs at the Poundland shops.
Wilko fell into administration in August as it struggled with sharp losses and a cash shortage.
It was founded in 1930 and by the 1990s became one of Britain’s fastest-growing retailers.
But the discount chain has faced strong competition from competitors including B&M, Poundland and Home Bargains, as the high cost of living has pushed shoppers to seek out bargains.
