'It's so nice to see TJs come back to Wolverhampton' - Shoppers delighted as swanky new discount store opens its doors

The much-loved store greeted smiley faces as they walked in to see what was on offer, with the first 50 people being given special envelopes containing gift vouchers of between £5 and £50. 

The shop opens after a 13-year absence, as the popular chain used to be where people can now see Frasers. with one customer saying of how great it is to see a shop that had closed come back to the city.  

Keys to the former Wilko building - which closed last year, 2023 - were handed to the firm's COO, Jason Harmer, two weeks ago and staff have been hard at it since getting everything sorted for when it finally opened its doors this morning.

Opening with a bang, there was an introductory prize-giving bonanza in the form of some valuable red envelopes filled with gift vouchers which varied in value and were handed out to the first 50 customers who walked through the door. 

Black Friday has come early with discounts on essential items like microwaves and air fryers, but as most will know, the store sells much more than just electrical appliances, with everything from home goods to perfume stocked on the shelves. 

The shop also created 26 new jobs for people in the region, which were all filled in time for today's opening. 

Michelle Hart, 41, who was the third customer to enter the store and a lucky recipient of a £50 voucher, said she 'loved' seeing the shop return, as she has fond memories of wandering around the previous branch years ago. 

The busy mum of twins, from Wolverhampton, has just moved house and said the voucher was 'perfect timing' for her as she can get a few bits off her list checked off. 

She said: "I'm so happy the shop is back, we see shops leave the city centre and never return, so it's brilliant to see a shop that had left, make a return, it means the city is attracting investment.

"I used to go to the old shop years ago and missed it when it left so yeah, really happy to see it make a return. 

"The voucher is the icing on the cake because my husband and I are moving so we can get some bits that we need."

Married couple Diane, 71, and Robert Finch, 71, from Wolverhampton, both got a voucher and were busy looking for some new 'smelly stuff' better known as aftershave and perfume, and were happy to see the shop return. 

Speaking earlier today on the shop floor, Diane, said: "It's great to see the shop come back to the city, we queued up for some vouchers and my husband is after some new aftershave."