Former Lichfield Wilko to reopen as Poundland

The Walsall-based supermarket chain is opening 75 stores in the space of three months.

It is to to open or relocate at least 19 new stores by December – it’s biggest ever quarter of organic space growth.

By November 4 there will be 56 former Wilko stores trading as Poundland by 4 November with 19 opening over the next fortnight including the Bore Street store in Lichfield which first opened as a Wilkinson in 1977.

This month the discount retailer has also opened new stores in Telford at Forge Retail Park and Stafford at Queens Retail Park.

Austin Cooke, Poundland’s managing director said: “To open 75 stores in the space of a single quarter is nothing short of a super-human effort from every member of the Poundland team. To each and every one of them I say ‘thank you’.

“But we’re working at this pace because we’re on a mission –ambitious to grow, create jobs and serve new communities by opening shops customers and communities can be proud of.”

Poundland continues to prioritise former Wilko employees for roles in Poundland.

To date, Poundland has made offers of employment to more than 500 former Wilko staff,

Since opening its first store in Burton-upon-Trent in 1990, Poundland, has built a network of more than 800 stores in the UK and the Republic of Ireland.