Date set for Wilko’s to re-open in parts of the UK just months after it shut

The internet was alight when Wilko’s announced their stores would be returning, after dramatic weeks of closing down across the country.

“When you leave the group chat for attention then get ur friend to add you back,” “Starring Sheridan Smith, The Return is a gripping three-part drama about the rise, fall and unexpected return of the store,” and “This is exactly what they did with Neighbours.”

All 400 stores closed on the UK high street last month, with thousands of staff made redundant.

Wilko went in to administration back in August, leading to a load of – actually very sad - TikToks as workers said goodbye to their stores.

Understandably, a lot of them were pretty angry as well as gutted to leave their roles.

At the time chief officer Mark Jackson said: "While we can confirm we’ve had a significant level of interest, including indicative offers that we believe would meet all our financial criteria to recapitalise the business, at present, we don’t today have an offer that provides the necessary liquidity in the time we have available, given the mounting cash pressures we’re faced with.

Matthew Horwood/Getty Images

"Unfortunately, with this in mind, today we’re having to take the difficult decision to file a notice of intention.”

But, like something out of EastEnders, within less than a month of all the stores shutting down, on 27 October Wilko announced a return.

The name and intellectual property was bought by rival discount chain, The Range, following administration.

This surprise move was well, a proper surprise as X users couldn’t believe the rollercoaster of it all.

And today, the chain took to the site to confirm the first store opening dates.

Mike Kemp/In Pictures via Getty Images

Wilko stores in Plymouth and Exeter will open on 1 December and Luton on 8 December, with ‘plans to open more stores in the New Year’.

You’re also able to shop now online if you’re that desperate for some Wilko’s bits.

The chain also wrote on X: “We plan to give ex-wilko employees priority as a part of the recruitment process for the new stores.”

For the first time, Wilko will also be opening stores in Northern Ireland.

Users called these confirmed dates ‘great news’, as they begged for their local stores to re-open.

Reacting to the news of the high street chain’s return, other X users wrote: “Wilko pulled a Coleen Nolan.”

One also put: “This is my Easter Sunday.”

And another even wrote: “IT’S A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE.”

Topics: Shopping, UK News, Money, Ireland

Jess Battison

Jess is an Entertainment Journalist with a love of all things pop culture. Her main interests include keeping up with the Twitter girlies, waiting for a new series of The Traitors and losing her voice at a Beyoncé concert. She graduated with a first in Journalism from City, University of London in 2021 and has previously worked at MyLondon.

@jessbattison_