SHOPPERS were left heartbroken when Wilko collapsed into administration last year - but it wasn't the end of the beloved chain.
After failing to find a buyer, 400 shops closed and thousands of staff lost their jobs.
But since December 2023, the Wilko name has officially been back on the high street after new stores opened their doors to customers.
CDS Superstores, now trading as The Range and Wilko, revealed late last year that it was relaunching the chain across Britain's high streets.
Three old Wilko sites reopened and welcomed customers for the first time in December. These stores are located in:
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- Unit A, Armada Centre, Mayflower Street, Plymouth - opened December 1
- Unit 100, Guildhall Shopping Centre, Exeter - opened December 1
- 141/147 Arndale Centre, Luton - opened December 8
Two further stores will open under the Wilko branding in the Spring too.
These stores, located in St Albans, (The Maltings) and Rotherham (Parkgate Shopping Park), will welcome shoppers from 9am on Good Friday, March 29.
A spokesperson for Wilko previously said: "The new stores will offer shoppers everything they need to get all their home and garden jobs done."
The retailer has also revealed that its next store will be at the Dolphin Centre in Poole, Dorset, but the opening date isn't yet confirmed.
The announcement in Poole follows successful concept store launches in Plymouth, Exeter and Luton.
The new shops offer value items including cleaning and household, decorating and DIY, garden and seasonal products.
Shoppers can also snap up Wilko items via wilko.com, which relaunched in October.
Alex Simpkin, chief executive of Wilko, said: "The initial reaction to the new concept stores has been even better than we'd hoped, we've seen queues of both returning and new customers at the store launches and the feedback is giving us the confidence we need to continue with our store opening plans.
"We're in advanced negotiations with a number of landlords and are continuing to review all options as a part of our roll-out plan.
"Any interested agents or landlords should get in touch.
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"We'll continue to endeavour to give ex-wilko employees priority as a part of the recruitment process for the new stores."
Wilko fell into administration in August last year before a flurry of potential buyers expressed an interest in buying out the ailing business.
The retailer collapsed after being hit hard by inflationary pressures, competition from rivals and supply chain challenges.
However, a buyer could not be found for the whole business, and in September, the retailer announced all 400 shops would close that same month.
Several rivals swooped in to buy out some of Wilko's store portfolio though, including Poundland, which purchased 71 stores.
B&M also agreed to buy up to 51 locations as part of a £13million deal.
The brand had been scooped up by The Range in a £5million deal - meaning the name would live on.
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