Wilko is 'interested' in opening new stores across Norfolk

Wilko closed its stores in Norwich, Thetford, King's Lynn, Dereham and Great Yarmouth last year after collapsing into insolvency in the face of growing debts and weak consumer demand.

The retailer has since begun to reopen stores around the country after the parent firm of The Range, CDS Superstores, bought the Wilko brand for £5m.

CDS plans to open more Wilko stores this year, offering shoppers Wilko-brand products alongside other well-known brands.

READ MORE: Bernard Matthews halting operations at key Norfolk site

The Wilko store in the Market Gates shopping centre in Great Yarmouth was among the closures (Image: Denise Bradley)A representative for Wilko said: "We have ambitious plans at Wilko to open stores across the country to serve our local communities once again and are considering hundreds of towns and locations.

"No stores have yet to be confirmed in Norfolk, however we’re interested in discussing opportunities for new stores in the county and across the UK, and welcome conversations with any landlords looking for exciting new retail tenants."

The homeware retailer announced it was going into administration in August, putting 12,500 jobs at risk. 

Administrators for the business sold off a many of the company’s assets, including up to 71 stores to become Poundland shops, and up to 51 stores to reopen under rival discounter B&M.