We shopped at Wilko but we’re glad it’s been replaced… high streets need all the help they can get
LOCALS who used to shop at one of the now-shut Wilko stores say they're glad it's been replaced.
The budget store giant announced in August that it had crashed into administration, shutting hundreds of branches in the months that followed.
But snapped up 71 across the country - including in Worcester.
And today the city's new Poundland has opened in Wilko's place, to the delight of shoppers.
One of the first customers to walk through its doors was Stephen Attwood.
The shopper, who lives in Warndon, said it was good to see some life being poured back into the high street.
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He told : "High street's have been struggling.
"We have usually had to go to the Malvern one. It's a big store.
"I'm glad it's open here, it didn't take them long to get it open."
Alex Ward, store manager of the new shop, said there had been many happy shoppers walking through the doors this morning.
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He said: "Customer response to Poundland coming back to Worcester has been extremely positive from the offset.
"Everything has gone extremely well, customers are delighted, and the team are all positive."
The Worcester store is one of 10 Wilko stores that reopened as Poundland today.
It already opened 10 stores last weekend but the reopenings have been pretty basic to begin as all stores will then receive a full makeover in 2024.
The shop mostly include Poundland items but also a selection of Wilko products that weren't sold during the closing-down sales.
Shoppers were rushing to get the last of the discounted goods in recent days.
Many stores have already shut down and the last remaining ones will close their doors tomorrow.
Customers have posted the great deals going in the remaining stores, with some locations offering a stunning 40 to 80% off.
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One customer shared: "Get yourselves to Norwich Wilko store... lights £5, floating shelves £3, dog stuff 75p. All sorts of shampoos, shaving gels are 50p to £1.50.
"Loads of bargains to be had quick."