Poundland has announced it has made over 200 job offers to ex-Wilko employees as it begins getting its new leases assigned.

A spokesperson for Poundland has said the company is at the start of the process to get leases assigned and the company is moving “really quickly” to reopen Bicester’s Wilko store as a Poundland.

They added: “It’s our intention to complete the discussions with individual landlords by early autumn and reopen stores where we have an agreement with them, as a Poundland in the last quarter of 2023.

READ MORE: Late night businesses react to waste plant incident

“We have to complete those discussions with landlords directly first though, and that includes the former Wilko in Bicester.

“We’re working hard to agree terms in the stores where we have an option, then we’ll be able to update those working in the Wilko stores.

“We’re looking forward to employing a significant number of former Wilko people should we complete those agreements successfully.

“To date we’ve announced 20 locations where we’re opening and are proud to have made over 200 job offers to ex-Wilko people so far.”

Family-owned Wilko – which employed 12,500 staff and ran 400 shops - went into administration on August 10.

The retailer hired administrators PwC as it came under pressure from weak consumer spending and debts to suppliers.

PwC were forced to sell of Wilko’s assets after failing to secure a rescue deal for the whole business.

 

Read more from this author

This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1