Ex-Wilko store takeover by Poundstretcher a 'real positive' for Ipswich

Poundstretcher has taken over the former Wilko site on Upper Brook Street in Ipswich, Suffolk

The announcement that a former Wilko store will be taken over by Poundstretcher is a major boost for a town centre, a council leader said.

The Ipswich branch, on Upper Brook Street, closed in October after the chain fell into administration.

The store will open as a Poundstretcher on Friday, with some former Wilko staff set to return.

"This is a real positive for our High Street," said Ipswich Borough Council leader Neil MacDonald.

"This move from a big retailer is proof that the High Street has something to offer people living and visiting Ipswich.

"We hope this move will attract more businesses to the town centre in 2024."

Revive town centre

The news came days after Poundland in Sailmakers shopping centre announced its closure, with the store moving out of town to Copdock Mill Interchange.

In October, Ipswich Borough Council announced plans to spend £13m on projects to revive the town centre, including buying vacant buildings.

The former H&M site on Tavern Street has been vacant since November 2022, and the Debenhams department store has been empty since May 2021.

Work has begun at the site to transform it into a new store

It is the fifth Wilko site to be taken over by the company, and retail director Jim Bow said: "It all happened very quickly.

"We're trying to get as many of these stores as possible, so sometimes we only get three to four weeks notice."

Mr Bow said Poundstretcher has retained many of the Wilko's staff and "will continue to do so" as they open further sites in the future.

"It's great because customers do come back to the unit and they see the same faces," he said.