POUNDLAND has issued an update on its progress to take over the Worcester and Droitwich Wilko stores.

Poundland owner Pepco has agreed to buy up to 71 Wilko stores following the collapse of the high street chain last week.

It includes the Worcester store which closed on the High Street on Sunday (September 17) and Droitwich branch which shut its doors for good on Thursday (September 21). 

PwC, administrators for Wilko, said Pepco had sealed a deal which will see the stores reopened under the Poundland brand.

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In a statement, Poundland said they are working across the next few weeks to agree terms with landlords and then will be able to update customers on the specifics and, most importantly, those working in the Wilko stores. 

It added that a date for when they will open the new Worcester and Droitwich Poundland stores will not be revealed until it has agreed terms with the landlords.

Poundland said its new lease agreements are set to be completed in “early autumn” and it aims to open the stores by the end of 2023.

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Workers at the stores will not be transferred directly as part of the move but Poundland said it will “prioritise” existing Wilko workers for roles when the shops are opened under the new brand.

Previously, Barry Williams, managing director of Poundland, said: “In the coming weeks, we will work quickly with landlords so we can open these stores as Poundland’s with the new ranges that have been pivotal to our recent development.

“Once that process is complete, we will ensure a significant number of the Wilko colleagues will join our Poundland team.

“We recognise the last few weeks have been difficult for them, and we will move quickly to secure new consents from landlords so we can offer them the certainty they deserve.”

The news Poundland had brought some Wilko stores came after administrators confirmed all Wilko’s remaining shop, warehouse and support centre workers are set to lose their jobs after failing to secure a rescue deal.

Family-owned Wilko employed 12,500 staff and ran 400 shops before it hired administrators early last month after it came under pressure from weak consumer spending and debts to suppliers.