News: What's happening with the former Wilkos at Cortonwood?

The former Wilko at Cortonwood in Rotherham remains empty but the retail park's owners are taking steps to attract new tenants.

Administrators were called in to the British high-street retail chain in 2023 after it was hit by incredibly challenging trading conditions, both throughout the pandemic and more recently as it has felt the impact of the cost of living crisis, resulting in increasing cashflow pressure and a deterioration in trading.

A deal to save hundreds of stores fell through and instead, B&M was reported to be acquiring 51 former wilko store premises and Poundland owner Pepco is taking on the leases of up to 71 stores.

The Range then agreed a deal to buy the Wilko brand, website and intellectual property.

The new owners launched a concept Wilko store at Parkgate in Rotherham ealier this year, reopening in the closed unit, but nothing has come forward for Cortonwood.

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A planning application has now been submitted to alter the unit, which is listed as being "under offer" with agents.

Zurich Assurance Limited / Threadneedle Portfolio Services Ltd are seeking permission to split Unit 1 into two separate retail units for separate tenants.

The plans involve changing the frontage, replacing the current doors and signage with two new entraces and signs.

Rothbiz reported in 2022 that B&M wanted to make changes at underused units at Cortonwood Shopping Park. Securing planning permission, the retailer took on Unit 9, which was formerly occupied by Outfit, and Unit 8, formerley occupied by New Look, combining the units, adding a mezzanine and a new garden centre to rear.

Plans for the 98,000 sq ft development at Cortonwood were only passed on appeal at a public inquiry in 2013 after earlier being refused by Rotherham Council.

Images: Napper / Workman

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News: New stores opening in Rotherham

Two national retailers are celebrating the opening of new stores in Rotherham.

At the Great Eastern Retail Park in Parkgate, rapidly-growing nationwide pet superstore, Jollyes, is hosting an official launch event on March 22 and 23.

Jollyes has now grown into one of the leading pet food superstores with over 100 locations across the UK. It started in Enfield as a single store in 1971.

Known as "The Pet People," the Rotherham store is the 101st in the country and so the launch event has a 101 Dalmations theme.

The Mayor will be accompanied by 101 Dalmatians, Cruella De Vil, a Dalmatian mascot, a Jollyes mascot, Local Rotherham ‘Ambassa-dogs’ Fenrir and Daisy and the store team.

Two charities have been chosen and will be at the store fundraising on opening day are Sheffield Retired Greyhounds and Adoptapaws UK.

The firm says that the new store has created ten new jobs.

Regional manager Kerry Midgley said: “As a business that’s potty about pets, there was only ever going to be one theme for the opening of our 101st Jollyes store - 101 Dalmatians!

“We can’t wait to open our doors and would love to see Rotherham families bring along their Dalmatian dogs, or even Dalmatians toys, and enjoy a packed weekend of entertainment!”

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At Parkgate Shopping, wilko is set to reopen its Rotherham store on March 29.

The Range agreed a deal to buy the British high-street retail chain's brand, website and intellectual property after wilko fell into administration.

Opening in the same unit as before at 9am, the store will offer customers all the essentials needed to get their home and garden jobs done – great value wilko own-brand products, alongside popular named brands.

The first 50 people to enter the new store will get a goody bag.

The Rotherham site is one of the brand’s new concept stores and is among the first to open this year ahead of a continued roll-out of further store openings. When staffing the new store, priority was given to ex-wilko team members.

Ben Exall, Chief Digital Officer at wilko, said: “We’re delighted to see the return of wilko to the high-street in Rotherham. The team and I anticipate a great response from locals and visitors who are looking for all the products they need to get their home and garden jobs done.”

Jollyes website
wilko website

Images: Jolleyes

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News: The brands set to open at Parkgate in March

Next month is set to be a busy time at Parkgate Shopping in Rotherham, with new outlets, big store moves and the return of a familiar name.

Wilko recently announced that it was to launch a concept store in Rotherham, and new owners have now confirmed that the opening date will be Good Friday, March 29.

Rothbiz reported last month that recruitment was underway for a wilko after The Range agreed a deal to buy the British high-street retail chain's brand, website and intellectual property after wilko fell into administration. The store has already recruited a third of its team from among former wilko employees, who received prioritised interviews.

It was later confirmed that Wilko would open in Rotherham at Parkgate Shopping Park - on the site of the former wilko business.

Alex Simpkin, CEO of CDS Superstores, trading as wilko and The Range, said: “It’s clear that there’s a huge love for wilko and we’re proud that store doors will reopen in Rotherham very soon.

“We’re also glad to be bringing employment opportunities to the area, and for helping local families and communities to have easy access to all the everyday home and garden items they need once again.”

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Across the park, which was recently sold to Columbia Threadneedle Real Estate, work is well underway to bring a large vacant store back into use.

The Frasers Group has taken over what has previously been Homebase, Best Buy, Kiddicare and an outlet for JD Sports Fashion plc's outdoor brands - Millets and Blacks.

An updated set of plans from Frasers was approved by Rotherham Council last year allowing for the creation a partial mezzanine for a gym measuring 22,646 sq ft.

Fraser's Everlast Gym has announced that it is opening in Rotherham in March.

It is set to contain six unique group training concepts - HAYMAKER, HUSTLE, CRANKED, BREATHE, BACKBONE, and APEX to improve the strength, stamina and well-being of members. There's also a flavore bar serving freshly made smoothies, coffees and other post-workout fuel.

The main operator on the ground floor is to be Sports Direct and plans showed 6,000 sq ft of space on the ground floor for Fraser Group retailer, USC, along with smaller space for GAME and Evans Cycles. A 7,000 ft unit is also included which could be sub-let by the group.

The new development would mean the relocation of Sports Direct and USC which already have units at Parkgate.

The construction of a new £12m transport scheme at Parkgate is also scheduled to end in March 2024.

Work began at the start of 2023 on a new 800 metre road between Aldwarke Lane and both Stonerow Way and Stadium Way which is set to provide a second access route to Parkgate Shopping, via a roundabout between the two railway bridges.

Parkgate Shopping website
wilko website
Frasers Group website

Images: Google Maps / Everlast Gyms

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News: Wilko confirms Rotherham reopening

Rotherham has been confirmed as the next location in the national roll-out of new wilko stores by the brand's new owners.

Rothbiz revealed last week that recruitment for a new Rotherham wilko store was underway.

The British high-street retail chain was founded in 1930 sells homeware and household goods. The group, with headquarters in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, had 400 stores across the UK and approximately 12,500 employees.

Administrators were called in after it was hit by incredibly challenging trading conditions, both throughout the pandemic and more recently as it has felt the impact of the cost of living crisis, resulting in increasing cashflow pressure and a deterioration in trading.

A deal to save hundreds of stores fell through and instead, B&M was reported to be acquiring 51 former wilko store premises and Poundland owner Pepco is taking on the leases of up to 71 stores.

The Range agreed a deal to buy the Wilko brand, website and intellectual property.

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The retailer has announced that the next two new stores will be in St Albans (The Maltings), Rotherham (Parkgate Shopping Park).

Launch dates for the stores will be in spring 2024, with exact timings to be announced shortly, alongside news of further store openings.

The new wilko stores will offer shoppers everything they need to get all their homes and garden jobs done - wilko-brand products that simply help alongside well-known brands.

CEO of CDS Superstores, trading as The Range and wilko, Alex Simpkin said; “The initial reaction to the new concept stores has been even better than we’d hoped, we’ve seen queues of both returning and new customers at the store launches and the feedback is giving us the confidence we need to continue with our store opening plans.

“We’re in advanced negotiations with a number of landlords and are continuing to review all options as a part of our roll-out plan. Any interested agents or landlords should get in touch. “We’ll continue to endeavour to give ex-wilko employees priority as a part of the recruitment process for the new stores.”

wilko website

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News: Is wilko returning to Rotherham?

Having crashed into administration last year and closed all of its stores, including two in Rotherham, could the discount retailer's new owners be reopening a wilko store in the borough?

The British high-street retail chain was founded in 1930 sells homeware and household goods. The group, with headquarters in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, had 400 stores across the UK and approximately 12,500 employees.

Administrators were called in after it was hit by incredibly challenging trading conditions, both throughout the pandemic and more recently as it has felt the impact of the cost of living crisis, resulting in increasing cashflow pressure and a deterioration in trading.

A deal to save hundreds of stores fell through and instead, B&M was reported to be acquiring 51 former wilko store premises and Poundland owner Pepco is taking on the leases of up to 71 stores.

The Range agreed a deal to buy the Wilko brand, website and intellectual property.

Now bosses at The Range have begun a revival of the wilko name with the reopening of stores, and recruitment has begun for a wilko store in Rotherham.

Posted online by The Range, but marked "wilko", the firm is recruiting for a number of roles, including store manager, assistant manager, retail assistants, warehouse and cleaning roles. The company says that it is planning to recruit up to 80 local team members per store.

The Range currently has a Rotherham store in Parkgate. wilko stores that closed last year were based at Cortonwood and Parkgate.

As reported by Rothbiz, Rotherham Council acquired the building at 4 Corporation Street in January 2023 to prevent it from becoming a long-term empty building, after wilkos closed the store. It has since been demolished.

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Alex Simpkin, CEO of CDS Superstores, trading as The Range and wilko, said; “For the majority of its 93 years, wilko was an incredibly successful business that gave its customers exactly what they needed to get their home and garden jobs sorted. It was their advanced own-brand capabilities that encouraged us to invest in the brand and wilko.com and, we’re excited to now be selling wilko products online once more and across our 200 stores network.

"The public reaction to the loss of wilko stores was undeniable. It’s clear that there’s a huge love for wilko and we’ve seen an encouraging demand for the return of its own-brand products. That’s why we’ve taken the decision to reintroduce wilko back to many of the high streets and communities that it used to so proudly serve.

“Our team from wilko that joined us through the acquisition has shown true resilience, they’ve set to work to integrate the best parts of wilko into The Range’s operational systems. We’re expanding that team every day with new wilko hires and can’t wait to extend that back out to local communities.

“We’ll endeavour to give ex-wilko employees priority as a part of the recruitment process for the new stores.”

Under new owners, wilko recently opened its first three stores in Plymouth, Luton and Exeter.

Simpkin added: "This initial rollout is only the beginning for our plans for revitalising the wilko brand on the nation’s high streets and retail parks, and we’ll be announcing further store launches and re-openings throughout 2024.”

wilko website

Images: wilko / Facebook

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News: Closure date for remaining Rotherham Wilko store

The administrators of discount retailer, wilko, have confirmed when its remaining store in Rotherham will close.

The British high-street retail chain was founded in 1930 sells homeware and household goods. The group, with headquarters in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, had 400 stores across the UK and approximately 12,500 employees.

Jane Steer, Zelf Hussain and Edward Williams of PwC were appointed as Joint Administrators of Wilkinson Hardware Stores Ltd, wilko Ltd and wilko.com Ltd after it was hit by incredibly challenging trading conditions, both throughout the pandemic and more recently as it has felt the impact of the cost of living crisis, resulting in increasing cashflow pressure and a deterioration in trading.

With administrators investigating a potential sale, an offer being explored for the sale of hundreds of stores as a going concern fell through, leading to their closure being confirmed.

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The 20,000 sq ft wilko store at Parkgate Shopping is set to have its last day of trade on October 8.

It follows on from the store at Cortonwood Shopping Park, which is in the Rotherham borough, which closed on September 14.

Rival retailer B&M is reported to be acquiring 51 former wilko store premises and Poundland owner Pepco is set to take on the leases of up to 71 stores. The Rotherham stores are not on the list of those taken on by Poundland, and the B&M deal has not yet been detailed further.

The Range agreed a deal to buy the Wilko brand, website and intellectual property.

Nadine Houghton, GMB National Officer, said: “Wilko should have thrived in a bargain retail sector that is otherwise strong, but it was run into the ground by the business owners.

“Money was siphoned out of the business for dividends, warnings about what needed to be done to save the business were not heeded and advice around what the business to do to thrive was not listened to.

“No worker caused the downfall of Wilko. But they will be the ones who will suffer – all as the owners get off scot-free. GMB will not stop campaigning for the owners of this debacle to be held to account.”

Rothbiz revealed in 2014 that wilko was set to take a large unit that was vacated by electrical retailer, Comet at Parkgate Shopping. At the time, an agreement was reached with Rotherham Council and the retailer that would see the town centre store staying open for at least five years if plans for Parkgate were approved.

In 2022, even before giong into administration, the wilko on Corporation Street closed down. To aid town centre regeneration, Rotherham Council acquired the empty unit and the area has been earmarked as the potential location for a new theatre.

Images: Google Maps

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News: Rotherham Wilko store to close this week

After a purchase of discount retailer, wilko, fell through, the administrators have confirmed when stores will close, including one in the Rotherham borough.

The British high-street retail chain was founded in 1930 sells homeware and household goods. The group, with headquarters in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, has 400 stores across the UK and approximately 12,500 employees.

Jane Steer, Zelf Hussain and Edward Williams of PwC were appointed as Joint Administrators of Wilkinson Hardware Stores Ltd, wilko Ltd and wilko.com Ltd after it was hit by incredibly challenging trading conditions, both throughout the pandemic and more recently as it has felt the impact of the cost of living crisis, resulting in increasing cashflow pressure and a deterioration in trading.

With administrators investigating a potential sale, unions were informed by PWC this week that a previous offer being explored for the sale of hundreds of stores as a going concern had fallen through.

It means that all wilko stores are expected to close by early October.

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The wilko store at Cortonwood Shopping Park, which is in the Rotherham borough, has been given the last day of trading as Thursday September 14.

The store was one of a number of national retailers to open in 2017 where a vacant warehouse was demolished and replaced by 11 new retail units and a restaurant totalling 79,750 sq ft. The £36m retail development saw over 200 jobs created.

Since the development was completed, the units formerly occupied by Outfit New Look have been combined to create a new home store and garden centre for B&M - a retailer reported to be acquiring 51 former wilko store premises.

Despite another update today, the wilko store at Parkgate Shopping has not yet been given a closure date.

Andy Prendergast, national secretary of GMB Union, said: “GMB Union will continue to support our members through this process and will fight to ensure they are consulted as per the law and receive every penny they are entitled to.

“We will fight to ensure people are held accountable for this situation for the simple reason our members deserve so much better.

“GMB will not forget the incompetence that has led to this collapse and will we not forget the dividends paid to the millionaires who gambled workers jobs on their whims.“

Images: Google Maps

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News: Wilko, over and out

Wilko, the value general merchandise retailer, has announced plans to close 15 stores this year, including one in Rotherham.

The Worksop-based High Street chain confirmed that it had briefed its team members in Rotherham town centre of the decision to close the store because favourable lease terms cannot be agreed with the landlord.

The soon-to-be-vacated Corporation Street store is adjacent to the Forge Island regeneration site, where a mixed-use scheme anchored by Arc Cinema and a Travelodge hotel is being built.

A spokesperson said; “We have been looking at our options, but the reality is that we have been unable to reach an agreement with the landlord that makes this store commercially viable."

Rothbiz revealed in 2014 that wilko was set to take the large unit that was vacated by electrical retailer, Comet at Parkgate Shopping.

At the time, an agreement was reached with Rotherham Council and the retailer that would see the Corporation Street store staying open for at least five years if plans for Parkgate were approved.

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The town centre store is set to close in June 2022. The Parkgate store is unaffected by the latest announcement.

Jerome Saint-Marc, CEO at wilko, said: “Our history is steeped in serving our customers and communities going back to 1930 but there’s no denying the way people shop with us and where they want to shop with us is changing. As a business we’re evolving and this includes working with landlords for more favourable terms, as well as looking at locations and store formats. We’ll continue to pull together to make our business better to secure the future of over 16,000 team members.

“We’ll be doing everything we can to support our affected team members who will be offered any available positions in nearby stores. We apologise to customers but will continue to offer them everything they need in nearby stores or via wilko.com.”

Roger Jenkins, national officer at the GMB Union, said: "These closures are devasting for Wilko workers and the communities who use them. “It’s yet another nail in the High Street’s coffin and GMB calls on councils and landlords to review commercial leases and offer lower rents."

Last year, buildings next to wilko on Corporation Street were demolished as part of the Forge Island scheme. On the other side, the Mecca Bingo has closed permanently and proposals to create flats have been unveiled.

Rotherham Council has targeted Corporation Street and sites nearby for investment, eager to build on the catalyst Forge Island scheme which will host an 8-screen boutique style cinema, modern hotel, food and drink outlets and car parking.

Wilko website

Images: Google Maps

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News: Parkgate 100% let

Parkgate Shopping, the popular Rotherham retail destination, is 100% let but the closure of the large Kiddicare store has left a large whole in the portfolio of leading stores.

Owned by Hercules Unit Trust(HUT), which is advised by British Land and managed by Schroders, Parkgate Shopping is one of the largest retail parks in the UK, home to over 40 shops and attracting around seven million visitors a year. It is valued at over £100m to the trust via a subsidiary, the Rotherham Unit Trust.

As Rothbiz reported first, discount retailer, Poundland, has opened a 9,900 sq ft unit and Wilkinson, the value general merchandise retailer, recently took over the 20,000 sq ft, former Comet store.

British Land has now revealed that both retailers have taken ten year leases. Smith Young and Cushman & Wakefield acted for HUT.

Matthew Reed, senior asset manager for British Land, said: "We are delighted that Parkgate Shopping is now fully let, demonstrating the scheme's appeal to a broad range of occupiers. The addition of Wilko and Poundland enhances the attraction of the park, delivers more brands to our shoppers, and helps drive footfall."

The recent lettings follow on from Nike Factory Store and fashion retailers, USC & Blue Inc opening new stores.

In contrast, one of the largest units on the park, the 45,000 sq ft store occupied by Kiddicare, the retailer of baby products, recently closed. The award-winning online retailer was acquired by Morrisons in 2011 for £70m and was the first step in developing the Morrisons online business. However, the business was sold earlier this year for £2m to Endless LLP, a leading investor in non-core acquisitions, who promptly closed all but the original store.

Morrisons retains the leases in the former Best Buy stores and recently said that it is currently working to dispose of ten store leases.

The small Phones4u store also closed as the retailer entered administration this month.

Future plans at Parkgate, which is coming under threat from new out of town developments at nearby Great Eastern Way and at Cortonwood, include a new 4,000 sq ft Nando's restaurant to replace the current Pizza Hut.

Parkgate Shopping website

Images: British Land

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News: Wilko staying in Rotherham town centre

Wilkinson, the value general merchandise retailer, has signed a five year lease at its Rotherham town centre store as it prepares to open a new outlet at Parkgate.


Rothbiz revealed in March that the Worksop-based High Street chain is set to take the large unit that was vacated by electrical retailer, Comet at Parkgate Shopping, one of the largest retail parks in the UK.

Now an agreement has been reached with Rotherham Council that would see the Corporation Street store staying open for at least five years if plans for Parkgate are approved.

Modifications to previously approved plans are set to be signed off by the council's planning board that will allow Wilko to occupy part of the premises. The plan is to remove the restrictions on the Parkgate unit that permits only the sale of bulky goods.

In support of the plans, Wilkinson states that there are no more sequentially preferable sites available for the proposed use and that out of centre locations attract a different customer base, and rather than compete with existing in centre stores, would complement them.

Wilko operates town centre and out of town stores in a number of locations and believes that the two can coexist in relatively close proximity with success.

The supporting information goes on to say that Wilkinson has signed a five year lease on the town centre store.

In appraising the plans, a report to the council's planning board states: "A Unilateral Undertaking has been scrutinised by the Council and completed and this has the effect of securing the existing Wilkinson store within the town centre for a period of five years (from March 2014).

"It is considered that five years is a reasonable period of time and ensures that the store is not decanting from a town centre location to occupy a less sequentially preferable site in an out of centre shopping centre leaving a vacant unit in the town centre.

"Taking account of the sequential test and bearing in mind that the proposal will result in the occupation of a vacant unit which has been unsuccessfully marketed for a bulky goods use; it is recommended that the amendments to the Section 106 agreement be agreed."

Wilkinson website

Images: Wilkinson

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News: Wilko and out?

Wilkinsons, the value general merchandise retailer, is planning to take a 20,000 sq ft unit at Parkgate Shopping in Rotherham, a move which would create new jobs but could lead to an uncertain future for its town centre store.

The Worksop-based High Street chain looks set to take the large unit that was vacated by electrical retailer, Comet, with a planning application recently submitted for new signage at the empty unit.

Comet appointed administrators in November 2012 and as Deloitte failed to find a buyer, the Rotherham store at Parkgate Shopping closed in December that year. It was amongst the last of the 236 stores to do so.

Wilkinsons has only recently had plans approved for the replacement of signs at Corporation Street as part of a national rebranding to "Wilko" but Tesco is set to move across from that side of town to a new larger store by the end of this year.

Some retailers like Boots, New Look, Argos, Poundworld and WH Smith operate from both locations, whilst others like Marks & Spencer and Dorothy Perkins have closed their Rotherham town centre stores since opening at Parkgate.

Wilkinsons press office is yet to respond to a request from Rothbiz regarding its plans for the town centre store.

The council has confirmed Forge Island as the preferred site for a town centre cinema and theatre development. The council has an option to buy the site for £1.5m when Tesco vacate and move across town to the site of former council buildings on Drummond Street. In preparation for redevelopment, the council acquired a number of properties on Corporation Street including the Riverside Precinct, Chantry Buildings and the former Lloyd's bank.

Since JK Wilkinson opened his first general store in Leicester in 1930, "the home of family value" has successfully grown to 374 stores but an expansion plan target of over 500 stores by 2012 was scaled back.

Serving an average of 4.5 million customers per week, Wilko sells a wide variety of products focusing on homewares, cleaning, DIY, health and beauty, pets and stationary.

With a mission to "deliver extraordinary everyday shopping in the heart of the community," Wilkinsons stores are more commonly found on the High Street in town centres and in shopping malls.

In the 53 weeks to February 2 2013, the retailer recorded sales of £1.53bn and pre-tax profits were £27.5m, a 21% increase on the previous year.

Owned by Hercules Unit Trust, which is advised by British Land and managed by Schroders, Parkgate Shopping is one of the largest retail parks in the UK, home to over 40 shops and attracting around seven million visitors a year. It is valued at over £100m to the trust via a subsidiary, the Rotherham Unit Trust.

Recent openings include fashion retailers USC and Blue Inc, alongside a Nike Factory Store. Supported by agents, Smith Young and Cushman & Wakefield, only one unit on the park remains empty.

Across the borough at Cortonwood Retail Park, an occupier may have been found for the unit vacated by Dreams when the bed retailer was bought out of administration in 2013. A planning application has been submitted for changes to the layout of the unit as the unnamed "potential occupier of unit 2 requires full mezzanine cover."

Wilkinsons website
Parkgate Shopping website

Images: Wilkinsons / Facebook

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