Wilko to stay open during £150m Broadmarsh redevelopment

Wilko, the Nottinghamshire-headquartered retailer, is to upgrade its Broadmarsh store and stay open during the shopping mall’s £150m re-fit, the firm has told TheBusinessDesk.com.

It was widely assumed that Wilko, and other stores located near it in intu’s Broadmarsh shopping centre, would close as the redevelopment kicked off.

However, a spokesperson for the retailer says it will say open and undergo a refurbishment of its Broadmarsh store.

The spokesperson said Wilko is “supporting and working with the centre management throughout the future redevelopment of intu Broadmarsh”.

The spokesperson added: “Wilko are in discussions with the centre management to maintain uninterrupted trading for our store within the intu Broadmarsh shopping centre during the planned redevelopment.

“The timings and logistics have yet to be formalised but Wilko would like to reassure our loyal customers that we are hoping for ‘business as usual’ during the changes and are totally committed to Broadmarsh.

“As part of the overall redevelopment, Wilko will be making improvements to our store and shopping experience for our loyal customers.

“Wilko are supportive of the landlord’s plans and are excited for the resulting enhanced new shopping environment which we believe will ultimately benefit everyone.”

Last week it was revealed that two construction firms are vying to land the £150m contract to redevelop the Broadmarsh shopping centre in Nottingham.

Construction News reported that Laing O’Rourke and Bowmer & Kirkland will fight it out for the intu contract.

Intu development director Martin Breeden said a contractor would likely be picked by the end of 2017.