Wilko’s Closure – Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre

Wilko store

Wilko’s has indicated they will be closing their store in the Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre in Autumn 2015. The store will be one of a number of stores closed nationally and the decision is said to be based on their perception of Rochdale Town Centre as a whole.

Discussions will continue to take place with Wilko as the Wheatsheaf Centre’s transformation continues.

Wilko’s decision has come at a time when Rochdale and the Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre are improving. The new Baillie Street entrance to the Centre is well underway, providing new lifts and escalators to make access to the centre and the other side of the town easier than ever. The new entrance will be the gateway to Rochdale’s regeneration zone, as the centre of gravity in the town shifts towards Rochdale's successful new transport links, as well as 450 surface level car parking spaces surrounding the Wheatsheaf.

Wilko has agreed to review the situation again once the redevelopment of Baillie Street entrance is complete (which will be the main pedestrian route through to the town centre from the new metrolink).

Debbie Hernon, who recently became Centre Manager of the Wheatsheaf after 14 years of being Rochdale’s Town Centre Manager, said: “Our vision for the Wheatsheaf is not a 'clone shopping centre', but a locally focussed offer which is unique to Rochdale and gives local people more of what they want.

"Our exciting new plans for the Wheatsheaf include a new budget gym, new value retailers and more independent traders, as well as events which engage and unite the town's community.

"We continue to believe in Rochdale as a place which is beginning to bounce back, and think the people of Rochdale are united in wanting to support a better, improved town centre which is a great place to live, visit, work and play.”

It is understood the Wheatsheaf is in advanced discussions to fill over 60% of the retail opportunities currently available. The repositioned offer is said to be "a vibrant retail and leisure environment which supports local traders and shoppers alike".

Richard Farnell, Leader of Rochdale Borough Council, said: “Rochdale is benefitting from unprecedented levels of investment. Our £250m town centre regeneration programme is underway, invested in a new education quarter, a new bus interchange, Metrolink and new leisure centre. The new shopping and leisure to be built on the site of the old bus station and municipal offices will transform our retail fortunes. I can’t name another borough in Greater Manchester which has seen this kind of money being invested. After a number of difficult years during which all town centres have struggled, all this investment is now starting to bear fruit.

“Only last week, Tetrosyl, the largest supplier and manufacturer of car care products in Europe, announced that they are bringing their head office to Rochdale, and with it a significant number of new jobs and investment. This is a clear indication of the confidence that is returning to our town centre, and we are expecting more businesses to follow suit in the coming months.”