Part of the ceiling has collapsed at the former Wilko store in Eccles Town Centre.
It happened just a matter of hours after the store re-opened as a Poundland franchise.
The store opened on Saturday September 30 and has been tipped to be a success due to the location directly in the heart of Eccles Town Centre. But problems struck almost instantly as some parts of the store were closed off due to a damp ceiling which in turn caused it to collapse.
It happened shortly before the store was due to close and end its first day of trading. Staff could be seen clearing debris from the floor where the collapse happened.
The company has made an acknowledgement that some of their new stores need updating and renovating.
There were various other problems with the store including small puddles of water on the floor in some areas and some shelves not fully stocked yet. It remains a work in progress, but the store is still open to the public.
Retail Director of Poundland, Darren Kay, said: “We would encourage our old and new customers to come and say hello to the store and our new team. We are pleased to have opened so quickly, as we know customers will appreciate the store staying open, trading and employing colleagues, to one having its shutters close.”
The store will receive a full makeover in 2024, so it can become a standard operational Poundland store.
The Wilko store that had been operating in its place before Poundland was trading for many years in Eccles, until the company had to close most of its doors, as the hardware giant fell into administration due to the difficult trading conditions post pandemic.
Wilko Company CEO, Mark Jackson, commented: “Management would work with administrators to preserve as many jobs as possible.” This seems to be the case in Eccles as the new Poundland store has taken on 13 Wilko employees to carry on working in the store.
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