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Wilkos has said there is no update on plans for them to move to a new store in the town.
Rumours have been circulating online that the store – whose building has been bought by Warwickshire County Council ahead of a huge redevelopment of the area – could be destined for the now empty TJ Hughes unit in the Ropewalk shopping centre.
CoventryLive approached Wilkos for a comment.
A spokesman for the company would not answer whether the store had plans to move to the former TJ Hughes unit, but instead said there was “no update” since it had last commented on the situation.
That previous statement said: “We’re aware of the early redevelopment plans being considered by Warwickshire County Council and are in talks with them.
“We’re committed to continuing to serve hard-working families in Nuneaton, and we’d like to reassure all our loyal customers that we have no plans to leave the town.”
The former TJ Hughes is the largest unit in the Ropewalk Shopping Centre.
As we previously reported in our newsletter, TJ Hughes has not reopened since lockdown.
A sign appeared in the window, which read: “This branch is now closed. The store manager and staff thank you for your custom.”
It goes on to add that the nearest TJ Hughes branch for customers in Nuneaton is now in Coventry.
Why Wilkos has to move
The current home of Wilkos in Church Street has been bought by Warwickshire County Council as part of the £19m plan to regenerate that part of town with a new library, cafe and business centre.
Wilkos has been based in the building for decades, having taken over from the former Sainsbury’s store.
Shire Hall bought Wilko’s building for £1.9m.
It was one of three buildings bought by the local authority in the street.
A spokesperson for Shire Hall said: “Warwickshire County Council, along with partners in the Transforming Nuneaton programme, have completed the purchase of Powell House, 1-2 Church Street (home of Wilkos) and 3 Church Street (location of Royal Mail sorting office).”
The three buildings cost a grand total of £3,698,000. The sorting office cost £1.3m and Powell House was priced at £498,000.
There is one more building along the row on Church Street which is currently home to the Black Swan in Hand pub.
A Shire Hall spokesperson said: “At this point in time, the pub is not part of the land assembly programme.”
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