Ashton defender to open superstore

It will be a spooktacular affair when Ashton United Football Club’s defender, Kyle Harrop, officially re-opens the Wilkinson store, situated on Market Place, Ashton, on Thursday 13th October, helping to unveil its eagerly anticipated makeover.

The store, which will be closed on Wednesday 12th October, will re-launch with an improved layout, new product ranges and a brighter, more modern, shopping experience.

To celebrate the retailer’s new look, Kyle, the club’s manager, Danny Johnson, Wilkinsons’ chief executive, Stuart Mitchell and store manager, Nick Whitehouse, will join eight long serving staff members, who have each been working for the company for 19 years, in cutting the ceremonial ribbon at 9am and declaring the store officially re-open.

During the Halloween themed event, it will be ‘love at first fright’ as customers will be entertained by Frankie Frankenstein, an impressive nine foot tall stilt walker. Early bird shoppers can also take part in a free lucky dip, where they will be in with a chance of winning a variety of quality products from the store, including shower gels from the beauty range and toys from the ‘New Toys’ range.

In memory of a staff member who recently passed away, representatives from St Anne’s Hospice will be hosting a raffle throughout the day to raise money for the charity, where a jam a packed hamper full of winter homewares, including cushions and candles, will be up for grabs.

Nick said: “We’re extremely excited about the store’s makeover and are looking forward to showing it off to our guests, Kyle and Danny, as well as our loyal customers.

“The store team has worked tirelessly to ensure everything is perfect for the opening day and the re-launch is a great chance for the local community to visit the store and take a look at the wide product range we have to offer.”

Celebrations will continue on Saturday 15th September, when representatives from the North West Animal Sanctuary will bring ‘Shamrock,’ a Eurasian eagle owl and ‘Thai,’ a Taiwanese beauty rat snake, to the store from 10am until 2pm to meet shoppers. A face painter will also be in store, transforming children into a variety of spooky Halloween creatures, including spiders, ghosts and witches.

A family owned firm after 80 years of trading, JK Wilkinson opened his first store, situated on Charnwood Street, Leicester, in 1930. The company’s portfolio has expanded significantly over the eight decades that have followed, and there are currently 361 stores across the UK, including 10 in Scotland.

Wilkinsons is launching an upmarket own-brand range, including more than 100 home and kitchenware products as it seeks to appeal to quality conscious customer. The range – named ‘Wilkinson’ – will launch in stores in the autumn, and will include items such as Egyptian cotton bedding, cooking utensils and glasses.

Serving over 178 million customers each year, and selling over 25,000 product lines, including health & beauty, gardening equipment, cleaning products and homewares both in store and online at WilkinsonPlus, Wilkinsons is dedicated to providing its customers with high quality products, choice and first class, friendly service.

Wilkinsons is committed to Britain’s high streets and prides itself on being a community focused retailer, actively supporting of local charities, community groups and care organisations, as well as its national charity of the year