National shopping chain set to takeover former Wilko store

A national chain is set to open a new store at a Swindon retail park, but its opening raises questions about the future of another store.

For months the Wilko at Greenbridge Retail Park has lain empty, following the firm’s administration and subsequent store closures.

But recently, activity has been spotted at the empty unit, with witnesses describing seeing the store being ripped out last week, ahead of the arrival of signage indicating what it would become.

This week, vinyl advertisements have been added to the windows stating that Superdrug looks set to open a store soon.

Further details on what exactly the new store from the pharmacy and beauty chain will feature, or when it might open, are not known.

But after a string of high-profile closures, this impending arrival will mean that the main area of Greenbridge Retail Park will be full, with Cancer Research UK, Poundland and Smyths toy store also recently filling empty spots.

In the other parts of Greenbridge, the arrival of Vue cinema which replaced Empire, and The Ridge replacing Frankie and Bennies now means that the only empty units are the former PC World, Laura Ashley and Maplins units, with the former set to be home to a new Hollywood Bowl, with work well underway there.

But the arrival of Superdrug in this part of town raises questions about the prospects of a long-awaited arrival of a store elsewhere in Swindon.

It had been previously confirmed Superdrug was due to take the place of the closed Sports Direct at the Orbital Shopping Centre in West Swindon.

The Sports Direct store, located in between a Card Factory and Boots, announced its closure just before Christmas, before eventually closing in January.

In the same month, Superdrug submitted a planning application to put branded signage on the front of the unit.

This was then approved by Swindon Borough Council planning officers at the end of the month.

But with no news since then, and the arrival of a large store nearby puts into question if the company plans to open two stores.

Unlike the Greenbridge store which has already had advertised installed, the Orbital store site remains completely free of any branding or posters.

Superdrug has been approached for comment.