‘Drop in shoppers’ forecast when Wilko leaves Shrewsbury's Riverside Shopping Centre
A businessman is predicting a decline in footfall at the Riverside Shopping Centre in Shrewsbury after Wilko announced it is leaving.
Ekbal Virdee, who owns the Meat Shack, said the news was a huge blow for the remaining businesses and the fight is now on to remain open.
Wilko, which specialises in selling homeware, stationery and decorating supplies, will be relocating to a new store in the nearby Pride Hill Centre. Work is currently ongoing at Pride Hill to accommodate the shop.
Mr Virdee said: “I know the move has been on the cards for a while now but I’d been told it had been put back so I didn’t expect it to happen so soon.
"Wilko was one of the reasons we took on the shop here last year. It’s always busy, there’s always four or five people on at the tills and queues of people. It was good for us because then those people come and see us.
“I’m expecting a drop in the number of people shopping here because Wilko brought in so much footfall - but we will put up a fight.”
Mr Virdee said he hopes Shropshire Council, which completed a £51.9 million deal to buy the town’s three shopping centres last week, fills the space when Wilko leaves.
However, leader Peter Nutting has confirmed there is currently no plans to bring in a new business.
He said: “As far as I’m aware the Wilko move has been planned for quite some time. All of the tenants have been given short term contracts because it’s always been everyone’s intention for Riverside to undergo a major development and the move is part of that procedure. I actually think it’s a good move.
“Shropshire Council has made no plans at this moment in time to do anything with Riverside.”
Earlier this month Councillor Nutting said it was likely the centre would be demolished and rebuilt as a mixed development.
