GB Swimmer, Ollie Hynd Set to Make a Splash at Sutton-in-Ashfield Wilkinson Re-Opening

The store will be closed on Wednesday 27th June, and will re-launch the next day with an improved layout, new product ranges and a brighter, more modern shopping experience.

To celebrate the retailers new look, Sutton-in-Ashfield born, Ollie who has been selected in the GB squad for this summers Paralympic Games, will join Sue Mason, fundraiser from Ashgate Hospice, the stores new regional charity of the year, for the re-opening ceremony. Wilkinsons family director, Karin Swann, will also join the two guests alongside Wilkinsons head of property, Ian Cutts and store manager, Gary Elleston, in cutting the ribbon and declaring the store officially re-open.

Wilkinsons team members will hand out tickets to customers for entry into a free tombola, where they will be in with a chance of winning quality products from the store and to celebrate Ollies attendance, the first 100 shoppers through the tills will receive a free chocolate medal. To help get customers in the celebratory spirit, The Regency Dance Centre will be performing from 11am outside the newly refurbished store.

Team members from the store recently raised over £600 for its new charity of the year, Ashgate Hospice, which provides specialist palliative care (care to relieve pain rather than cure) both at the Hospice and within the community. To raise even more money, shoppers will be able to take part in a Guess the Number of Sports Mixture Sweets in the Jar game, where a jam packed hamper full of leisure and summer products, including picnic wares and suntan lotion, will be up for grabs.

Gary said: The re-opening day is set to be a great event, with free giveaways and entertainment. Were also really looking forward to showing off the stores makeover to our special guests, Ollie Hynd and Sue Mason from Ashgate Hospice.

An extra special thank you goes to our team members, who have helped to build every single feature and stock all the merchandise, they are working tirelessly to ensure everything is perfect for the re-opening day. 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.

As Sutton-in-Ashfield is home to the largest sundial in Europe, which is in close proximity to the store, the first 50 customers to walk through the tills will receive a free bottle of Wilkos Suncare moisturising lotion on Saturday 30th June. A free face painter will also be transforming children into fun characters from 10am until 4pm.

A family owned firm after 80 years of trading, JK Wilkinson opened the first store, situated on Charnwood Street, Leicester, in 1930. The companys portfolio has expanded significantly over the eight decades that have followed, and there are currently 368 stores across the UK, including 10 in Scotland.

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 Britains 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, Age UK.