A BUDGET retailer with 750 stores is set to close a beloved branch in hours – but it’s not all bad news for shoppers.
Customers were saddened to learn their B&M will be pulling the shutters down in Cockhedge Shopping Centre, Warrington, tomorrow.
But, bargain hunters will be pleased to hear the site, located off the A49 near Cockhedge roundabout, is being re-vamped.
A B&M spokesperson confirmed the store is closing to make way for a  “bigger and better” one.
The new and improved branch can be found at a former Wilko location in Warrington’s Golden Square Shopping Centre.
Staff welcomed customers in on Saturday, two days before the Cockhedge Shopping Centre store is set to close.
The handy schedule meant locals haven’t been temporarily left without a shop in the area.
A B&M spokesman said: “We wanted a bigger and better store for our customers, giving them even more big, branded products.
“We hope customers are going to be delighted with their new store, and we are really excited to get the doors open very soon.
“We are feeling extremely positive about the creation of more jobs or local people, and we hope customers are going to be delighted with their new store.”
It’s not the first time B&M has shut older stores in favour of opening bigger stores at newer sites.
In June, the discounter closed its store at Units 51-52 in the Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre in Oldham.
However, just days later, it was replaced by a bigger shop at Units 9-10 in the same retail complex.
It comes as the discount retailer announced in January it would be opening 17 new sites in 2024.
The industry giant currently has around 700 stores but has a long-term target of 950 sites.
Back in May 2023, B&M announced plans to open 30 new stores in the UK over the past year, including some relocations of older sites.
However, the retailer is taking things a step further this year with several former Wilko stores in its hands to play with.Â
B&M bought up 51 Wiko sites in a £13million deal in September 2023 when the beloved retailer fell into administration.
To open some new sites B&M has had to restructure its portfolio and this has meant some stores have closed.
The retailer has closed ten of its stores since February 2023.
SAVE MONEY AT B&M
The B&M barcode scanner app allows you to find discounted items before staff have even reduced them.
The scanner can be found on the B&M Stores mobile app, which you can download for free on your smartphone from the App Store or Google Play.
Once you’ve dowloaded the app, click the “scan” button at the bottom of your homepage.
This will bring up the camera on your smartphone, which you’ll need to use to scan barcodes.Â
When you’ve found a product you want, simply point your smartphone camera toward its barcode.
The app will then automatically bring up the price – this is when you’ll know if it is reduced or not.
Bargain hunters say some items come up as £1, 50p or even 10p through the app.
Shoppers should also keep an eye out for products with a white reduction sticker on.
This means they will have a certain amount slashed off the price shown on the label.
Shop for products at the end of the season.
Get friendly with staff too.
They’ll be able to tell you when the sales will hit, or if there are bargains out the back – so you get the best bits.
How to bag a bargain
SUN Savers Editor Lana Clements explains how to find a cut-price item and bag a bargain…
Sign up to loyalty schemes of the brands that you regularly shop with.
Big names regularly offer discounts or special lower prices for members, among other perks.
Sales are when you can pick up a real steal.
Retailers usually have periodic promotions that tie into payday at the end of the month or Bank Holiday weekends, so keep a lookout and shop when these deals are on.
Sign up to mailing lists and you’ll also be first to know of special offers. It can be worth following retailers on social media too.
When buying online, always do a search for money off codes or vouchers that you can use vouchercodes.co.uk and myvouchercodes.co.uk are just two sites that round up promotions by retailer.
Scanner apps are useful to have on your phone. Trolley.co.uk app has a scanner that you can use to compare prices on branded items when out shopping.
Bargain hunters can also use B&M’s scanner in the app to find discounts in-store before staff have marked them out.
And always check if you can get cashback before paying which in effect means you’ll get some of your money back or a discount on the item.