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Former Norwich Wilko To Become 70 Flats

Friday, 21 August 2026 18:48

Plans to turn Norwich’s former Wilko and Poundland stores into 70 one-bedroom flats have been approved, with ground-floor shops retained.

Plans to transform the former Wilko and Poundland stores in Norwich city centre into 70 flats have been approved.

The large building at 48–72 St Stephen’s Street will be converted to provide one-bedroom apartments on its upper floors, while commercial space will remain at ground-floor level.

The property was originally built as a Co-op department store and was later divided into separate retail units occupied by Wilko and Poundland.

Wilko closed its Norwich branch in 2023 following the collapse of the national chain, while Poundland moved to another unit on St Stephen’s Street.

Nottingham-based developer ALB Group acquired the property earlier this year and says bringing the unused upper floors back into use will provide new homes while maintaining retail activity on one of Norwich’s main shopping streets.

The apartments are expected to be aimed primarily at young professionals, with the building benefiting from its city-centre location and nearby public transport links.

ALB Group says large vacant retail buildings can have a negative impact on town centres and believes introducing more residents alongside shops can help increase footfall and support surrounding businesses.

The scheme forms part of wider changes taking place around St Stephen’s Street as vacant and underused city-centre buildings are brought back into use.

 

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