Tameside college to take over vacant Ashton Wilko

The 19,000 sq ft unit, which has been vacant since 2023, will form a base for 350 students by September 2026.

Tameside Council said the decision to lease the former Wilko store to the college would kill two birds with one stone – helping to meet increasing demand for post-16 education and bringing footfall into the town centre.

The college plans to create eleven classrooms, additional examination space and ancillary accommodation as an extension to its current base next door.

Tameside Council’s executive member for lifelong learning and culture Cllr Leanne Feeley said: “Enabling spaces like this in our borough ensures that our young people can access a high quality, enjoyable and inclusive education, supporting them to reach their full potential. Not only is this great for our young people, it also supports our aims of reigniting our town centres.”

The move is subject to the college being able to secure additional capital funding and board approval.

Jackie Moores, principal and chief executive of Tameside College and Clarendon Sixth Form College, said: “We are excited about this opportunity as it allows the college to continue to meet the needs of more of our local school leavers at a time when the college has no space to grow further.

“The college has a longstanding relationship with the local authority and we have been fully supported by officers and elected members to ensure that more Tameside young people can access high quality educational estate.”

In 2023, Wilko closed 400 high street stores across the UK after entering administration in what was one of the most high profile retail collapses of recent years.

Across the North West, various former Wilko stores have now been snapped up. In Liverpool, XF Gyms will operate a 30,000 sq ft fitness centre out of the collapsed retailer’s former St Johns Shopping Centre store, while in St Helens furniture outlet Joseph James is now operating out of the chain’s former Baldwin Street unit. In Manchester Arndale, B&M took over from Wilko.