While The Range was previously suggested as a potential candidate to take over the former Wilko site at 48-72 St Stephens Street, recent developments indicate other changes for the area: [3, 4, 5]
* Wilko Site Status: The large building that formerly housed Wilko and Poundland was purchased in March 2026 by the Nottingham-based developer [ALB Group](https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/25921674.former-home-wilko-poundland-norwich-bought-firm/). The developer intends to "breathe life" back into the landmark, but specific retail tenants have not yet been named.
* Existing Norwich Branches: The Range currently operates two major "superstores" on the outskirts of the city:
* Longwater Retail Park (Unit F, Alex Moorhouse Way).
* Hall Road (Neatmarket Retail Park), which opened as a second city location in late 2022.
* Other St Stephens Changes:
* Poundland has relocated to a massive new 15,500 sq ft site at 23-29 St Stephens Street (the former BHS/Primark building).
* Pepe’s Piri Piri and Chaiiwala have taken over the former Yours Clothing unit.
* Merkur Slots is set to occupy part of the former Argos store. [1, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12]
Are you looking for a specific type of item from The Range that you're hoping to find closer to the city centre?
[1] [https://www.therange.co.uk](https://www.therange.co.uk/stores/norwich/)
[2] [https://www.google.com](https://www.google.com/search?q=The%20Range%20moving%20to%20St%20Stephens%20Street%20Norwich#:~:text=Find%20out%20about%20the%20available%20transportation%20options%20for%20your%20trip%20on%20Google%20Search.)
[3] [https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk](https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/23840811.7-things-want-see-open-former-norwich-wilko/)
[4] [https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk](https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/25921674.former-home-wilko-poundland-norwich-bought-firm/)
[5] [https://www.edp24.co.uk](https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/25359454.changes-st-stephens-street-shopfront-norwich-approved/)
[6] [https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk](https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/25455129.signs-chaiiwala-cafe-st-stephens-street-norwich/)
[7] [https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk](https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/25324450.still-no-buyer-former-wilko-poundland-sites/)
[8] [https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk](https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/23179700.range-opens-new-norwich-superstore-hall-road/#:~:text=The%20Range%20is%20opening%20its%20second%20city,advantage%20of%20exclusive%20offers%20until%20Christmas%20Eve.)
[9] [https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk](https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/24221903.huge-new-poundland-store-opens-norwich-city-centre/)
[10] [https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk](https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/24211758.poundland-open-one-largest-stores-norwich/)
[11] [https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk](https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/25529135.signs-go-new-restaurant-st-stephens-street/)
[12] [https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk](https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/24697834.merkur-slots-coming-st-stephens-street-norwich/)
The primary connection between the ALB Group and The Range is their recent shared history with former Wilko and Homebase properties, though they operate in different capacities as landlord/developer versus retail tenant. [1]
## Key Connections
* Property Acquisition in Norwich: ALB Group recently purchased the former [Wilko and Poundland building](https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=/g/1tkjkgn7&q=what+connection+has+ALB+Group+from+Nottingham+has+to+The+Range+stores+) (48-72 St Stephens Street) in March 2026. While there were rumours of The Range moving into this city-centre spot, ALB Group has currently signed a temporary lease with a different discount homeware company, Home Values, for the former Poundland section.
* The Wilko Brand Link: The Range's parent company, CDS Superstores, acquired the Wilko brand and intellectual property after its collapse. Because ALB Group specialises in buying "underperforming" high street assets—specifically former department stores and Wilko sites—they frequently negotiate with the brands managed by CDS Superstores.
* Similar Regeneration Projects: ALB Group has a history of taking over large, vacant retail spaces (like former M&S or Wilko stores) in cities such as [Wolverhampton](https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=/m/0k5p1&q=what+connection+has+ALB+Group+from+Nottingham+has+to+The+Range+stores+), [Nottingham](https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=/m/09tlh&q=what+connection+has+ALB+Group+from+Nottingham+has+to+The+Range+stores+), and [Huddersfield](https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=/m/013wf1&q=what+connection+has+ALB+Group+from+Nottingham+has+to+The+Range+stores+). In these projects, they often seek "anchor" retailers similar to The Range to revitalise the area. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]
## Current Status of The Range in Norwich
As of April 2026, The Range has not officially confirmed a move to ALB Group's St Stephens Street site. Instead:
* The Range continues to focus on its large superstores at [Longwater](https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=/g/1tjdw58w&q=what+connection+has+ALB+Group+from+Nottingham+has+to+The+Range+stores+) and [Hall Road](https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=/g/11tdxg4rtz&q=what+connection+has+ALB+Group+from+Nottingham+has+to+The+Range+stores+).
* The parent company, CDS Superstores, is currently prioritising the conversion of up to 70 former Homebase locations into "The Range Superstores" throughout 2025 and 2026. [11, 12]
Would you like to know about any other retailers confirmed for the new ALB Group development on St Stephens Street?
[Rich media excluded from paste]
[1] [https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk](https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/25987299.former-poundland-norwich-become-home-values-shop/)
[2] [https://www.theretailbulletin.com](https://www.theretailbulletin.com/shopping-centres-and-retail-parks/huddersfield-retail-scheme-acquired-by-alb-group-23-06-2022/)
[3] [https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk](https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/25921674.former-home-wilko-poundland-norwich-bought-firm/)
[4] [https://www.edp24.co.uk](https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/25987299.former-poundland-norwich-become-home-values-shop/)
[5] [https://www.retailsector.co.uk](https://www.retailsector.co.uk/663303-the-range-to-open-at-three-former-homebase-stores-in-january/)
[6] [https://www.retail-week.com](https://www.retail-week.com/home-and-diy/the-range-is-set-to-open-first-new-superstores-following-homebase-acquisition/7047816.article#:~:text=The%20Range%20is%20set%20to%20open%20first,70%20of%20its%20UK%20stores%20last%20month.)
[7] [https://albgroup.co.uk](https://albgroup.co.uk/news)
[8] [https://www.business-live.co.uk](https://www.business-live.co.uk/commercial-property/nottingham-developer-alb-group-buys-24253645)
[9] [https://www.theretailbulletin.com](https://www.theretailbulletin.com/shopping-centres-and-retail-parks/huddersfield-retail-scheme-acquired-by-alb-group-23-06-2022/)
[10] [https://www.insidermedia.com](https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/developer-snaps-up-iconic-east-midlands-department-store-talks-ongoing-with-major-retailer-to-occupy-the-site)
[11] [https://www.insidermedia.com](https://www.insidermedia.com/news/national/the-ranges-parent-details-plans-for-urther-new-format-superstores-following-homebase-acquisition)
[12] [https://www.insightdiy.co.uk](https://www.insightdiy.co.uk/news/the-range-announces-next-new-format-stores-following-homebase-acquisition/14586.htm)
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