The 52 Wilko stores slated for closure next week as a result of the company’s collapse have now been identified. PwC, the administrators, have disclosed that 26 of these stores will cease operations on the upcoming Tuesday, with the remaining 28 set to shut their doors on Thursday, September 14th, due to the absence of viable offers for the entire company.
Unfortunately, over 1,000 employees are facing redundancy as the prospects of a rescue deal for the business remain uncertain. Among the affected locations are branches in Liverpool, Cardiff, Acton, and Falmouth.
Edward Williams, joint administrator at PwC, expressed the necessity of these closures and job losses due to the dearth of potential buyers for the entire business. He acknowledged the impact on both dedicated staff and the communities these stores have served.
Earlier this week, administrators announced over 1,300 redundancies, encompassing positions at the 52 stores as well as Wilko’s distribution and support centers. Employees at these affected shops were informed of the job losses at 10:00 BST.
While rival B&M has secured a £13 million deal for up to 51 of Wilko’s properties, the fate of the brand and approximately 300 more stores remains uncertain. A larger rescue package proposed by HMV’s Doug Putman has reportedly faced funding hurdles.
PwC stated that they are actively engaged in discussions with interested parties looking to purchase segments of the business, with a commitment to preserving as many jobs as possible. However, they also cautioned that further store closures might regrettably become necessary.
Wilko, a longstanding presence on the High Street for decades, entered administration in August due to financial challenges. With approximately 12,500 employees and 400 stores, the company was founded in 1930 and enjoyed substantial growth in the 1990s. Nevertheless, in recent years, it faced fierce competition from rivals like B&M, Poundland, and Home Bargains. Some other retailers, including Dunelm and Toolstation, have encouraged Wilko employees to consider applying for available positions.
The following stores will close 12 September:
Acton
Bishop Auckland
Cardiff Bay Retail Park
Falmouth
Harpurhey
Irvine
Liverpool Edge Lane
Westwood Cross
The following stores will close 14 September:
Avonmeads
Barrow in Furness
Basildon, Belle Vale
Cortonwood
Great Yarmouth
Morriston
New Malden
Queen Street Cardiff
Southampton-West Quay
