Next week marks the start of the closure process for 52 Wilko stores, as administrators were unable to secure a full rescue deal for the chain with more than 400 locations across the UK, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), the appointed administrators.
PwC, overseeing the insolvency since last month, confirmed that discussions continue with interested parties regarding the potential acquisition of the remaining segments of the business.
In a significant development, rival retailer B&M yesterday completed the purchase of 51 Wilko stores, valued at approximately £13 million.
Administrators have issued a warning, stating that “it is possible that further store closures may regrettably be necessary,” contingent on ongoing negotiations with prospective buyers.
Regrettably, team members working at the affected stores will face redundancy as a result of these closures.
Edward Williams, joint administrator, expressed his regret, saying, “In the absence of viable offers for the whole business, very sadly store closures and redundancies of team members from those stores are now necessary.”
Williams went on to add, “The loss of these stores will be felt not only by the team members who served them with such dedication, including through the uncertainty of recent weeks, but also the communities which they have been a part of.”
These job cuts come in addition to the previously announced loss of 269 positions at the chain’s support centre in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, along with 14 roles at Wilko subsidiary Kin Limited at the end of the previous month.
The initial set of closures is scheduled for Tuesday, 12th September, and includes stores such as Acton, Aldershot, Barking, and more.
A subsequent batch of closures is slated for Thursday, 14th September, affecting stores including Ashford, Banbury, Basildon, and many others.
The following stores will close on Tuesday 12 September:
Acton
Aldershot
Barking
Bishop Auckland
Bletchley FF
Brownhills
Camberley
Cardiff Bay Retail Park
Falmouth
Harpurhey
Irvine
Liverpool Edge Lane
Llandudno
Lowestoft
Morley
Nelson
Port Talbot
Putney
Stafford
Tunbridge Wells
Wakefield
Weston-super-Mare
Westwood Cross
Winsford
The following stores will close on Thursday 14 September:
Ashford
Avonmeads
Banbury
Barrow in Furness
Basildon
Belle Vale
Burnley (Relocation)
Clydebank
Cortonwood
Dagenham
Dewsbury
Eccles
Folkestone
Great Yarmouth
Hammersmith
Huddersfield
Morriston
New Malden
North Shields
Queen Street Cardiff
Rhyl
Southampton-West Quay
St Austell
Stockport
Truro
Uttoxeter
Walsall
Woking
