
The closures of 52 Wilko stores in the coming week mark a bleaker chapter in the downturn of the company. In a formal announcement, PwC, the administrators, outlined the planned closure schedule. The initial wave of shutdowns will occur next Tuesday, engulfing 24 shops. By Thursday the 14th of September, an additional 28 stores will cease operations, predefined by the lack of advantageous bids to acquire the business.
The ripple effects of the company’s decline have inevitably hit the workforce, with more than 1,000 employees facing redundancy. The possibilities of a business-saving deal are diminishing and have left the company hanging on the precipice of an uncertain future.
Among the stores set to close are branches located in Acton, Cardiff, Liverpool, and Falmouth. The ramifications of these closures will echo loud and clear, resonating through communities that have been served by Wilko, and employees who have shown unwavering dedication in times of adversity.
Expressing his sorrow over the closures, Edward Williams, joint administrator at PwC, justified the move as a repercussion of unsuccessful attempts to find a buyer for the business as a whole. Moreover, he perceived these closures as a harsh reality to the team and the communities that these stores have served passionately, despite the looming uncertainty in recent times.
On Tuesday, administrators publicized over 1,300 redundancies across the 52 Wilko stores, as well as the company’s distribution and support centres. News of the job losses was delivered to the staff of the affected shops at 10:00 BST.
Wilko’s competitor B&M has agreed to a £13m deal to acquire 51 of Wilko’s establishments. However, the fate of the brand itself and the remaining 300 stores continue to hang in doubt, amidst delays due to funding issues for a more comprehensive rescue package proposed by HMV’s Doug Putman.
With active discussions reportedly underway with interested buyers for parts of the embattled business, PwC remained hopeful about salvaging as many jobs as possible. However, it candidly admitted the potential necessity for more regrettable store closures.
A mainstay of the High Street for many decades, the retail chain succumbed to administration last August after grappling with losses. Wilko, boasting around 12,500 staff members and 400 stores, was established in 1930 and quickly rose to prominence in the 1990s as one of Britain’s fastest-growing retailers. Nonetheless, the company has been grappling with intense competition in recent years from rivals like B&M, Poundland, and Home Bargains.
While the future for many Wilko employees looks uncertain, retailers like Dunelm and Toolstation have shown their support, openly inviting them to apply for positions in their own companies.
The list of the closing stores, with dates attached, includes 24 stores on 12th September and another 28 on 14th September, signifying the painful unfolding of this unfortunate business narrative.