52 wilko store closures have been confirmed as administrators continue to explore the structure, implications and viability of offers received for all or parts of the group.
PwC shared: “It has become clear from these discussions that some stores do not form part of any ongoing interest in the wilko store portfolio.”
The closure of the 52 shops will lead to the redundancies of 1,016 staff. Meanwhile a further 299 redundancies are to be made at two distribution centres in Worksop and Newport.
The final day of trading for the stores will be Tuesday 12 September and Thursday 14 September. For those employed at the distribution centres, redundancy will be effective from close of business on Thursday 7 September.
The news follows an agreement to provide B&M with the option to acquire up to 51 properties, after the administration trading period concludes at those sites.
Edward Williams, joint administrator, said: “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, in addition to the already announced redundancies at the support centre and distribution centres.
“We know this has been a deeply unsettling time for everyone concerned and would like to express our gratitude to all wilko team members for the dedication and support they have continued to give the business in the most trying of circumstances.”
Stores closing in the Midlands include:
- Walsall – 30 employees – 14th Sept
- Stafford – 20 employees – 12th Sept
- Brownhills – 15 employees – 12th Sept
- Uttoxeter – 9 employees – 14th Sep
At the Worksop distribution centre there will be 220 redundancies.
