Business Secretary urged to intervene as Wilko saga nears end-game

The union which represents thousands of Wilko workers currently fearing for their livelihoods is pushing for talks with Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch after it claimed potential buyers for the stricken retailer were experiencing “difficulties” in speaking to administrators.

The Guardian reports that GMB national secretary Andy Prendergrast wrote to Badenoch on Monday (August 28) requesting a meeting to ask her to ensure that all rescue bids for Wilko were considered.

Wilko called administrators in earlier this month, leaving 12,500 jobs in jeopardy.

Since then, potential buyers for the entire company, such as HMV owner Doug Putman and private equity firm M2 Capital, have come forward – while various parties were interested in cherry-picking handfuls of stores which would lead to around 6,000 jobs lost.

The GMB says that all Wilko staff should keep their jobs if a water-tight offer for the whole business is made early this week.

A PwC spokesperson told The Guardian: “Since our appointment as administrators of Wilko we have worked relentlessly to secure a sale of the business, and talks are continuing with a number of parties. As administrators, we’re intent on achieving the best outcome for everyone involved while preserving as many jobs as possible and adhering to our statutory duty to act in the best interests of the creditors as a whole.

“It would be inappropriate to comment on individual bidders or interested parties at this stage in the process.”