All Wilko stores to shut ‘by early October,’ says union

All 400 Wilko stores are set to close by October, according to the GMB union.

The news follows reports this morning that a rescue deal to save around 100 stores by HMV owner Doug Putnam had collapsed.

Now, the GMB union says that administrators from PwC have told them that all Wilko shops will be shuttered by early October.

Two distribution centres, in Worksop and Newport, are to close on Friday next week, says the union, meaning that redundancy is now likely for all 12,500 workers.

Nadine Houghton, GMB National Officer, said: “Wilko was far more than a brand, a retailer or the products it sold, it was the thousands of loyal team members now facing an uncertain future.

“Wilko may have ceased genuinely being a family brand many years ago, but the staff kept the real family ethos of Wilko alive until the very end. It is the family that Wilko colleagues made for themselves that will be missed the most.

“This isn’t a tragedy without cause. Wilko should have thrived in a bargain retail sector that is otherwise strong, but it was run into the ground by the business owners.

“Money was siphoned out of the business for dividends, warnings about what needed to be done to save the business were not heeded and advice around what the business to do to thrive was not listened to.

“No worker caused the downfall of Wilko. But they will be the ones who will suffer – all as the owners get off scot-free. GMB will not stop campaigning for the owners of this debacle to be held to account.”

PwC declined to comment.