More than 100 jobs lost in Yorkshire as administrators confirm Wilko store closures

A total of 113 jobs will be lost in West and South Yorkshire when five Wilko stores close down this month.

The stricken chain’s branches in Morley and Wakefield will close on Tuesday 12 September, while another three branches – in Dewsbury, Huddersfield and Cortonwood Retail Park, near Barnsley – will close on Thursday 14 September.

The administrators published a full list of stores which are to close for good after negotiations for a full sale of the business ended in failure.

Around 1,300 people are expected to lose their jobs across the country.

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.”

Earlier this week it was revealed that discount retail chain B&M had bought 51 Wilko stores.

The administrators are yet to confirm whether staff at the sites will keep their jobs – or indeed which sites it has bought. The £13m deal to buy the stores looks set to see them change their branding to B&M.

The company said it will update on the timings of the openings in an interim results publication on November 9.

A spokesperson for B&M said: “The consideration is fully funded from existing cash reserves and the acquisition is not expected to be conditional on any regulatory clearances.”