What happened to Wilko? Is Wilko still open? Store closings and current news today, September 12, 2023
Is Wilko still open?
The GMB Union has confirmed that most Wilko stores will close permanently.
There is “no longer any chance that the majority of the business will be saved,” said a spokesman.
“This means that layoffs for branch and call center employees will begin next week. Some businesses could be bought either individually or as part of larger packages, but significant job losses are now expected.”
In early September, authorities announced the closure of 52 stores across the UK, resulting in over 1,300 job losses.
Wilko store closures
List of the 52 Wilko branches closing at the beginning of September:
- Wilko Shop in Acton
- Wilko store in Aldershot
- Wilko shop in Ashford
- Wilko store in Avonmeads
- Wilko shop in Banbury
- Wilko store in Barking
- Wilko shop in Barrow in Furness
- Wilko shop in Basildon
- Wilko store in Belle Vale
- Wilko shop in Bishop Auckland
- Wilko shop in Bletchley FF
- Wilko store in Brownhills
- Wilko shop in Burnley (move)
- Wilko shop in Camberley
- Wilko shop at Cardiff Bay Retail Park
- Wilko shop in Clydebank
- Wilko store in Cortonwood
- Wilko shop in Dagenham
- Wilko shop in Dewsbury
- Wilko shop in Eccles
- Wilko shop in Falmouth
- Wilko shop in Folkestone
- Wilko shop in Great Yarmouth
- Wilko shop in Hammersmith
- Wilko store in Harpurhey
- Wilko shop in Huddersfield
- Wilko Shop in Irvine
- Wilko shop on Liverpool Edge Lane
- Wilko shop in Llandudno
- Wilko shop in Lowestoft
- Wilko store in Morley
- Wilko Shop in Morriston
- Wilko Shop in Nelson
- Wilko Shop in New Malden
- Wilko shop in North Shields
- Wilko shop in Port Talbot
- Wilko shop in Putney
- Wilko shop on Queen Street Cardiff
- Wilko store in Rhyl
- Wilko shop in Southampton-West Quay
- Wilko Shop in Stafford
- Wilko shop in St. Austell
- Wilko shop in Stockport
- Wilko shop in Truro
- Wilko shop in Tunbridge Wells
- Wilko shop in Uttoxeter
- Wilko shop in Wakefield
- Wilko store in Walsall
- Wilko shop in Weston-super-Mare
- Wilko store in Westwood Cross
- Wilko shop in Winsford
- Wilko shop in Woking
Has Wilko gone into liquidation?
Wilko officially went into administration on August 10, 2023, after bosses announced that time was “running out” for the company.
The wallet-friendly retailer confirmed the news with a heartfelt statement from Mark Jackson, Wilko’s chief executive.
“We have left no stone unturned to maintain this incredible business but must admit that it is with regret that we have no choice but to make the difficult decision to enter administration.
I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the Directors and the Wilkinson family to thank all of our customers, suppliers, partners and our hard-working team members in our stores, logistics and support centers who have remained loyal to Wilko.
We have all fought hard to keep this incredible business alive, but we must admit that time is running out and we must now do our best to keep as many jobs as possible and for as long as possible by continuing with our appointed administrators. ”
Can I still buy goods online from Wilko?
Whether it’s new bedding or back-to-school essentials, to bag yourself a bargain, head to your local store before it closes in the coming weeks.
Both Click & Collect and home delivery services have been paused, meaning online ordering is not possible.
Has anyone bought Wilko?
Administrators failed to find a buyer to save the 400 stores and 12,500 employees, but a deal was struck to buy part of the company.
Wilko rival B&M has agreed to cut up to 51 sites as part of a £13 million deal, but it is not yet clear which stores have been bought.
Another 200 stores could be saved by HMV owner Doug Putman, who is currently negotiating another deal with bosses.
PwC administrators are said to be “actively working with potential buyers” and “examining any interest in taking over the business”.
What will happen to Wilko?
Wilko appointed administrators in the summer after bosses failed to find a buyer, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the popular budget chain will disappear forever.
If a buyer were to take over Wilko, the company would not be responsible for any of its previous debts.
Buyers could keep the chain going in a variety of ways, such as keeping the actual stores and brand itself, buying just the buildings, or simply buying the remaining inventory.
A total of 51 branches have been saved by the budget chain B&M by autumn 2023.
However, no further deals have been concluded yet.
A PwC spokesperson previously said:
“Since our appointment as administrators of Wilko, we have had extensive discussions with parties who have expressed interest in purchasing all or part of the business.
While discussions continue with those interested in buying parts of the company, it is clear that this interest is not focused on the entire group.
Unfortunately, it is therefore likely that there will be redundancies and branch closures in the future and it was necessary to update employee representatives today.
We know this will increase worker insecurity.
We will support employees at this deeply worrying time and work closely with the government, JobCentre Plus, unions and major employers to maximize opportunities for a rapid return of employees to work in the event of redundancies.”
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