The majority of Wilko stores are set to close in the next week after a purchase of the retailer fell through, a union has said.
In a meeting with administrators on Wednesday, the GMB union said it was informed there is no longer any prospect that the majority of the business will be saved.
This has been denied by the administrators, who said: “In the immediate term, all stores remain open, continue to trade and staff continue to be paid. Contrary to speculation, there are currently no plans to close any stores next week.”
The discount homeware and household goods chain employs around 12,500 staff across 400 shops.
A full purchase of the business had been said to be unlikely but there had been “hope”, GMB said, over “expressions of interest” in part of the business.
The family-owned company was established by the Wilkinson family in 1930 and had been looking for new investment with the administrators for a number of months.
Like many other high-street outlets, Wilko was struggling with inflation and supply chain challenges in the wake of the pandemic.
Andy Prendergast, GMB National Secretary, said: “GMB Union will continue to support members through this process and will fight to ensure members are consulted as per the law and that you receive every penny you are entitled to.
“We will fight to ensure Wilko bosses are held accountable for the simple reason our members deserve so much better.
“GMB will not forget the incompetence that has led to this collapse and will we not forget the dividends paid to the millionaires who gambled your jobs on their whims.”
The shadow business secretary, Labour’s Jonathan Reynolds, said the news was “devastating”.
The loss of Wilko shops “will have a massive impact on their high streets and my thoughts are with those Wilko staff and their families facing this dreadful news”, he said.
“Sadly, shuttered up shops and struggling high streets has become the norm after 13 years of Conservative economic failure.
“Labour has a plan for our high streets. We will tackle the things holding firms back by reforming business rates, cracking down on anti-social behaviour and putting an end to empty premises to bring shoppers back to their high street,” he added.
