‘B***dy disgusting!’ Wilko owners blasted by Britons as all stores prepare to close for good
Wilko is under fire from furious Britons
PA / GB NEWS
Wilko owners are under fire from furious Britons after it was announced the name will disappear from UK High Streets for good.
A rescue deal for the chain fell through, meaning all of its 400 stores across the UK will close by early October, the GMB union has said.
Redundancies are likely for all 12,500 staff at the family-owned business as it is understood no bidders are interested in running shops under the Wilko name.
Britons spoke to GB News’ Theo Chikomba about the closures, admitting they were left dejected by the development.
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One said: “I feel so sorry for the staff. I don’t feel sorry for the owners, what they’ve done is b***dy disgusting.
“They should be ashamed of themselves. Just because they are rich doesn’t mean they should treat us people like dirt.”
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Wilko has confirmed it is filing a notice of intention to appoint administratorsWILKOAnother added: “It’s a shame for all the people that work there as a start, and it’s just a shame that Wilko is closing.
“Everywhere you went, Wilkos had everything you could want from there.”
A man added: “Since Woolworths, Wilko is a really good place.
“It’s not right. People are getting unemployed, and what are they going to do now?”
Doug Putman, the billionaire owner of HMV, harboured hopes of keeping up to 300 Wilko shops open, but rising costs complicated the deal.
Wilko has struggled as a result of competition from rival chains like B&M, The Range, Poundland and Home Bargains as Britons struggle with the crippling cost of living crisis.
B&M are set to take on up to 51 of Wilko’s 400 shops in a deal worth £13m, with the stores being rebranded appropriately.
It remains unclear as to whether any jobs will be saved or if Wilko workers will be given some form of preference when applying for jobs at the competitor store.
Poundland is also said to be circling the remains, with up to 70 stores reportedly in their sights.
The Wilko brand is also up for grabs,, with The Range proposing bids for the name specifically.