Wilko in Maidenhead at risk of closure after rescue bid fails

A rescue deal for Wilko has collapsed, leaving the future of the popular Maidenhead high street store uncertain.

According to the GMB union, 'there is no prospect of saving the remaining store estate in its entirety' and administrator PwC said all Wilko stores will close by early October.

Wilko has 400 stores – including one on Maidenhead High Street – and approximately 12,500 employees.

The GMB national team apologised for the 'devastating news' that an offer for the sale of hundreds of stores had fallen through.

The union said: "Although separate bids may be made for leases of groups of sites, these deals will not secure jobs, although the option to take up new employment with the bidders for these sites is something we are now pushing for.

"GMB continue to do everything we can to save as many of your jobs as possible. We have always been open about looking at all the bids for the business and have always put our members’ interests first."

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.”

All 400 Wilko branches across the country will close by the start of October, and the union said 'redundancy is now likely for all 12,500 workers'. 

Last week, administrators PwC confirmed that 52 stores would close on Tuesday, September 12 and Thursday, September 14, and Maidenhead was not included in this list. 

Both of Wilko’s distribution centres or warehouses will close this Friday (September 15).

A second round of store closures will be announced tomorrow (September 12) and these 124 stores will close between September 19 and September 21.

Staff will be asked to work two extra days after the store has closed.

Wilko's administrators, PwC, have been reached for comment.