Wilko: Jobs to go as attempts to find a buyer fail

Jobs at Wilko are set to go and stores will close after the company failed to find a buyer for the whole business. 

The PwC has said parts of the group could still be bought. 

Wilko announced earlier this month that it was going into administration, putting 12,500 jobs and its 400 stores at risk. 

PwC had tried to look for a buyer for all or part of the business. 

In a statement, PwC said: “While discussions continue with those interested in buying parts of the business, it’s clear that the nature of this interest is not focused on the whole group.

“Sadly, it is therefore likely that there will be redundancies and store closures in the future and it has today been necessary to update employee representatives.”

PwC said that in the immediate term, all stores will remain open and continue to trade, adding there are “currently no plans to close any stores next week”.

But the GMB union said that  “significant job losses” were now expected.

Its national secretary, Andy Prendergast, said the union would seek to ensure its members “receive every penny” they are entitled to.

“We will fight to ensure Wilko bosses are held accountable for the simple reason our members deserve so much better,” he added.