Wilko will soon be gone from the high street (Picture: PA)
Wilko will soon be closing down forever, and while there is nothing I can do to stop that happening – I could rejoice in doing one final haul.
But the shopping trip proved more difficult than I could have imagined.
On Monday afternoon, a news alert flashed on my phone that informed me of the sad news that all 400 branches will be gone by early October. It left me feeling a sense of urgency to visit and say my goodbyes before it was gone forever.
While it may be ‘just’ a high street store, its closure has left me feeling quite sad. Primarily for the 12,000 people whose jobs are at risk, but also because of the firm place the shop has held in my life for the past 29 years. I can’t think of many major life milestones that haven’t involved a quick trip to the burgundy-fronted store. Whether it was a pick ‘n’ mix before a cinema trip, invading the home section prior to a house move, buying my first Christmas tree, or just simply grabbing some cheap candles.
It’s just three days before payday when I head to the High Street Kensington store near my office, and usually, that would rule out any shopping for me. I’m a person who lives pay day to pay day much to my father’s frustration, but Wilko is one of the few places that welcome me and my depressing bank account with open arms. It is especially inviting now, as the items have up to 60% off in order to clear the stock.
Today my challenge is to spend a solid £20 on goods as my final swan song.
I begin by forming a base layer in my basket – rose and peony fabric softener (£2.10), a couple of anti-bac gels (£0.55), opting for Wilko own brand as that won’t be an option in a matter of weeks before adding in bath soak and shower gel (each £0.66).
Customers can get up to 60% off items (Picture:Getty)
I pile in a slightly ridiculous lilac bauble (£0.80) as a reminder of the Christmas tree, that I have now lost, and as with every Wilko trip I find myself adding in items I didn’t even know I needed – a set of four bingo dabbers (£1.40) because why not?
As a person who frequents Mecca about once per year, they were probably slightly unnecessary.
That is the beauty of Wilko, you can make unnecessary purchases. If I’m shopping online then I remain focused only inserting into my basket what I have specifically searched for. If I find myself at places like Zara or H&M I’ll feel guilty if I slip something in. I want to be sustainable and not buy big items like clothing without prior thought, but a pack of pens or a scented candle (£2.10) feels okay.
A mug (£2.10) that wouldn’t look out of place in either of the aforementioned home sections simply couldn’t be left behind. It is a cream waffle style that I could envisage an influencer drinking out of while talking us through their skincare routine. I’ll instead use it for hot chocolates.
I purchased a bauble to remind me of my first ever Christmas tree
I find myself chatting to fellow customers. One tells me that she’s ‘heartbroken’ after shopping there for decades before listing off some of her favourite branches – Worthing has a particularly sizeable one. It’s near her sister’s home so she’s spent many hours there.
‘I use them all the time and the fact that it’s a family business that’s not successful anymore is sad. We’ve already lost wolly’s (Woolworths),’ she states defeated.
Another person questions where they’ll be able to buy dog treats: ‘I’ll have to go to expensive pet stores’.
I see everyone roaming the aisles – a young woman carrying a YSL bag but picking up £1 Fairy washing-up liquid, a man taking instruction from his wife on the phone as if they are at an auction but instead of rare antiques, their purchase of choice is paint, and a young group of uni students checking out the bulb selection.
Rather than it having a panicked feel, people are calmly examining the shelves, and slowly meandering through the store. Nobody really seems to be taking joy in these bargains, as they come at a price.
The workers are still assisting with product queries and happily guiding customers to the correct sections. (However, they seem to be taking fairly regular breaks.)
My final Wilko haul cost £13.13
The final item that enters my basket has to be a pick ‘n’ mix – a large tub costing £2.25, which is 50% off the usual price.
The selection is somewhat limited – no strawberries, fizzy or otherwise, or white mice but I pile the tub high with chocolate raisins and cherry lips.
Finally, I’m at the checkout and as the cashier wizzes through my items, she kindly encourages me to add a few more sweets to an already semi-overflowing sweet cup. £13.13 flashes up on the monitor. The unlucky number feels slightly poetic, as we are unlucky to be losing Wilkos.
I really thought I’d reached my £20 budget, but with the extreme discounts, it was an almost impossible task. I consider doing a second lap but remind myself I have an hour’s journey home later and don’t want my 30p plastic bag to rip.
I don’t feel happy emerging back onto the high street. As I take the short five-minute walk back to my desk, I just feel kind of bad that my even cheaper-than-usual shop comes as a result of Wilkos closing their automatic doors forever.
I make a silent promise that I’ll spend my £6.87 change in other high street stores to show my support.
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It’s a sad day for the Great British high street.