Closing date announced for nine additional North East Wilko branches

On Monday (September 12), PwC administrators confirmed the locations of Wilko branches which will be closed over the next two weeks.

The retailer has announced 124 additional stores that will close between Sunday, September 17 and Thursday, September 21, with several of them located in the region.

Read more: LISTED: Which North East Wilko branches are closing this week?

The chain’s remaining branches are all due to close by early October after administrators failed to secure a deal to buy the business from any applicant.

On Tuesday (September 12), Bishop Auckland is set to lose its Wilko stores – with empty shelves and workers out of work.

The North Shields store will then close on Thursday (September 14).

However, PwC has since provided an updated list, with Byker, Jarrow, Seaham, Redcar, Gateshead, Newton Aycliffe, Peterlee, Ashington and Cramlington all receiving closing dates.

The GMB Union, which includes about 3,000 members who worked for Wilko, criticized the struggling chain’s previous management for failing to save the company and protect jobs.

It said: “We make no apologies for placing the blame squarely on the shoulders of the family’s former CEO and CEO and will continue to highlight her role in destroying a once-successful company while reaping millions of dollars in dividends.”

In August, Wilko CEO Mark Jackson confirmed the company had filed a letter of intent.

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He said: “While we can confirm that we have had significant interest, including indicative offers that we believe would meet all of our financial criteria to recapitalize the business, we do not currently have an offer that provides what is necessary.” Given the increasing liquidity pressures we face, we must provide liquidity in the time available to us.

“Unfortunately, against this background, we have to make the difficult decision today to submit a declaration of intent.

“We will continue to advance discussions with interested parties with the aim of completing a deal that preserves the business and encourage the interested parties with whom we are in discussions to move forward as quickly as possible.

“We continue to believe that our robust turnaround plan, with ongoing cost savings as we re-stabilize, will result in a profitable Wilko and maximize the significant opportunities we know exist.”

The other North East Wilko stores will be closed at the following times:

• Ashington (Sunday 17 September)
• Byker (Tuesday, September 19)
• Jarrow (Tuesday September 19)
• Seaham (Tuesday 19 September)
• Redcar (Tuesday September 19)
• Gateshead (Thursday 21 September)
• Newton Aycliffe (Thursday 21 September)
• Peterlee (Thursday September 21st)
• Cramlington (Thursday 21 September)