Teesside MPs react as Middlesbrough closes doors to Wilko
Wilko in Middlesbrough closed for the final time on Sunday (October 8) after 24 years in business, making it one of the last six stores in the North East and North Yorkshire to close.
Alex Cunningham, MP for Stockton North; Simon Clarke, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, and Andy McDonald, MP for Middlesbrough, have all bowed out today (October 9).
Read more: Middlesbrough Wilko will be one of the last stores to close
McDonald said: “Wilko has been part of Middlesbrough town center for 24 years and it is a very sad day that it is now closed.”
“My thoughts go out to the great staff who have consistently provided excellent service to all their customers over many years.”
The store closed for the last time at 4 p.m. and employees left a poster thanking customers for their years of patronage.
Leveling Up secretary Clarke said: “It is very sad when a business closes and like everyone else I think of Wilko’s loyal employees at such a difficult moment for them. “None of this is her fault.
Read more: All the potential deals coming to Teesside Park
“There is a lot of help and support available at our local employment centers, including help with CV writing and interview preparation. With unemployment at record lows across the North East, people should act with confidence that now is a good time to find new opportunities.”
Wilko went bankrupt in August, putting all 400 branches and 12,500 employees at risk.
Administrators at PwC were forced to sell Wilko’s assets after rescue deals for the company fell through.
Some Wilko stores were saved as other high street retailers agreed deals with the administration.
Continue reading:
Get more news, politics and entertainment coverage from The Northern Echo with a subscription. Click here.
Meanwhile, Cunningham said: “The closure of Wilko stores in Teesside and the rest of the country is devastating for employees, loyal customers and our retail economy.”
“I sincerely hope that the affected workers will be supported and quickly find employment elsewhere.
“Retailers and businesses are struggling and while local authorities like Stockton on Tees boldly transform our shopping centers to meet changing demands, they need a government that invests in and supports businesses and gives local authorities the powers to do so We need revitalization of our shopping streets. ”
