Wilko closures: PwC says when east London stores will shut

One east London store shut today (September 12), and another will shut on Thursday (September 14). 

A total of 124 Wilko stores will shut next week, with the remaining 222 shops scheduled to close by early October.

It comes after administrators at PwC failed to secure a deal to buy the business.

Wilko entered administration early last month after it came under pressure from weak consumer spending and debts to suppliers.

Administrators said that “extensive efforts” had failed to produce a deal which would save any “significant part” of the Wilko operations.

A potential deal with HMV owner Doug Putman collapsed yesterday (September 11), although Sky News has reported that fellow discount retailer Poundland is still in talks to snap up around 100 shops.

Zelf Hussain, joint administrator at PwC, said: “As with those who have already been given notice of redundancy, we will guide and support those team members impacted over the coming weeks through the redundancy claims process.

“We continue to work with potential buyers for different parts of the business and are confident of completing transactions in the coming days.”

East London closure lists

• Barking, East Street (September 12)
• Dagenham, The Mall (September 14)
• East Ham, High Street (September 19)
• The remaining four east London Wilko shops – Romford in Liberty 2 shopping centre, Walthamstow in High Street, Ilford in Balfour Road and Stratford in Broadway – are set to shut in early October