OSWESTRY’S Wilko branch will remain open for another week after administrators for the stricken company announcing 124 more closures.  

Shrewsbury’s Wilko store will close on Thursday, September 21, as part of the block of 48 shops to close that day. In total 124 will shut nationwide between September 17 and 21. 

Administrators Price Waterhouse Coopers confirmed the closures and also explained more about the failed takeover bid by HMV owner Putman Investments. 

Zelf Hussain, joint administrator at PwC, said: “Despite the significant and intensive efforts of both ourselves and Putman Investments – the remaining party interested in buying a significant part of the business as a going concern – a transaction could not be progressed due to the inability to reduce central infrastructure costs quickly enough to make a deal commercially viable. 

“The dedication shown by all team members during this period has been hugely humbling and we are grateful for the patience and understanding they have shown. 

OTHER NEWS:

“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 also continue to collaborate closely with relevant agencies and engage with any potential employers to help facilitate a quick return into new employment for those impacted. 

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

The GMB Union, which represents workers at Wilko, said on Monday that redundancy was likely for all of Wilko’s 12,500 staff and the business was expected to close by ‘early October’. 

The latest announcement means a date for Oswestry’s branch is still to be confirmed.