SHOPPERS in St Helens have expressed their worries after budget retailer Wilko fell into administration.

The chain, which has stores in St Helens and Earlestown - and the loss of them would be another significant blow for the town centres.

The budget retailer has entered administration on Thursday, August 10, after failing to secure a rescue deal, putting around 12,500 jobs in jeopardy.

The chain, which runs more than 400 stores across the UK, told staff on Thursday that it has hired administrators from PwC to oversee the process.

Meanwhile, bidders for crisis-stricken retailer Wilko have been given a Wednesday deadline to table offers to buy the firm.

The St Helens store on Cotham Street, on the former Co-op building site, is one of the biggest shops in the town centre. Meanwhile, the chain also has a shop on Market Street, in Earlestown.

 

St Helens Star: Wilko in EarlestownWilko in Earlestown (Image: Google Street View)

Shoppers in St Helens town centre expressed concern over the potential closure and said it would be a big loss.

Mary Griffiths said: “I used to go all the time when I was in work. It was always my first point of call for paints and accessories.

“It would be such a shame if it went. The staff were really helpful and it had a local shop feel about it.

“It’s such a big building, I hope they’d find a use for it.”

Another shopper added: “It’s such a handy shop for my cat supplies and it is such a big building.

"I really hope we don’t lose our Wilko.”

Wilko has announced huge administration sales, with signs promoting the 'Wilko Administration Sale' have been seen in shops across the UK, with the promise of thousands of reductions throughout the store.

Local politicians in St Helens said the borough’s Wilko shops that many people rely on and expressed hope a buyer could be found.

Wilko chief executive Mark Jackson said the company had received “a significant level of interest” but was “left with no choice but to take this unfortunate action” after being unable to close a deal in time.

In a letter, he said: “Over the past six months Wilko has been very open that we’ve been considering options to accelerate a turnaround plan, given that we needed to make significant changes to the way we operate to restore confidence and stabilise our business.

“We left no stone unturned when it came to preserving this incredible business but must concede that, with regret, we’ve no choice but to take the difficult decision to enter into administration.

“We’ve all fought hard to keep this incredible business intact but must concede that time has run out and now we must do what’s best to preserve as many jobs as possible, for as long as is possible, by working with our appointed administrators.”