Wilko Bolton shoppers flock to town centre store

The store, which has a branch on Deansgate, announced last week that it was going into administration putting around 12,500 jobs at risk. .

The Bolton News took to the town centre store to see what offers it had on as it launches an administration sale, and spoke to shoppers, including Lee Thomas, a site manager from Kearsley.

“It’s a terrible idea, it’s a great everyday shop, it’s one of my favourites in the town. They’ve got everything DIY, and all the household bits - it’s relatively cheap too,” the 51-year-old said.

“But we’re going through the death of the high street and another household name is gone.

“I use Wilkinson’s for little things all the time, just last Thursday I bought two locks, glue, and a bike pump.”

He continued: “I try and use the town shops if I can, if not we are turning into the Amazon generation. If I can find it then I will buy it, but if I can’t find anything I have to use Amazon.

“You know what it is, it’s that Amazon Prime. Everyone has it and its free delivery.”

Despite posters plastered in the windows of the shop highlighting a “Wilko administration sale” taking place, the store seemed to have the usual amount of offers taking place.

One of the many bargain hunters visiting Wilko’s today was Wendy Close, of Astley Bridge, who told The Bolton News that she predicted that the branch could shut in April.

The 71-year-old said: “I’m going to go in, I’ve gone in a few times before and there are so many lovely people working here. When I heard it was closing, I thought that’s another one.

“I said to myself when Marks & Spencer’s on Deansgate closed, this will go too. I used to go into the café there and then across here to look around.

“I was also the last in the post office on Deansgate and I bought a stamp – I wish I’m not the last in Wilko’s.”

The discount store sells everything from pet food to plates, and tools to sweets.

As well as its Deansgate branch, the company runs another at Middlebrook Retail Park, Horwich, one of 400 around the country that faces closure.

On his first day back to Bolton since before Covid, 74-year-old Jake Prescott, of Wigan, visited Wilko’s to pick up some items for a project of his.

“The same thing is happening in Wigan, they are all closing. I use Wilko’s once a month, it’s ideal for little things for the home,” the former car delivery driver said.

“I bought some folders and a notebook. I do a lot of family history books, and they are what you need to keep it all in.”

While Sharon Wilson, of Bromley Cross, brought her grandchildren Abby and Holly Jones, aged six and nine respectively.

She added: “We just came in to visit the museum and I thought I’d stop in at Wilko’s.

“What is going on seems to be really awful for the staff, they haven’t been told anything so they can’t apply for any jobs – they just don’t know what’s happening.”

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