The first Wilko redundancies have been confirmed after administrators were unable to secure a buyer for the collapsed retail chain.
A bid from private equity firm M2 Capital fell through this week, but it is understood that talks with HMV owner Doug Putman about rescuing part of the company are ongoing.
Administrators at PwC confirmed that the first job losses will take place within the next week, including employees at Wilko’s support centre in Worksop, where 269 people are based, and its distribution centres in Worksop and Newport.
No viable offers have been received for Kin Limited, a subsidiary of Wilko, resulting in a further 14 redundancies.
Wilko redundancies
Jobs at risk as Wilko goes into administration
The support centre and Kin staff will be made redundant on Monday 4 September.
The number of job losses at the distribution centres has not yet been confirmed.
Jane Steer, joint administrator, said: “It’s with great sadness that we announce these redundancies. We’re incredibly grateful to these team members for the support and dedication they’ve shown to the company, particularly over the last few very difficult weeks.
“We will continue to do all that we can to support staff through this period of difficult upheaval, and to maximise their opportunities for a rapid return to work. Our priority is to ensure that all team members affected by redundancy are assisted in processing their claims with immediate effect. We will be circulating correspondence to all staff as soon as possible which will outline the support available to complete redundancy payment forms. Advice and assistance will also be available from Job Centre Plus and other agencies.”
The GMB union said the majority of people working in Wilko’s commercial trading, IT, finance, legal and HR teams would be made redundant on Monday.
It said it had been talking to Bassetlaw District Council, the Welsh Assembly, and “other organisations” in a bid to save jobs by finding tenants or buyers for the distribution centres.
There is a dedicated helpline for Wilko employees who have questions about the process and support in place.
PwC said all of Wilko’s stores remain open while “discussions continue with those interested in buying parts of the business”.
Sign up to our weekly round-up of HR news and guidance
Receive the Personnel Today Direct e-newsletter every Wednesday
HR roles in retail and wholesale on Personnel Today
Browse more HR roles in retail and wholesale
