The full list of 52 Wilko stores set to close next week has been confirmed by administrators after failing to secure a rescue deal.
After PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) was appointed to oversee the insolvency of the beloved British bargain retailer earlier last month month, it was confirmed on Tuesday this week that rival retailer B&M had bought 51 Wilko stores in a deal said to be worth up to £13 million, while those at the administration company continued on in talks with several other parties who are interested in buying the remaining parts of the business.
But sadly, in the meantime while those talks are ongoing, it’s the end of the road for dozens of Wilko stores right across the UK – including several major outlets in Greater Manchester.
A total of 52 Wilko branches nationwide will close their doors for good next week.
The staff members working at the affected stores will unfortunately be made redundant, and on top of that, administrators have even added that it’s possible “further store closures may regrettably be necessary”, all depending on how talks with remaining suitors pan out.
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Stores will close over two days next week on Tuesday 12 and Thursday 14 September, with the closing Greater Manchester locations confirmed to be Harpurhey, Eccles, and Stockport.
The Wilko stores closing on Tuesday 12 September:
Acton
Aldershot
Barking
Bishop Auckland
Bletchley FF
Brownhills
Camberley
Cardiff Bay Retail Park
Falmouth
Harpurhey
Irvine
Liverpool Edge Lane
Llandudno
Lowestoft
Morley
Nelson
Port Talbot
Putney
Stafford
Tunbridge Wells
Wakefield
Weston-super-Mare
Westwood Cross
Winsford
“In the absence of viable offers for the whole business, very sadly, store closures and redundancies of team members from those stores are now necessary,” explained Edward Williams, who is the Joint Administrator at PwC.
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“The loss of these stores will be felt not only by the team members, who served them with such dedication, but also the communities which they have been a part of.”
Wilko has confirmed the full list of 52 stores to close next week / Credit: Wilko
The Wilko stores closing on Thursday 14 September:
Ashford
Avonmeads
Banbury
Barrow in Furness
Basildon
Belle Vale
Burnley (Relocation)
Clydebank
Cortonwood
Dagenham
Dewsbury
Eccles
Folkestone
Great Yarmouth
Hammersmith
Huddersfield
Morriston
New Malden
North Shields
Queen Street Cardiff
Rhyl
Southampton-West Quay
St Austell
Stockport
Truro
Uttoxeter
Walsall
Woking
As a last-minute buyer could not be found, it’s expected that all of Wilko’s 400 units nationwide will eventually be taken over by other outlets.
Roughly 12,500 jobs within the business are said on the line.
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B&M has bought 51 Wilko stores in a deal worth up to £13 million / Credit: Greg Macvean (via B&M) | Manchester Arndale
While various other bargain retail brands such as Poundland, Home Bargains, and The Range are also looking to take over some of the other spaces that Wilko vacates, B&M’s £13 million deal earlier this week means it is set to become the first company to pick up the pieces and aid their own expansion around the UK.
KFC have launched their own perfume – oh, and a new burger
Danny Jones
Fast food giants KFC have launched their very own perfume in one of the weirdest marketing stunts we’ve seen in a long while.
That being said, we definitely want a bottle.
KFC‘s fried chicken-themed fragrance launches next month and is fashionably named ‘No 11 Eau de BBQ’, a nod to their newest menu item, the Ultimate BBQ Burger, which we also want in our possession as soon as humanly possible.
The franchise’s new signature scent launches in just a week’s time and, yes, you can genuinely buy it along with the new burger for a limited time only.
Again, this is a real thing you can pay actual money for. (Credit: KFC UKI)
The UK-only release actually sold out when it came to pre-orders but Brits will be able to get their hands on another batch when the second lot drops on 7 May.
Promising a charcoal and smoky wood-scented aroma that immediately transports you to your mate’s back garden as he turns cheap burger patties into overly blackened dry pucks of meat that you definitely would’ve cooked better if you were in charge, the stunt is also helping raise money for non-profits.
Available in 100ml bottles and for just £11, 100% of the proceeds of every sale will go towards the KFC Foundation, which supports grassroots organisations empowering young people to unleash their potential and build a positive future in local communities across the country.
As for the burger that inspired it, the special edition menu item is a nod to BBQ season gradually approaching and they’ve even made a nod to our famously reliable British weather and its attempts to derail the art of outdoor grilling in a new advert.
KFC perfume and a new burger? Christmas has come well early this year.
The Ultimate BBQ Burger has already launched and will be on the menu until 9 June, priced at £6.49 or £9.99 for a box meal which comes with the burger, a regular mini fillet, regular fries, BBQ sauce and a drink.
And don’t worry, it’ll be available on delivery too — we know we’ve had problems with that when it comes to specials in the past.
As KFC’s No 11 Eau de BBQ perfume, you can wait in the online queue like everyone else HERE and let’s just say you’ll be fighting us and plenty of other Mancs for every last drop.
River Island reopens Manchester Arndale store – and it’s unrecognisable
Daisy Jackson
River Island in the Manchester Arndale shopping centre is ready to reopen after a major makeover, and it’s bigger than ever.
The stunning space now spans 13,947 square feet and comes with interactive fitting rooms where you can order extra sizes on an iPad, self-checkouts, and a limited-edition collection exclusive to the Arndale.
The huge shop’s refurb follows a similar move at their Trafford Centre store, where River Island moved into the former Topshop unit.
Now, the three-storey store in the heart of the Arndale has been given a lick of duck-egg blue, and transformed into a beachy paradise.
Officially throwing its doors open this morning, Thursday 25 April, with Lucy Mecklenburgh cutting the ribbon, the huge shop is already welcoming hordes of shoppers.
Over the weekend, you’ll spot plenty of activations to celebrate River Island’s relaunch.
There are people carrying gigantic shopping bags handing out scratch cards with different discounts on, a Spin the Wheel with prizes, free coffees, a pop-up flower cart and loads more.
And the first people to spend more than £55 on each day between 25 and 28 April will receive a limited-edition tote bag.
High-tech changing rooms at the new River Island in the Manchester ArndaleAccessories in River Island’s new Manchester Arndale storeThe kids’ clothing collection in River IslandAccessories in River Island’s new Manchester Arndale store
This new River Island store has a limited-edition collection of one-off, premium pieces featuring exclusive fabrics and luxury detailing.
The 19-piece, bohemian-inspired collection starts at £45 and will only be available in the Arndale store.
Inside you’ll find all the usual River Island goodies, including a huge amount of holiday shop items, plus denim, occasion-wear, shoes, handbags, and kids’ clothing.
The new River Island store will open on 25 April in The Arndale shopping centre in Manchester.
Emily Sergeant -
7th September 2023 
