![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wilko-to-close-52-stores-within-days-and-slash-1332-jobs/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/fb6gxm-wilko-shop-sign-245841695.jpg&description=Breaking RETAIL WOES Published : 16:01, 5 Sep 2023 Updated : 16:08, 5 Sep 2023 WILKO is set set to close 52 stores and slash 1,332 jobs in the coming days. Two dozen of the stores are set to shut their doors for the final time on September 12, according to union GMB. 1 Credit: Alamy While the remaining 28 shops will be closed two days later. It comes after B&M agreed to buy up to 51 locations in a £13million deal. The deal had left the future of the remaining sites and thousands of jobs up in the air. Wilko has 400 stores and employs 12,500 staff. The full list of Wilko stores which have been bought is yet to be revealed. B&M said more information on the new store openings will be issued alongside its half-year financial results on November 9. The majority of the new stores are expected to rebrand as B&Ms, it's understood. In an update to investors B&M said: "The consideration is fully funded from existing cash reserves and the acquisition is not expected to be conditional on any regulatory clearances." The Sun previously revealed that weekend negotiations between Canadian entrepreneur Mr Putman had run into issues. Big brands, including Unilever and Procter & Gamble who supply items such as Domestos Bleach and Ariel detergent to shops, demanded their debts are repaid and paid upfront to guarantee supply to stores. Concerns had been raised after some suppliers cancelled shipments to Wilko stores due to fears over its future. It could mean the possibility of empty shop shelves, even if the shops do stay open. On Monday, wave of job cuts took place , with a total of 269 support centre team member roles being axed in its Worksop site. A further 14 jobs at Kin Limited, a subsidiary of Wilko , have also been cut after it too fell into administration. Insiders previously expressed frustration that a rescue of Wilko had been delayed by the eleventh-hour intervention by M2 Capital, which has since been accused of time-wasting. Last week The Sun exclusively reported){kind=link}
WILKO is set set to close 52 stores and slash 1,332 jobs in the coming days, but hope remains for hundreds of stores.
Two dozen of the branches are set to shut their doors for the final time on September 12, administrators have confirmed.
The remaining 28 shops will be closed two days later, resulting in 1,016 redundancies.
It’s understood that workers will be informed of the news by 10am tomorrow.
So far it has not been revealed which of the 400 Wilko stores are affected.