Hundreds of job losses at Wilko have been confirmed after a bid to buy the entire business fell through.
Administrators PwC said 269 roles in the chain’s support centre in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, would be made redundant, along with 14 roles at Wilko subsidiary Kin Limited.
It said further redundancies across two distribution centres in Worksop and Newport would be announced from early next week, although the exact numbers are yet to be 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.”
The roles will formally be made redundant from the close of business on Monday, PwC said.
Private equity firm M2 Capital had hoped to purchase the discount homeware chain and its 400 stores, but the deal fell through on Thursday following talks with PwC.
“Since their appointment, the administrators have been working closely with Wilko, its employees and suppliers and have considered multiple varied bids and expressions of interest related to the Group,” a spokesperson for the administrators added.
“While discussions continue with those interested in buying parts of the business, it is now clear that no viable offer structure put forward includes the Group in its entirety.”
The retail chain, which employs around 12,500 staff in total across the country, collapsed earlier this month after struggling from inflationary pressures, competition from rivals and supply chain challenges.
But its branches have remained open in the hope a buyer could be found.
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Other bids for parts of the business have been received, which administrators have said they will now focus on.
Poundland-owner Pepco Group and B&M European Value Retail are among the firms which have been aiming to acquire part of Wilko’s store estate.
HMV owner Doug Putman also expressed an interest in making a bid prior to PwC’s deadline of last Friday.
It comes after a warning from the GMB union, which is representing thousands of Wilko workers, that some job losses could be announced on Thursday.
