A deal has been agreed which will retain the Wilko name with The Range agreeing to buy the brand, website and Intellectual Property.
As part of the deal 36 employees from Wilko’s digital team have transferred to The Range.
Administrators for Wilko, which went into administration on August 10, say after a short period of transition, they expect online operations to recommence as the administration store trading programme concludes in early October.
Jane Steer, joint administrator, said: “Since our appointment, the feedback from customers and wider stakeholders during this challenging period has reinforced the fact that wilko remains a much loved and trusted brand within the UK.
“This sale to The Range will ensure that the wilko name lives on under their ownership and we wish The Range every success.”
A deal by administrators with Pepco Group, and one already reached with B&M, could also save the jobs of staff at 122 Wilko stores.
Earlier this week it was announced that all Wilko stores would be shut by early October after an offer to buy hundreds of stores by HMV owner Doug Putman fell through.
The firm has stores in Ramsgate and Westwood Cross. The Westwood store shut on September 12.
The 71 stores included in the agreement with Pepco and 51 stores included in the agreement with B&M currently employ more than 3,200 wilko team members in total.
The Pepco deal does not include either of the Thanet sites. The sites B&M plan to take on have not yet been made public.
Not a good time of year to lose your job, not that there is ever a good time that is ….
From information that I have received I understand the Wilco store at Westwood cross will be taken over by B&M the store in Ramsgate will close. I have purchased a 95 containers of stock that was to due go to Wilco stores from manufacturers in the October November run up to Christmas. Depending on what’s in the containers I will decide where they go. Mostly to charity is the plan.
Do you really think charities will want 95 imaginary containers of hot air Ann?
How did you manage buy all those containers? I guess you work in retail and have contacts?
Ann though there is already a B&M in Westwood and though there is already a the range at WESTWOOD mybe The range could be down stair and B&M could be upstairs at the ramsgate store as The range dont really need a cafe for customers as there are 2 good cafes close to the Ramsgate store
Could all these folks posting please use their proper names and we can then judge the value of their utterances!
Yes Keith thats is my real name an from ramsgate
Yes and while you are about can you give your date of birth national insurance number and phone number so K Veness can sell your details to scammers. Oh Ann I noticed you have a CD shipping container in your property and presumably use as a storage container if you want to sell one of the 95 I will be pleased to make an offer.
You forgot to include your email address, and bank account number Bill.