A LEICESTER store is set to close this Spring, after serving the community for over 70 years.
Wilko has confirmed plans to close its long running store on Narborough Road in April, after failing to reach an agreement with the landlord which makes the store “commercially viable.”
Another 15 of the brand’s stores are set to close nationwide, putting over 300 jobs at risk in total.
The Narborough Road store has been a fixture in the area since February 1949, serving the community with a range of domestic and homeware goods.
The Wilko brand was founded in Leicester back in 1930 by James Kemsey Wilkinson, with the first store opening at 151 Charnwood Street.
A second one came two-years later in Wigston Magna and the Narborough Road store was the third to open in the area.
Twelve members of staff are currently employed at the store and it is hoped that alternative roles can be found for them at nearby sites.
“We have been looking at our options, but the reality is that we have been unable to reach an agreement with the landlord that makes the store commercially viable,” said a Wilko spokesman.
Jerome Saint-Marc, Wilko CEO pointed at a change in the way people shop as a factor in their decision to close the 16 stores.
“Our history is steeped in serving our customers and communities going back to 1930 but there’s no denying the way people shop with us and where they want to shop with us is changing,” he said.
“As a business we’re evolving and this includes working with landlords for more favourable terms, as well as looking at locations and store formats,” he added.
“We’ll continue to pull together to make our business better to secure the future of over 16,000 team members.
“We’ll be doing everything we can to support our affected team members who will be offered any available positions in nearby stores.”
By Louise Steel
