The closure of Wilko is a 'big loss' to Droitwich, a county councillor said.

Staff bid a final farewell to the Droitwich Wilko store, in St Andrew's Square after it closed its shutters for the last time on Thursday (September 21).

Worcester and Droitwich Wilko branches have both closed for good this week along with all stores across the UK.

Worcester’s Wilko’s final day was Tuesday (September 19).

Shoppers were seen taking advantage of Wilko’s closing-down sale as the Worcester store entered its final day of trading. It was revealed earlier this week that Worcester and Droitwich Wilko stores are set to become a Poundland.

The discount retailer’s owner Pepco agreed on a deal to buy 71 Wilko stores following the collapse of the high street chain.Wilko employed 12,500 staff and ran 400 shops before calling in administrators PwC last month.

Staff are all likely to be made redundant in the coming weeks, as all Wilko stores are to shut by early October.

Richard Morris, who represents Droitwich West on Worcestershire County Council, said: “It’s a big loss for the town.

“I have shopped there and it was always such a good fit for the town. We need a variety of shopping options and Wilko was a good outlet.

“I feel for the people, the staff there, and hopefully Poundland will be able to give them some continuity.

“It’s a national issue and so upsetting that it’s happening, but I’m hopeful with Poundland taking over.

“I’m sorry to lose to Wilko, it was a good brand. And I don’t know much about Poundland but hopefully they’ll be able to provide a good retail option in town.”

All of Wilko’s 400 shops will close by early October, according to administrators from PwC.

The Wilko brand will not disappear entirely from the UK high street after The Range agreed to buy Wilko’s brand, website and intellectual property, with plans to sell the acquired brand in its stores.

Wilko was originally founded by James Kemsey Wilkinson in Leicester in 1930 and employed 12,500 workers before its collapse.