Potential loss of Wilko in Scarborough could have 'huge impact' on town centre
Administrators are apparently considering a rescue deal to buy most branches
It is hoped there will be a rescue deal for Wilko as we are hearing any loss could have a huge impact on Scarborough town centre.
Redundancies have begun at the collapsed homeware chain, but administrators are apparently considering a rescue deal to buy most branches.
The owner of HMV, Doug Putman, is offering to snap up more than 300 of its 400 stores, saving between 8,000 and 9,000 jobs.
Janet Jefferson, President of Scarborough Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said: "It's a very large store. It has a capacity of goods is mainly household, painting and decorating. I think those types of things to get within the town centre would be lost initially. I'm sorry for the workers, I think it's a great loss to them and to the town.
"Wilko's is known throughout the country, especially in the North of England. It will have an impact on the town centre. Its predecessor was Tesco. It used to be a convenience store but we'll just have to wait and see. I hope somebody comes along soon.
"The town's always wanting a Primark but I don't know whether it'll be big enough for it as they usually need two or three floors. We need something unique and you want a good name that attracts people, not only the residents but visitors as well. People come because of stores and lots of individual independents.
"We used to have figures that showed 49 percent of people who visited Scarborough visited our shops. I'd like to think as a retailer that will carry on but you've got to give a service and you've got to have something probably different to attract people to a particular store. I think personal service counts but also the big names count as well."