Concerns about more job losses as Wilko rescue deal collapses
The rescue deal involving the owner of HMV has fallen through
Thousands more jobs at Wilko could be at stake as a rescue deal involving the owners of HMV collapsed.
Administrators for the high street chain had been in discussions with Doug Putman, who owns the entertainment retailer, over a deal to buy around 200 Wilko shops.
However, it's understood that these talks have now collapsed, intensifying fears over the future of thousands of jobs.
In a statement to The Sun newspaper, Mr Putman said: “It is with great disappointment that we can no longer continue in the purchase process for Wilko having worked with administrators and suppliers over several weeks to seek a viable way to rescue it as a going concern.”
It's reported that administrators from PwC are now in talks with Poundland over a potential deal to offload about 100 stores.
Wilko, which employed around 12,500 staff, had already announced a £13 million deal to sell 51 shops to B&M, although the rival discounter has not agreed to take on Wilko workers as part of the deal.
Administrators have already announced more than 1,600 redundancies at Wilko in recent weeks.
The Range, another value retailer, is in advanced talks to buy Wilko's brand and online assets.