Wilko store in Devizes closes permanently on 'sad day'

Last week administrators announced that the Wilko store on Devizes High Street would close permanently on Tuesday, September 19.

On their final day in business staff at the local store told this paper they were not allowed to provide any comment, but confirmed they would serve their last ever customers before shutting at 6pm.

By Tuesday afternoon the vast majority of the shelves were bare while many of the aisles were taped off and out of bounds for members of the public.

A few shoppers could be seen scooping up what stock remained in the shop, as part of Wilko’s 30 per cent off closing down sale.

Two of the branch’s original staff members, Claire and Julie, returned to the store to say goodbye after leaving their roles several months ago.

Empty shelves in the Devizes Wilko on their last day trading (Image: Newsquest)They told this paper that the store’s closure was a sad day for them, after more than two decades worth of combined service.

They said: “It’s a very sad day because we need places like this in the town.

“We were some of the original employees so we came down to say goodbye, it’s a shame but we’ll have to wait and see what becomes of the shop.”

The sadness at the store’s closure was also on show from a number of shoppers.

One regular, who was visiting for the final time after using the shop weekly, said he was sad to see it go but urged people to continue using the town centre.

The Devizes Wilko on their last day trading (Image: Newsquest)He said: “It’s sad to see it go because we live quite close and were frequent shoppers here.

“It is a shame but what I would say is to keep shopping locally and using the town centre, rather than driving out to shopping outlets.

“We need to keep supporting the town centre and local businesses.”

Another local has hopes that the premises will soon be filled by another business.

He added: “It’s a loss to the High Street and another empty shop, but other than that you just have to hope someone takes over and fills it.”

The future of Wiltshire’s remaining Wilko stores was also confirmed on Tuesday, with branches in Chippenham and Trowbridge to close next week.

Empty shelves in the Devizes Wilko on their last day trading (Image: Newsquest)This comes after a Swindon location shut on the day of the Devizes closure.

All 400 of the budget chain’s shops are due to close by early October.