Wilko store in Devizes remains empty a year after closure

The Devizes Wilko branch closed on September 7 last year amidst the national retailer’s collapse, which saw hundreds of stores across the country shut down.

The large unit on High Street has since been marketed by Johnson Fellows and is still advertised as available on a new lease, but remains empty.

At the time, the loss of the store was described as a “very sad day” for the town centre and both shoppers and staff were left emotional.

Speaking on Wilko’s last day in the town, former staff members staff Claire and Julie 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.”

READ MORE: Wilko store in Devizes closes permanently on 'sad day'

The former Devizes Wilko (Image: Newsquest) The future of the space appears to remain undecided, with the unit still listed on property website Zoopla for an undisclosed rent.

The listing describes the store as a prominent shop in a convenient location for retailers.

It said: “Former Wilko store with prominent High Street frontage and additional rear customer access direct from main town centre car park.

“Nearby occupiers include Superdrug, Caffe Nero, Timpson, Pizza Express, The Works.

“Other town centre occupiers include M&S Simply Food and Poundland.”

Town councillors have previously told this paper they hope a new use for the building can be found to “draw in” shoppers.

The former Devizes Wilko (Image: Newsquest) In January, Town Clerk Simon Fisher said: “Principally we want to see it occupied and being used, I suspect the size of the unit is too big to be an independent retailer, although I could be wrong.

“There is always space for one or two larger retailers that support some of the shopping habits that people have.

“Ideally we’ll get someone in there who is selling the products that people want to buy and it will become another draw into the town.”

At the time, the town council had worked to remove a spate of graffiti targeting the store that left it looking “untidy”,

It was hoped that filling the unit would discourage any further incidents.

Cllr Jonathan Hunter added: “It’s a very attractive site and I’d like to see a presence in there that brings people into the town.”