The Wilko store in York has made a plea to shoppers as its closing down sale continues.
One of 400 stores in the chain that went into administration last month, the Clifton Moor Wilko’s is still open and trading at the moment.
Now customers are greeted with a notice when they enter the store on Stirling Road.
Written in chalk on a blackboard, it says: “We don’t yet have a closing date.
“As soon as we do, we will let our customers know.
“Please refrain from asking staff as this is a very difficult time for our team members.
“For over 90 years we’ve been serving our customers and our loyal team members have always been our greatest asset.
“Thank you for shopping at Wilko.”
The notice makes plain the human cost of the collapse of the family-owned business. It employed 12,500 staff before it hired administrators early last month after it came under pressure from weak consumer spending and debts to suppliers.
Most of those staff now face redundancy.
Some stores have already closed. A total of 71 stores – including the one in Northallerton – have been bought by Poundland.
While there are many empty shelves at the York Wilko store, there are still many items on sale, ranging from stationery to lighting to kitchenware.
Some items are marked down by 50%.
Although the York store has no official closing date, administrators say they expect all stores to be shut by October.
Last week, The Range said it was set to buy Wilko’s brand, website and intellectual property.
Wilko’s name will not disappear from high streets as a result of the deal, with The Range confirming that it will sell Wilko products “in-store”.
But that will not save the shops.