Staff at St Helens Wilko speak on store's last day

Today at 5.30pm – or before if all the stock has gone – Wilko’s will cease trading in St Helens.

The store joins many others in closing, including Earlestown, after weeks of uncertainty following Wilko's slide into administration last month. Numerous bids from interested parties failed to take over the whole business.

Wilko staff on the last day inside the store on the last day of trading (Image: NQ staff)

It was an emotional day for the Cotham Street store's staff members, some who have served the town for more than years.

The shutters will be closed for the final time by Gill Foster, a gran-of-two from Rainford who has worked at the store for 34 years.

She was crying talking to the Star, and said: “It’s a family here and I genuinely loved working here. I never thought it would close.

“I’m 66, but I had no plans on retiring here, I just loved it, I would have carried on.

“I don’t know how I won’t cry later, I’m crying now already. I just can’t believe it. It’s just so sad.”

Store manager Lee, who didn’t want to give his surname, added: “I’ve never not worked and I’m a dad of two with a mortgage and on Saturday I’m officially jobless despite working my way up here.

“Others have been here 30 plus years, Wilko’s has been their only employer.

“The way we have been treated during this has been shocking really. This is a family and to have the store manager from other nearby stores here to help and show support just shows that.

Gill Foster with manager Lee (Image: nq staff)

“This was where most staff nearby trained, we’ve all come through this branch.

“It’s been a rollercoaster and we found out most of what was happening by the media; we didn’t have it confirmed to us until last week what was definitely happening.”

Meanwhile, other staff have tried to keep the atmosphere "light" and dressed up for the final day, marking it by doing a conga through the empty store dressed in sombreros and cowboy hats while shoppers cheered them on.

One shopper, who was in tears, was Michelle Atkinson from Haresfinch.

She said: “I don’t get out much but when I do I come here as they are always so friendly.

“The fact they’ve been told they are closing and losing their jobs with just a few days it's shocking that. It’s outrageous.

“So many people are lonely and rely on friendly faces like those who work here to brighten their day.”

Inside the store (Image: Inside the store)

Another long-term employee is Denise Griffiths from Eccleston, who has worked at the store for 30 years.

She said: “We worked this limbo, which has been awful.

“The customers have been great but to lose this place and all it meant to us, business owners don’t get that - how much it means to people.”