‘Another nail in the coffin’: Shoppers react to the closure of Hartlepool’s popular Wilko store

Wilko, which sits at the junction of Stockton Street and Victoria Road, will close at 5.30pm today on Tuesday, September 26, and by the end of next week all 400 stores across the country will have closed.

Mother and daughter, Pamela Birch, 52, and Jasmine Birch, 27, came down to the store this morning for some last-minute bargains.

Jasmine said: “It’s just a shame really. It has been a good shop for all things. I remember coming in for school supplies and crafts and Christmas decorations as well.”

Mum Pamela said: “I am gutted. I have got everything here from the little things to the biggest things. It’s just another shop that has gone. If I’m looking for something, I’ll say, Wilko will have it. It is all under one roof.”

For Jasmine, who has autism, she likes being able to find everything she needs in one shop.

She added: “It’s a real shame.”

Margaret Fenwick came all the way down from Peterlee today after seeing her local Wilko close last week.

Speaking about Middleton Grange, she said: “There are not many shops here. There are only a few charity shops. It is very sad.

"I have worked here most of my life but I have never seen it like this. It is different to what it was like when I was younger.

"I enjoyed my era.”

Ryan Storey, 27, said: “It is out of the way in the town anyway. I think that is what closed it down. I think that is half the problem.”

Ryan is not a regular shopper at Wilko, only coming down today to look for some bargains.

He said: “I think the town is going to close soon. The only thing we have now is food and charity shops.”

He added: “It’s another nail in the coffin. It is awful, there is nothing here.”

Pat Coultas joined her friend in the hunt for some cheap deals this morning but was feeling despondent.

She said: “There are just no shops left.”

Mark Rycraft, Centre Manager at Middleton Grange Shopping Centre said: “Unfortunately, this is part of a nationwide strategic restructure for Wilko,” He added: “This news is hugely disappointing for Hartlepool, and especially for the dedicated team who have served our shoppers for many years.

"We have advised our retailers to consider Wilko staff when they are looking for additional staffing over Christmas or need temporary support.”