Sir Brandon Lewis to organise meeting after Wilko closure

The Wilko shop inside Market Gates Shopping Centre will be closing for good on Thursday, September 14. 

The closure comes as the national chain went into administration in August, putting 12,500 jobs at risk.

Discount retailer B&M will rescue 51 Wilko outlets across the country in a £13m deal. However, the Great Yarmouth branch will not be included.

Great Yarmouth's Wilko branch will close on Thursday, September 14. Picture - Denise Bradley (Image: Denise Bradley)

Sir Brandon Lewis said: "The closure of Wilko in Market Gates is sad news for our town and even worse news for their loyal employees.

"Although this sad outcome is a product of market forces, social change and business decisions, we should not lose track of the human aspect, and so my first priority is to seek assurances from the DWP that support will be offered to those who need it. 

"I will also be meeting shortly with the Town Centre Partnership and representatives of Market Gates to discuss the situation in more detail.

Great Yarmouth MP Sir Brandon Lewis. Picture - PA Media (Image: PA Media)

"On the wider challenges facing the town centre and wider retail economy, we are lucky to have a proactive Conservative controlled Borough Council and supportive Conservative Government who has contributed significant capital sums to support improvements, via the Future High Streets and Town Deal Funds. 

"I will continue to engage with the borough council, and wish to reiterate my ongoing support for their ambitious plans."

Carl Smith, leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council, said the loss of Wilko in Great Yarmouth was a 'blow' for the town. Picture - Newsquest (Image: Archant)

Great Yarmouth Borough Council leader Carl Smith said the council will work with the owners of Market Gates "to see what can be done with the soon-to-be empty retail unit.

He added that the shop's announced closure was "a blow" especially with the ongoing regeneration of the town centre, which includes the £4.7m market building and the conversion of the former Palmers department store into a library and education centre.

'Everywhere you look is empty shops'

Virginia Pearson outside Wilko in MArket Gates shopping centre. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)

Shoppers said the store's planned closure has added uncertainty to the future of the town centre.

Virginia Pearson said: "Wilko closing is like everything else in town. It happened to M&S then Debenhams and now Wilko.

"More and more people will go out of town and shop at Gapton." 

Phillip Griffen said Great Yarmouth's town centre is dwindling. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)

Phillip Griffen used to work in Market Gates and recalled when Sainsbury's left the shopping centre.

"It was quiet for a long while after," he said.

"Now with Wilko going, it's going to be dead.

"We're just dwindling and dwindling. Everywhere you look is empty shops."

Remi Cone (left), Brandon Stannard, Georgia Horton and Ryan Horton outside Market Gates. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)

Remi Cone said the sad truth is that online shopping is taking over traditional trade.

"It's going to have an impact for sure," she said.

"There's been so many closures in the last four years alone. There'll be nothing but second-hand shops and phone shops in the town soon."

Returning holidaymaker John Taylor said it was sad that so many people were going to be made redundant following Wilko's closure. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)

Returning holidaymaker John Taylor said the town centre has a "hard future ahead".

"The place isn't what it used to be," he said.

Wilko has been in Market Gates shopping centre since 1994. Picture - Denise Bradley (Image: Newsquest)