Chester’s Wilko on Foregate street closed today, one of the last in the country to close. The store opened in March 2016 having moved from its original location further down the street where it had traded for 29 years previously.

The news that all Wilko stores were to close was perhaps no surprise given the company’s predicament. Fingers had been crossed that some stores would be saved but it was not to be, the sadness amplified by the fact that this wasn’t a store closing down due to lack of customers.

With the closure of BHS in 2016 and Browns/Debenhams in 2021, the sights inside the final days of shops have become depressingly familiar as shelves empty and aren’t replenished, the growing sense of emptiness, a void replacing what once was. Here the upper floor which previously housed the home department was closed off earlier in the week. A blackboard near the escalator which previously listed news and special offers about the store was repurposed for an emotional message of thanks. On the final weekend a message staff altered the lyrics of James’ Blunt’s “Goodbye my lover” to say “Goodbye my Wilko”. The tribute formed from sheets of sellotaped A4 pieces of paper reminds us of the human cost of closure, losing their team- the adopted friends and family of a retail worker.

As a regular customer I will miss the garden section most, options now being very limited in the city centre given the closure of the Forum B&M at Christmas. From flower bulbs to seeds and pots, the store had it all, in a convenient high street location. I’ll also miss the store for its pic n’ mix- remembering the joy of an essential-to-mental health purchase post lockdown. I stocked up on Wilko multi purpose wipes, perfect for cleaning Lego. Most things you needed, you could buy here. Sure there are plenty of other places you can buy a packet of sunflower seeds or a box of bone meal- but for someone who believes in city centres, the sad trend continues. My very last purchase from the store was a garden dibber reduced to 20p.

Goodbye my Wilko

Store manager Rebecca Bradbury assumed her role 7 and a half years ago, after a career of 19 years across a number of stores. ” On walking through Chester and into the brand new building on Foregate St I knew immediately I wanted to work here

“I don’t think at that point I realised how much I would come to love Chester, from the city itself, my team of fantastic people, the friends we’ve made in the local stores, to the customers who have came through our doors on a daily basis, store and the city itself. Everyone who works at Wilko will tell you how much of a family we are to each other, and I think that’s very obvious to everyone who sees us on a regular basis. Over these past few months we’ve both laughed and cried at the same time! Not only for the demise of the business we have been a part of for in some cases over 30 years, but also for knowing that we will no longer be working together as a team and seeing each other everyday. We will always love Wilko for the part it’s played in all of our lives, and are saddened that the changes that were made in the last 12 months weren’t made quite quick enough to ensure the survival of the business.

“I’d just like to say thank you to all our loyal lovely customers that have made working in Chester an absolute pleasure over the years, and that I’m sorry we won’t be a part of the high street any longer. We hope that all of our loyal customers continue to shop in the city and show support for the high street that we all love, to ensure the success of Chester in the future.”

Now joining the rank of Chester memories, the closure of Wilko leaves another hole in our (and everyone else’s ) transient high street. Thank you and good luck to all the staff.

Staff photo : Rebecca Bradbury

Opening day March 2016

Oct 8th 2023