Harlow Council leader issues statement on closure of Wilko store
Business / Wed 27th Sep 2023 at 09:22am
THE Wilko store in Harlow closed on Tuesday 26 September after the company went into administration.
Councillor Dan Swords, Leader of Harlow Council, said: “We have been following events closely since Wilko fell into administration and are disappointed to see that the Harlow store cease trading yesterday.
“Our immediate thoughts are with the employees and their families who face a difficult and uncertain period ahead after giving loyal service to Harlow customers for many years. We are on standby to support the Department for Work & Pensions who will already be helping the local workers affected by assisting with finding new jobs and career support.
“When we purchased the Harvey Centre, changes like this were factored into the future income levels and we have already forecast reducing rent from this unit. Despite the Wilko closure, the Harvey Centre’s performance remains strong and above projected income levels, and we continue to work closely with the asset managers to bring new occupiers into the centre.
“In terms of the future of the Wilko unit, discussions are ongoing regarding potential replacement tenants for the entire unit, as well consideration of potential subdivision and reconfiguration options.”
Mark
2023-09-27 16:15:28
Empty words from Cllr Swords.
Kevin willacy
2023-09-27 16:23:44
Why don't you try and get marks and spencer back into harlow
jacqui thurgood
2023-09-27 16:33:25
Why not turn the large empty shops, such as Wilko and BHS, into indoor markets, featuring crafts people who do not need a shop but somewhere to sell goods, and local tradespeople and suppliers. Give the smaller people a chance
Ricky Burnall
2023-09-27 16:35:35
Poundland to buy Wilkos
Tracy Salzen
2023-09-27 18:25:40
Jacqui Thurgood, great idea.
Pat
2023-09-27 18:32:56
Totally agree with Jacqui - an indoor market would be great . And give a chance to local crafts and tradespeople . It certainly works in Romford . These big premises are never going to be let as a whole - BHS has been empty for years , no confidence at all that the Wilko store will be any different .
Sean
2023-09-27 19:45:20
While everyone feels the loss of another high street name going to the wall, the retail landscape has changed and changed forever, walk down Oxford St in London once the location mecca for retail gaints rows of empty fronts can be seen. People's shopping habits have changed, online shopping is the real killer of the high street....
David morton
2023-09-27 21:29:37
Can't help wondering with all the new developments rapidly going up around the town what the attraction is with no infrastructure, why would you move into harlow without any decent shopping facilities??
KB
2023-09-28 06:35:19
Sean it does make you wonder why the council purchased the town centre. Particularly with the number local authorities entering into bankruptcy after similar investments
Phil
2023-09-28 07:00:06
Whenever I went into Wilko there were about three customers in there. That's why it closed.
Gillian Renshaw
2023-09-28 08:23:40
A food only M&S. an indoor market sounds great to. Give the stall holders permanent pitches. The market in the market square used to be good. Bring back happy times.
Nicholas Taylor
2023-09-28 08:47:27
KB, the Council have only bought a small part of the town centre, Henderson, the council do not house people from London. The real reason for much of the Town Centre looking derelict is because land owners are sitting on their a.........s, sorry I meant assets which until now have been increasing in value. Sites like the former Square, the one adjacent to the former Odeon cinema, half one side of Broadwalk owned by Strawberry Star and Market House have all lain derelict for many years and will continue to do so until such time as a huge profit can be made from them. Other buildings need a modern make over, years of under investment has left what remains of the town centre looking very shabby. We in the meantime have a council with a down beat vision for the town centre, spending millions of pound building a new bus station despite the lack of a decent bus service, yet more millions on a cultural square which will still leave the town with the smallest theatre in the region and holding on to the hope that bars and restaurants will attract more visitors to the town. The town centre needs to provide things which will attract more visitors, the former BHS store should be turned into an area where a rolling programme of events can take place such as toy fairs, vintage car shows, street food event, Christmas Market, model railway exhibition, local firms advertising their produce, jobs fair, exhibition space .... and so it goes on.
Deborah Howard
2023-09-29 09:56:18
Whatever is decided for this unit please don’t have another coffee/ cafe/ food outlet As previous comments an indoor market might be great
Andrew Keith martin
2023-09-29 11:42:40
The town centres are slowly dying due to cheap Internet shopping. Unless you have a unique product to entice people into your business I cannot see anything lasting more than a couple of years. It's all coffee shops and charity and that's only going to grow. Let's get some new ideas flowing to generate footflow and maybe set up a ideas meeting from different traders and the council to put heads together to see what comes out of it.
wxxs
2023-09-29 18:47:30
nicolas taylor , i know that not to be true , where i live i know the residents and have been told that islington council bought in , harlow is selling properties to islington and hackney , infact they have just had to buy some back as housing stock is to low , i live in the stow area , the town is run down due to greedy council charging to higher rents for businesses to survive !!
Gary Stokes
2023-09-30 12:52:38
Regarding The Councillor's comment, My Wife has not had any support or been offered any support, after working for Wilko for 17years... So Mr Dan Swords why hasn't my wife been offered any support
Sheryl
2023-10-02 15:49:16
Should be a lush shop!
Margaret Creagh
2023-10-03 08:03:45
I have lived here all my life and noticed a rapid decline in the town centre, not at all pleasurable to shop there anymore, the market square end is appalling, filled with drunk people, not a nice site to see when your shopping, more buildings replaced with flats going up , full of charity shops and coffee shops, bring back marks and Spencer’s , all went downhill when they closed. The whole town needs a facelift, I don’t shop there anymore, I agree with others, use the big stores for indoor markets, let’s try and save small businesses, let’s bring fun and laughter back to the town, it is dying
18 Comments for Harlow Council leader issues statement on closure of Wilko store: