Budget UK retailer Wilko has filed a notice of intent to appoint administrators in a move that leaves 12,000 jobs at risk.
The popular household and gardening chain, which has around 400 stores including one in Leeds city centre on Albion Street, has struggled in the tough economic climate.
Last year it borrowed £40m from restructuring specialist Hilco, cut jobs, and closed several stores after falling to a loss.
Wilko has reportedly struggled to pay suppliers and has had to pause some deliveries after a credit insurer withdrew cover for the retailer.
The company filed a notice of intent on Thursday that over the past few months, it had been working with advisory firm PricewaterhouseCoopers in an attempt to find a buyer in the hopes of freeing up more cash to keep the retail chain afloat.
Image: Manchester Arndale
Wilko chief executive Mark Jackson has confirmed that whilst there were ‘significant levels of interest’, the business has not yet received an offer.
He said:“We’ll continue to progress discussions with interested parties with the aim of completing a transaction which preserves the business.”
A notice of intention protects a business from creditors for 10 days in order to give it time to secure its finances, and does not necessarily mean that its stores will close.
The business needs to find more cash by the end of the month, however, and if the administration process is unsuccessful things may in turn lead to liquidation.
In a statement, Mark Jackso said: “While we can confirm we’ve had a significant level of interest, including indicative offers that we believe would meet all our financial criteria to recapitalise the business, at present, we don’t today have an offer that provides the necessary liquidity in the time we have available, given the mounting cash pressures we’re faced with.
“Unfortunately, with this in mind, today we’re having to take the difficult decision to file a [notice of intention to appoint administrators].”
“We continue to believe that our robust turnaround plan, with significant re-stabilisation cost savings in progress, will deliver a profitable Wilko and maximise the significant opportunities that we know exist.”
As of the end of March we won't be able to get our Percy Pig fix on Wellington Street any longer.
Whether you're popping in for a Dine in for Two Meal Deal or an iconic Colin the Caterpillar cake, there's no denying that we all love a cheeky trip to M&S.
After all, it's not just food...it's M&S food.
But unfortunately for us, one Marks & Spencer food hall in the city centre is closing its doors for good at the end of this month.
The one in question is on Wellington Street, just round the corner from the train station and nearby the Wellington Place development.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Signs have gone up on the windows announcing its closure, stating it will be closing on Saturday 22 March 2025.
Now the only two remaining stores are the train station location and the superstore on Briggate.
We here at The Hoot shared the sad news via Instagram and were met with mixed responses.
Comments said: "This is an odd move to make, I use that store a lot. We have a massive residential population now in the West End, including myself and we'll be left with just two supermarkets to serve the whole district, Tesco and Sainsburys."
"Like most of these developments they can’t predict the footfall, just like down at Leeds dock, it’s a ghost town because people go into the centre. Oh and if you want a big shop, you’ll take your car to either crown point or whiterose to put your shopping in."
"I love this store ! I use it all the time . Also get my clothes collections from there - I hate going to the big one in town and the station one is not great . I will really miss it @marksandspencerfood please rethink !"
So if you're after a final browse around the food hall, you've only got a few more weeks to do so.
Tesco is set to trial personalised Clubcard prices giving shoppers even cheaper offers
Emily Sergeant
Tesco is trialling personalised Clubcard offers which give customers tailored prices based on their purchases.
The supermarket ‘s Clubcard loyalty scheme has more than 20 million people signed-up nationwide, making it one of the most popular of its kind on the market, by far – but over the coming weeks, prices could begin to get cheaper for some than they already are as part of the new ‘Your Clubcard Prices’ scheme being trialled.
The scheme, which is being launched nationwide to a select group of people, will see shoppers sent new personalised offers every Wednesday, on top of all other existing deals.
These will be sent via the Tesco Clubcard app, and added automatically at the checkout.
Images: The Manc Group
At this moment in time, it’s believed to be unclear how many people are a part of the trial, and also how long the trial will last for.
What we do know, however, is that customers will be able to use their personalised offers multiple times for a total of seven days in larger Tesco stores, but at present, they unfortunately can’t be used in Express locations.
“We are constantly looking for ways to make Clubcard work harder for our customers,” a Tesco spokesperson explained.
“We are currently offering Your Clubcard Prices to a trial group of our Clubcard members, giving them offers on products they regularly buy at Tesco, in addition to the thousands of Clubcard Prices available to all Clubcard members each week.”
The news that Tesco is trialling personalised Clubcard offers comes after the retailer was advised by leading consumer watchdog, Which?, last February to make prices clearer for customers.
It also comes after the UK’s cheapest supermarket of 2024 has was revealed.
The Hoot -
3rd August 2023 
