Empty shelves amid closing down sale at Wilko store in Bradford

Empty shelves and “Everything Must Go” posters are visible at the Rawson Quarter shop which is set to close on September 17.

It follows the collapse of the high street chain which fell into administration in August.

Administrators PwC then confirmed the closure of the firm’s remaining 400 stores and the loss of 9,100 staff after attempts to save the company came to an end.

The Range has agreed a deal to buy the Wilko brand but it will not prevent Wilko stores from disappearing from the high street.

Bradford’s store is among the first wave of closures, with further branches expected to close on September 19 and 21.

Empty shelves at Wilko in Bradford as the store prepares to close down (Image: Newsquest)

It comes as ministers have insisted the British high street is not dead but merely changing, after Labour accused the Government of “giving up” on retail following the collapse of Wilko.

Business minister Kevin Hollinrake insisted high street shopping is “reshaping itself”, as homeware shop the Range confirmed it will buy Wilko’s brand, website and intellectual property.

But shadow business secretary Jonathan Reynolds said the loss of Wilko was a “significant blow to the nation’s high streets”, and warned the Government’s response did not “match the scale” of the problems facing town and city centres.

The Range’s deal means the Wilko name will not disappear from high streets for good, with the retailer confirming that it will sell Wilko products “in-store”.

More than 10,000 Wilko workers are set to lose their jobs by next month as a result of the chain’s collapse.

Inside Wilko in Bradford which is closing down (Image: Newsquest)

In the Commons, Labour frontbencher Mr Reynolds said: “The loss of Wilko is a significant blow to the nation’s high streets.

“However, what is most concerning is that no rescue has proved possible because several bidders have said that town centre retail is just no longer a viable business model.

“So in light of that, does the Government really believe their current policy environment is sufficient for British high streets to thrive?”

Mr Hollinrake replied: “Of course, we are very concerned by the families affected by Wilko’s demise.

“It is a very competitive marketplace, the world of retail, of course.

“I don’t accept his premise the high street is dead, not at all.

“It is reshaping itself and while it does so of course we are very determined to help it, such as with the £13.6 billion of rates relief over the next five years.”