THREE stores under threat of closure following the collapse into administration of high street chain Wilko may be saved in a buyout deal.
Details of the branches in the north of England that will shut their doors have been revealed, with more than 1,000 job losses nationally.
But sites in Denton, Droylsden and Ashton-under-Lyne were not included, meaning they may be included in talks with B and M to take on 51 properties.
Wilko announced which will close on Tuesday, September 12 and Thursday, September 14, with the nearest to Tameside being in Stockport.
Now hopes are high a deal to prevent every shop disappearing can be struck by joint administrators Zelf Hussain, Jane Steer and Edward Williams.
In a statement, PwC said: “The joint administrators of the companies can announce that they have entered into an agreement to provide B&M with the option to acquire up to 51 properties, after the administration trading period concludes at those sites.
“We continue to explore all interest in the remainder of the business and are actively working with potential buyers.
It has become clear from these discussions that some stores do not form part of any ongoing interest in the Wilko store portfolio.
“The administrators’ dedicated employee team will continue to help provide support, including assisting in the statutory redundancy claims process and ensuring the dedicated employee helpline remains in place to address any employee queries.
The administrators continue to liaise closely with the government, agencies, unions and large employers to help create avenues to further employment opportunities for affected staff.”
Edward Williams added: “In the absence of viable offers for the whole business, very sadly store closures and redundancies of team members from those stores are now necessary, in addition to the already announced redundancies at the support centre and distribution centres.
“We know this has been a deeply unsettling time for everyone concerned and would like to express our gratitude to all Wilko team members for the dedication and support they have continued to give the business in the most trying of circumstances.”
PwC told The Correspondent details of which stores are involved in the talks with B and M could not be revealed because of a confidentiality agreement.