DISCOUNT chains Home Bargains and Dunelm are keen to offer devastated Wilko staff new roles after the retailer collapsed.
In a “wonderful gesture”, the retailers have offered support and new opportunities to Wilko workers as the future of the chain hangs in the balance.
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It comes after the bargain retailer collapsed into administration following failed rescue talks.
Wilko appointed administrators, with all control of the business being passed over to PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).
It had been in a race to find a new owner after filing a notice of intent to appoint administrators last week.
Currently, all 400 shops are continuing to trade as usual but fears have been growing over the future of the chain, as well as 12,000 jobs.
But fellow retailers have jumped in to assure Wilko staff that they won’t be left without a job.
Writing on LinkedIn, Home Bargains said: “We are saddened to hear of the news about Wilko and are thinking of all the colleagues who are affected.
“We’d like to offer our support and are currently recruiting across retail, distribution and head office functions.”
Dunelm echoed this, also writing on the platform: “We’d like to offer our immediate support and bring to your attention some fantastic opportunities we are currently offering in our retail, head office and distribution.”
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Discount stationer The Works said it would “guarantee an interview if there’s a role available” for all Wilko staff.
Shoppers rush to social media to praise the chains for offering their support.
One Facebook user said: “Im a wilko employee, its such a nice gesture and greatly appreciated.”
While another said: “This is so uplifting for the staff to know there is help and people do really care and they are not alone.so heart warming.”
And a third wrote: “So nice to see other companies wanting to help – good luck to all staff affected.”
There’s fresh hope that the majority of the stores could be saved as two discount chains and financial backers are said to have expressed interest in buying the business.
Former Wilko boss Gordon Brown told the BBC that he believes a buyer will swoop in to save parts of the company, but “it will be different from Wilko as we know it, or used to know it”.
Across social media shoppers have been sharing their emotional tributes to the discounter, with many comparing it to the loss of Woolworths.
Chief Executive Officer, Mark Jackson, said yesterday that the company had “left no stone unturned” in a bid to save the chain.
In an emotional open letter to all staff and heartbroken shoppers, Mr Jackson thanked them for their support.
The retailer had been in talks with several companies to find a buyer including the firm behind Laura Ashley – but hopes of a rescue deal failed.
Numerous high street brands have collapsed into administration over the past year.
Wilko’s fall is the biggest British retail collapse since McColl’s plunged into administration in May last year.
But the cornershop chain was saved from closure after Morrisons swooped in to protect 16,000 jobs.
While fashion retailer M&Co also went, with all 170 stores shutting this year.
The brand name though was bought by Yours Clothing, which now has plans to open 50 new M&Co branded stores over the next two years.
Meanwhile, here is the full list of 400 Wilko stores at risk of closing.
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