Spalding Wilko staff bid an emotional farewell to customers on final day
‘Heartbroken’ workers at Wilko have been saying their last goodbyes to customers today – with the town’s store now set to close for good.
Loyal staff at the Spalding branch will be closing the doors of their Holland Market store for the last time today – and many of them have been reflecting on the years they have dedicated to working for the company.
Cathy Congreve, who has worked at Wilko for 20 years, said: “It's been a massive part of my life. I have worked my way up from starting in the warehouse to now being a supervisor. It is such a sad way for it all to end.”
The whole team explained how supportive customers have been. Cathy added: “We’ve had children bringing us sweets, different people donating money, biscuits, chocolates and lots of hugs. It’s also been so nice to read all of the lovely messages left on the wall as well.”
After working at the store for eight years, Jackie Thomas said: “I am heartbroken, we have built so many friendships. I’d say my highlights have been working with the staff and getting to know all of our regular customers.”
Many of the staff have written messages on each other’s shirts, wishing everyone the best of luck for the future and expressing how much they will miss them.
Donna Hardy, who has worked at the store for 12 years, said: “Today has been hard. Lots of our regular customers are genuinely upset for us, some of them have even been coming up to us asking to sign our shirts. It is really sad that is has come to this.”
Supervisor Mel Vickovic has dedicated 18 years to Wilko. She added: “The team is like a family, It’s all very sad.”
The troubled retailer has been forced to close stores such as the one in Spalding after suffering financial difficulties.
As lots of the staff members begin to move on from this chapter, many will be looking for new jobs elsewhere. It has been suggested that some of the stores in our area such as Morrisons, Lidl and Aldi have offered support to the workers.
The team will be celebrating the years they have spent together in the pub thanks to a £150 donation from one generous customer.
