Wilko has been a name known in Nuneaton town centre for decades - but soon it will shut its doors for good. Shelves stand virtually empty at the Church Street-based store ahead of its closure tomorrow (September 26).

It marks the end of an era for the discount chain store, which originally occupied a unit in Stratford Street in the 1970s. Then it moved to what was the former home of Sainbury's in Church Street - where it has remained since.

For years, not only was it a place of employment for locals, it was also a go-to for a generation of shoppers. It was on the verge of a new chapter - as it was due to move from Church Street into the old Woolworths building on Queens Road.

Wilko used to be based on Stratford Street in Nuneaton town centre before moving to its current and last ever home in Church Street

This move was part of the Justice Walk development planned for the Church Street area. A deal had been struck for Wilko to take on the Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council-owned unit in Queens Road, which also played home to Poundland and TJ Hughes.

It would have seen Wilko occupy the whole ground floor and be in a more prominent position in the heart of the town centre. But when the news of the chain's collapse broke, it threw the move into jeopardy and then the final blow was dealt last week when the Nuneaton store appeared on the list of Wilko branch closures this week.

Shelves in the store have been left virtually empty as shoppers have been in to grab a closing sale bargain, as well as say goodbye to staff. This 'human cost' of the loss of the store was spoken about by Town Hall leader, councillor Kris Wilson, who told of his sorrow for those who are losing their jobs.

Now, while the council faces a task of finding a new tenant for the Queens Road-based building, the town prepares to mourn the loss of another big name from its high street.

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