'It's been a blast!': Staff bid emotional goodbye to Wellington's Wilko after 30 years

Having failed to secure a takeover that would have saved the business, the bargain chain went into administration last month and announced the closure of all 400 of its stores.

Hundreds of shoppers turned out on Tuesday to snap up the last few bargains and bid farewell to the store that had served the community for 30 years.

A handwritten sign outside appealed for kindness towards staff and thanked customers for their "custom and loyalty".

It ended: "I would like to thank every team member for all the support, hard work and dedication and wish them all the very best for the future. It's been a blast!"

Emotions were running high for the 16 members of staff in the final hours of opening.

"I just want it to be over now," Sandra Matthews said.

"The last seven weeks have been awful. I've been here for 23 years. It's all I've ever known so for me to go for an interview now - it's just going to be horrendous.

"There's about seven of us who have been here for 20 or 30 years, a few that have been here for 10. We're just one little family, we bounce off each other and it keeps us going."

Sandra said she thought the writing had been on the wall for the store's bosses for a few years.

"When I first started there were 100 staff, there are 16 now. I think they tried to make it like a John Lewis store.

"The people in Wellington don't want a John Lewis, they want a Wilkinsons. Somewhere they can come and get what they want at good prices.

"They had the warning signs, and they ignored it."

Customers too, lamented the loss of the store which had occupied the site for three decades.

Hadley resident, Merle Taylor, said the closure "hasn't quite sunk in".

She said: "It's been here with us for so long. It being so close to the market and so central, you can get things for the kitchen, for the bathroom, for the bedroom. It's like doing a one pot."

Nicola Walker, from Wellington, popped into the store on Tuesday to say her goodbyes to the staff.

"It's just so sad. Wellington is losing an institution - the hours are lovely, you can pop in before school or after work. I haven't been in much because it's just too sad. I just want to support them today."

The feelings were clear throughout the store, with many miss you's, best wishes and a huge 'thank you for being a part of our lives and community' adorning the noticeboards inside.

There's no intention to disappear quietly, however, with nearby farm shop Anthony's of Wellington providing a goodbye buffet for the staff on Wednesday.

"We'll have a little party," staff member Pauline Pritchard said, "have a redun-dance!"

The chain's demise saw five stores announce closures across Shropshire. Shrewsbury closed last week and Market Drayton's on Monday, while Telford is set to close on October 5, and Oswestry on October 8.

Fifty-one of the stores are said to have been snapped up by B&M, while Pepco, which owns Poundland, will take on the leases of 71 more.