A popular UK retail chain is all set to shut one of its branches after the firm went into administration. The Wilko store in West Yorkshire is planned to be demolished to make way for new homes and businesses.
Located in Kirkgate in Wakefield, the store is among the five commercial properties that are soon to be demolished. The site will be redeveloped with new housing and business units as part of a broader regeneration initiative led by the local council. Mini Market, Mattress and Divan Centre, Sweet Sensations, and Hi Sushi are among the other retail outlets slated for demolition under the proposed plans.
Several well-known home and furniture retailers in the UK have faced major setbacks in recent years. Wilko, a popular chain, permanently closed in 2023 after nearly 100 years, shutting over 400 stores and affecting 12,000 workers, the Sun reports.
Similarly, Wayfair, a US-based furniture company operating in the UK, reduced its staff from 847 to 405 between 2022 and 2024 due to falling sales and profits.
MADE.com, another furniture brand, went into administration in 2022 after failing to secure a buyer, resulting in hundreds of job losses.
Habitat also closed all its physical stores in 2021 and now operates only online, following years of poor performance.
Wakefield Council secured nearly £25 million from the government’s Towns Fund in 2019 to support a major regeneration project. The plan focuses on transforming Lower Kirkgate, a key gateway to the city centre and its waterfront, which the council previously described as a “blight” on Wakefield.
Although the initial planning proposal has been approved, a further application will be needed before redevelopment can begin.
The project aims to attract younger professionals to live in the area and boost activity throughout the day and evening, bringing new energy and life to the city centre.