Leader of Ashfield District Council, Jason Zadrozny has spoken of his disappointment at the closure of two Wilko stores in the District.
Wilko is a major part of High Streets in Hucknall and Sutton-in-Ashfield.
The stores will close in the next four weeks.
Councillor Zadrozny has said he was disappointed that the Government didn’t step in to save the retailer like they did with the banks.
He has confirmed that the Council are working with the DWP to support those who will lose their jobs.
The Council is now working with partners to attract retailers to replace the stores.
Ashfield District Council Leader Jason Zadrozny said,
“News that our stores will close in the next month is devastating for both employers and our town centres.
“As a Council, we are offering as much support we can, alongside the DWP to affected workers.
“These stores are a huge part of the retail offer in both Hucknall and Sutton-in-Ashfield.
“Retailers like Wilko faced an existential crisis due inflationary pressure, the cost of living crisis and rising interest rates.
“I am disappointed that the Conservative Government failed to look at options to save Wilko – just like they did with the banks.
“If the Government was really serious about really levelling up – they would have intervened to protect jobs and save our high streets.
“This will have a heavy impact on Hucknall and Sutton-in-Ashfield. As a Council, we will act swiftly to attract retailers to fill the huge space left by Wilko.”
Councillor Lee Waters, Councillor for Hucknall Central said:
“This is clearly bad news for Hucknall and our hearts go out to all those staff who have lost their jobs.
“I am pleased that both the Council and the DWP are acting swiftly to support workers. As a Council, the Ashfield Independents who run it remain committed to regenerating our Town Centre via the Levelling Up fund bid.
“This will impact Hucknall and other towns and cities in the UK and I want to reassure residents that the work to fill the huge gap that will be left by Wilko has already started.”
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