Liscard Wilko employees see first and last day of trading at store

Wilko in the Cherry Tree Shopping Centre closed its doors for the final time yesterday (Thursday, September 29) after 24 years.

The hardware and furnishings retailer tumbled into administration last month after it came under pressure from weak consumer spending and debts to suppliers.

The Liscard Wilko shop, which had 80 staff at the time, was opened in May 1999 under its original name Wilkinson.

Opening day in 1999 (Image: Mark Warren)

Janine Slater, 51, and Mark Warren, 50, both from Liscard, were original Wilko employees and spoke to the Globe about their time at the store.

Janine, who was 27 when she started at Wilko, said: "We've always been a great team and worked hard together.

"We've always lifted each other up because we've been here for so long.

"We've seen births, marriages and sadly over more than two decades we have lost some lovely customers and characters like the famous Wilf.

"So many of us have lost our own families over the years and been there for each other everyday, which I m so grateful for.

"We also sadly lost our first manager Gary Gerrard and our beautiful co-worker Hayley Cadogan."

The team at Wilko in Liscard (Image: Chloe Nightingale)

Mark added: "Well we started the shop off together. 

"We've always had great parties and Christmas dos.

"We built the shop up, there was nothing when we opened", Janine said.

"Now, we have had to take it down bit by bit. It is really sad."

Mark and Janine (Image: Chloe Nightingale)

'We've supported each other to the very end'

Speaking about receiving the news on the companies closure, Janine said they "didn't believe it at first".

"Most of my family and friends worked here", she said.

"I think we thought it could be saved but as time went on we realised it was not going to happen."

Mark added: "We're like family here so we've supported each other to the very end.

"We've kept each other perky and no one has been crying. We've got to keep the banter going."

The staff wanted to thank their customers for all of their donations.

Birkenhead's Wilko will close next week (Sunday, October 7).