End of an era as Wilko closes in Lowestoft town centre

The Wilko store on Gordon Road in Lowestoft was one of 24 shops across the UK that closed on Tuesday afternoon after a rescue deal for the budget retail chain collapsed.

Last day of the Wilko store in Lowestoft before it closed for the final time. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

It came after a rescue bid to save the discount chain broke down after the homeware retailer went into administration in August.

Employees at the Lowestoft branch were seen trying to boost the mood on Tuesday as music was played in the store, just off London Road North - the main town centre shopping thoroughfare.

Having been based on Gordon Road, Lowestoft since it created 88 new jobs when it opened in November 2009, there was disappointment after it was revealed last week that the branch was among the first wave of shop closures across the region.

The Last Day Today sign installed at the Wilko branch in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

With signs having gone up at the Lowestoft branch of Wilko, highlighting "1000s of reductions throughout the store" and savings of "up to 60 per cent off" as part of the "Wilko administration sale" recently, the end of an era saw a "Last Day Today" sign installed to mark the pending closure.