The final moments before Wilko in Oxford closed down for good have been captured in emotional photographs as the store serves its final customers today (September 28).

The high street retailer - originally founded by James Kemsey Wilkinson in Leicester in 1930 - fell into administration last month after it was unable to secure a rescue deal after coming under pressure from weak consumer spending and debts to suppliers.

Administrators PwC revealed recently there would be 111 stores closing this week including the Cowley branch, following a further 52 earlier in the month.

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Huge 'store closing' and ‘last day today’ signs have been plastered all over the store in Templars Square Shopping Centre.

Oxford Mail: Wilko in Oxford closes down

Shoppers have been able to grab last-minute discounted items at the store, with shelves left bare.

10p birthday cards and 60p bottles of fake tan were among the few items remaining this morning.

Regular customer Patricia Donahue said: “It is very sad. I live nearby and used to come in every day really to walk around.

“We know the staff really well so we feel sad for them. A lot of the staff were elderly and you think 'where are they going to find something new?'.

“Since Covid, it hasn’t been as busy. Covid affected it. The stock was less.

“I feel more sad for the staff than the shop. People are people and that’s more important than a shop.”

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Oxford Mail: Wilko in Oxford closes down

Warren Carter, who lives in Harwell, believes online shopping is “killing” the high street.

He said: “I was surprised when I heard it was closing down.

“I didn’t know it was going today and I said to my partner let’s just pop in and to see it like this is sad. The last time I came in here, it was full.

“The way things are going at the moment, the high street is nearly over. That’s what it seems like as people are just shopping online.

“The likes of Amazon are killing the high street which is a shame.”

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Oxford Mail: Wilko in Oxford closes down

Family-owned Wilko employed 12,500 staff and ran 400 shops before it hired administrators early last month as it came under pressure from weak consumer spending and debts to suppliers.

Administrators at PwC were forced to sell off Wilko’s assets after failing to secure a rescue deal for the whole business.

Poundland owner Pepco agreed earlier this month to buy up to 71 Wilko stores from administrator PwC following the collapse of the high street chain.

PwC also struck a deal for fellow discount chain B&M to buy 51 other Wilko stores, while The Range agreed a deal to buy Wilko’s brand for around £5 million.

But all 400 Wilko stores will close with the last remaining shops set to shut on October 8.