Great Yarmouth Wilko's longest-serving staff say goodbye

The shelves inside the Market Gates Shopping Centre store were almost empty of stock while last-minute customers bought the last of the sale items and spoke to shop assistants.

The town's Wilko branch closed on Thursday, September 14, after being open for one month shy of 29 years.

It's the first time I've ever worked on my birthday, said Great Yarmouth Wilko's longest-serving assistant Sarah Williams during her last shift. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)Sarah Williams is the longest-serving member of the Great Yarmouth shop, beginning at its opening in October 1994.

She began her career as a greeter, handing baskets to customers, before working on the checkouts. Later, she also worked on the help desk and had supervisor roles.

"There have been a lot of changes, with different managers coming and going," Ms Williams said.

EVERYTHING MUST GO: Empty shelves inside Great Yarmouth Wilko on its final day. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)"But I've enjoyed every second of it.

"We used to have fantastic dress-up days and I've worked with some great colleagues.

"We've seen some tough times together, and the past two weeks have been some of the toughest.

STORE CLOSING: Most of Wilko's last stock was gone ahead of its closing in Great Yarmouth. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)"But we've tried to keep strong for one another.

"We were holding on and hoping for the best.

"But it wasn't meant to be."

Ms Williams, who also celebrated her birthday while on her final shift with Wilko, said she was going to take two weeks off before looking for a new job.

Jennifer Lengden, who has been at Wilko for 28 years, on her final shift at the Great Yarmouth shop. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)Shopping assistant Jennifer Lengden started on August 20, 1995.

She said she was "devastated" at hearing the shop would close after nearly 29 years.

"It's not about the store, it's about the people you meet and the friends you make," she said.

"I've seen a lot of people come and go over the years. We've always been a good company to work for. We had a good laugh and the staff always helped each other out.

"I am going to really miss it."

Signage from the Great Yarmouth Wilko on its last day of operation. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)Ms Lengden said a personal highlight from her time at the Market gates branch was when owner Tony Wilkinson's son visited the store last year.

"It was a good store and I have many happy memories," she said.

"It's a shame it went the way it did."

Next week Gorleston's Wilko branch is to close after the company fell into administration. The Lowestoft store also closed this week.

Wilko colleagues Sarah Williams and Jennifer Lengden on their last shift at the Great Yarmouth shop. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)What next for the Market Gates unit?

Town centre managers are "exploring options" for a new business to move into the soon-to-be-empty Wilko unit inside Market Gates shopping centre.

MP Sir Brandon Lewis met with Market Gates manager Nick Spencer and town centre manager Jonathan Newman last Friday, following the announcement of the Wilko shop's closure.

Great Yarmouth MP Sir Brandon Lewis. Picture - PA (Image: PA)Following Friday's meeting, Sir Brandon said: "We had a constructive conversation about the practical challenges facing the town centre and our shared hopes that the ongoing Market Place and Palmer’s re-development will help local firms.

"The rise of the internet means the traditional high street is changing and these developments will hopefully help support firms adjust to the changing world. 

"Regarding the specific site in Market Gates, I understand that the management is proactively exploring options for an alternative provider and that the prime location combined with the size, makes it an attractive prospect."

The exterior of Wilko inside Market Gates Shopping Centre during its last day. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)