Homeware chain Wilko has announced that it has officially entered administration, putting stores across Hertfordshire at risk.

The announcement was made this morning (Thursday, August 10) by the company which has stores in Stevenage, St Albans, Watford, Hemel Hempstead, Hitchin and Letchworth.

Last Thursday (August 3), Wilko announced that it had filed a notice of intent to appoint administrators, putting 12,000 jobs at risk.

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When approached for comment, the company later confirmed that had "no immediate plans" to close its Hertfordshire stores.

Today, Wilko CEO Mark Jackson said: "Over the past six months, Wilko has been very open that we’ve been considering options to accelerate a turnaround plan given that we needed to make significant changes to the way we operate to restore confidence and stabilise our business. 

"We left no stone unturned when it came to preserving this incredible business but must concede that with regret, we’ve no choice but to take the difficult decision to enter into administration.

                                                                                            

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"We’ve a history steeped in serving customers and communities going back to 1930.

"Our founder JK Wilkinson started with a single hardware shop in Leicester and for over 90 years busy, hard-working families have come to us to get their household and garden jobs done quickly, simply and at the best value prices possible.  

"We thrived and successfully grew from one to 400 stores. We did this by listening to our customers – working out what they needed and then making sure we gave it to them...

"...I’d like to take this opportunity on behalf of the directors and the Wilkinson family to thank all of our customers, suppliers, partners and our hardworking team members across our stores, logistics and support centre who remained loyal to Wilko.

"We’ve all fought hard to keep this incredible business intact but must concede that time has run out and now, we must do what’s best to preserve as many jobs as possible, for as long as is possible, by working with our appointed administrators. 

"It’s been an honour to have worked alongside you all as we fought to realise and to maximise the significant opportunities that existed to re-establish a profitable Wilko."