Will closes in Maylord Shopping Centre, Hereford, today

The fallen retailer has been in the city for the past 10 years, but is closing all of its shops after administrators PwC failed to secure a deal from any suitor to buy the business. 

There have been empty shelves at the shop for weeks after a sale to clear stock started last month. 

Empty shelves at Wilko as the Hereford shop prepares to close (Image: Rob Davies)

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The premises takes up a large portion of the shopping centre, which has been mooted as a potential site for the city’s library.

Speaking to the Hereford Times after news spread about Wilko’s collapse, Samantha Roost said she was saddened.

“I have a chihuahua and Wilko is really good for dog wipes,” she said. “I always go to Wilko because they’re really reasonable prices for pet stuff. 

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Neil Robinson, of Credenhill, also regularly shops at Wilko. 

“You would have thought that Wilko was secure, so it’s hugely disappointing for the people who work there.”

The closure means that Wilko joins long list of high street shops that will have closed at Maylords.

Wilko is closing today (September 21) after being in Hereford's Maylord Orchards for 10 years (Image: Rob Davies)

It used to be a hive of activity, hosting names such as C&A, Topshop and Mothercare. But one by one they have all gone. 

Other shops that used to be there include Index, Adams, Tie Rack, Lamberts and Dolcis. There also used to be cafes such as  Intermissions and Delight, Coffee and Muffins (previously BB’s Coffee and Muffins).

Many shops have closed in Hereford's Maylord Orchards shopping centre over the years (Image: Rob Davies)

The latter was replaced by the Life & Soul Kitchen, before that too closed. It is soon to be replaced by Pre, a cafe/bar that will be run by the Wobbly Taphouse team.

The only other firms remaining inside the shopping centre are Active Fitness and Poundland, whose main entrance is in Maylord Street. 

Just outside is Job Centre Plus, next to where Sports Direct used to be, with Hereford Barbers further along. But there are still empty units nearby.