Bargain hunters swoopon Wilkies

Queues formed outside Stirling’s Wilkies store this week in the run-up to its closure.

The King Street store, which had been trading for 15 years, will shut its doors for the final time on October 17.

Wilkies said the premises over two floors had been larger than required and had been operating at a loss.

Nine members of staff are expected to lose their jobs as a result of the closure.

Customers queued outside the store for its invitation-holder sale preview event this week.

The closing down sale opens to the public tomorrow (Saturday).

Wilkies owner Karen Forret thanked staff for their hard work and said: “We will look to offer roles where we have them in other stores.”

Ms Forret added: “We can’t continue to run a store that is making a loss and we must use all our efforts to ensure we can keep the rest of the business thriving.”

More than £500,000 worth of fashion, footwear, kitchenware and linens is reduced to clear.

Not-for-profit organisation Creative Stirling, who recently moved out of premises in Murray Place, are to move into the shop.

Director Joe Hall said: “We are extremely excited to be moving into 44 King Street.

“The premises are set to become a dynamic venue, providing fresh opportunities for the strong maker community.”