Andover Wilko staff say emotional goodbye to community

Emotions ran high as the team bid farewell to a place they had come to consider their "home" and a store that had once held the distinction of being the "busiest Wilko store in the south".

At 5.25pm, store manager Andrew Dawson took to the public address system to make the poignant announcement: "For the final time ever, I request you to please finish your shopping as the store is closing now. We will bring the shutters down at 5.30pm, and that will be it. Thank you."

Following this final announcement, the store's staff gathered outside, looking back at the place that had been central to their lives.

READ MORE: Andover Wilko store's closing date confirmed as part of wider shutdown

As Mr Dawson pressed the button to close the shutters, a wave of nostalgia and bittersweet feelings washed over them.

By the time of closure, the store's shelves had been nearly emptied, with only a handful of items left unsold.

Mr Dawson revealed that 90 per cent of the items had been sold, and the remaining products would find a new home at the Basingstoke Wilko store, which is also expected to close in the near future.

Speaking about his own connection to the store, Mr Dawson said: "I have worked for Wilko for 20 years, and at this store for six years. It is a big loss for the town and also for us. We all have been very emotional over the last few days, especially because it all happened quickly."

In the days leading up to the closure, many loyal customers paid visits to the store, offering well wishes, chocolates, and cards to the staff.

Their heartfelt gestures and expressions of missing the store touched the employees deeply.

Members of staff of Andover Wilko that closed on Thursday, September 21. (Image: Contributed)

Mr Dawson said: "There were tears on the tills. We felt the love from the town, especially from total strangers who came to us and talked to us. They offered their support and asked us if we had got other jobs, which was really thoughtful. We are all taken aback by the love we received over the past few days. I want to say thank you to all our loyal customers who showed their love to us."

SEE ALSO: The Avenue A343 in Andover to be closed for five days

Amid the mixed emotions, a few of the staff have already secured new jobs, while others are in the process of interviews. However, a few, including Mr Dawson, are still in search of their next professional step.

The Andover Wilko store, at its peak, had approximately 25 staff members, but by the time of closure, the team had dwindled to 19.

Mr Dawson said it was difficult to see the store close after how it survived the Covid lockdown period.

He added: “We used to be the busiest Wilko store in the entire south, so it’s really tough to see this.”

Despite the heavy hearts, Mr Dawson managed to share some lighthearted moments with his team as they bid their final farewell to the store and closed its shutters forever.