The date for the closure of the Gorleston Wilko branch has been announced.

Administrators have been working to save the High Street giant since the middle of August, with a last ditch attempt to save the chain by the owner of HMV resulting in failure. 

Staff at branches across the country have been told their shops will now close for good. 

Great Yarmouth Mercury: All Wilko stores will close by early OctoberAll Wilko stores will close by early October (Image: Newsquest)

It was previously announced the Great Yarmouth branch inside the Market Gates Shopping Centre would close on Thursday, September 14. 

The Gorleston High Street store will now close on Thursday, September 21, with the final day for employees Friday, September 22.

Kevin Huggins, the chairman of the Gorleston Traders' Association, said: "It's an absolute tragedy.

"I am very sorry for the staff losing their jobs. It's something nobody wants to see.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Kevin Huggins, chair of the Gorleston Traders' AssociationKevin Huggins, chair of the Gorleston Traders' Association (Image: Danielle Booden)

"There were a lot of people who used Wilko and it's going to affect footfall down the High Street.

"For customers, there is still QD here, but that's if there's enough on offer elsewhere down the whole street to attract them here."

Zelf Hussain, joint administrator at PricewaterhouseCoopers, said: “Despite the significant and intensive efforts of both ourselves and Putman Investments - the remaining party interested in buying a significant part of the business as a going concern - a transaction could not be progressed due to the inability to reduce central infrastructure costs quickly enough to make a deal commercially viable.

“The dedication shown by all team members during this period has been hugely humbling and we are grateful for the patience and understanding they have shown.

“We continue to work with potential buyers for different parts of the business and are confident of completing transactions in the coming days.”