Will the Wilko shop close in St Stephens Street, Norwich?

The Wilko store in St Stephens Street is one of roughly 400 shops around the UK facing the threat of closure.

More than 12,000 jobs have been put at risk after the national retailer, which also has shops in Thetford, Dereham, Great Yarmouth and King's Lynn, collapsed into administration on Thursday.

The large shop is located along St Stephens Street, in the city centre (Image: Newsquest)

With staff on tenterhooks about whether they will still have a job, city shoppers say they'll be "heartbroken" if the business closes.

Doreen Cockrin, 75, lives just around the corner from the shop, in St Stephens Square, and said: "I'd be heartbroken if this shop closed.

"This is my nearest shop where I can get everything I need.

Doreen Cockrin, 75, lives just around the corner from Wilko and would be heart-broken if it closed (Image: Newsquest)

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"I have arthritis so it's really helpful to have Wilko so close - I love this shop.

"The staff are always lovely and helpful - it can't close."

Staff have kept tight-lipped about the future, but one anonymous employee said: "It would be a huge loss because this is a busy store.

"Fingers crossed someone can come in and save us."

With more than 400 shops in the UK, there are around 12,000 jobs at risk with the recent news (Image: News Quest)

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Administrators PWC has said stores will continue to trade and staff will be paid as normal as they "engage with parties who may be interested in acquiring all or part" of the business.

Charlotte Farrant, who shops regularly in Wilko, added: "It would be a disaster for a lot of people if the shop closes.

"This is one of my favourite shops - I can get lots of different bits and pieces for an affordable price.

"It's a service people rely on and if it closes it will impact so many."

James Sutton, 31, said the possibility of Wilko closing would cast a dark cloud over the city (Image: Newsquest)

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James Sutton, 31, said a possible closure would cast "a dark cloud" over the city.

"There are so many spaces now in the city centre which are empty," he said.

"It's a really helpful shop to have in a prime location - hopefully someone can come in and help them out."

Similar names

Amid the trouble for Wilko, previously known as Wilkinsons, a local company with a similar name has moved to ensure their customers are not alarmed.

Wilco Motor Spares has four Norwich branches, in Dereham Road, Miles Cross, Hellesdon and Salhouse Road, as well as in North Walsham, Great Yarmouth, Watton and King's Lynn.

The firm posted a message on Facebook saying: "After a few connected calls from customers, we would just like to assure you that Wilco Motor Spares is not associated with the homeware chain."

Wilkinson began rebranding as Wilko in 2012 to bring stores in line with its own brand products of that name.