STAFF at Wilko in Redditch have spoken of their relief after it was announced the store has been saved from closure.

It comes after the store, based in the Kingfisher Shopping Centre, was in January included in a list of 15 Wilko branches planned for closure around the country.

Last week, Wilko announced it had agreed new lease terms with its landlord meaning the store will stay open.

The news was met with relief by Redditch staff who were facing an uncertain future.

Paula Smith, a supervisor at the store who has worked for Wilko for 21 years, said: “I’m relieved and happy, it’s a great weight off my shoulders. We had just started our one-to-one redundancy consultation, it was stressful.

“I’m thankful and looking forward.”

She said staff at the store had been touched by the support of shoppers when the future of the store looked grim.

Paula, aged 48, added: “Customers came in all day just to say how upset they were that it was shutting. There was even talk of a petition. Quite a few came from out of town just to come to Wilko.

“You don’t think your shop is that important to so many people but the amount that showed their support was really nice.”

Jerome Saint-Marc, wilko CEO, said: “Our history is steeped in serving our customers and communities and we’re pleased that our negotiations mean we’re able to continue doing so in Redditch.

“As a business, we’re working hard to ensure our stores and their associated leases best represent the changing ways in which people shop with us, helping to support our future and that of 16,000 team members nationwide.”

Ken Williams, General Manager at Kingfisher, said: “We are aware of Wilko’s announcement and are pleased they are committed to keeping their store open for our community.”