A SOMBRE atmosphere fills the Wilko store in Basingstoke as empty shelves act as a constant reminder of the store's permanent closure looms. 

The shop in The Malls will close its doors for the last time on Thursday, October 5, as part of the company's wider shutdown.

The news comes after the hardware and furnishings retailer tumbled into administration last month because it came under pressure from weak consumer spending and debts to suppliers.

It will come as good news to many that the Wilko brand will not disappear entirely from the UK high street after The Range agreed to buy Wilko’s brand, website and intellectual property, with plans to sell the acquired brand in its stores.

READ MORE: Wilko Basingstoke: Shoppers react as chain falls into administration

I visited the shop this week and found that almost half the shelves are now empty leaving a very eerie atmosphere. All products have been reduced with some prices slashed by as much as 70 per cent, with 'store closing' signs plastered everywhere.

Basingstoke Gazette: Inside the Wilko store in Basingstoke Inside the Wilko store in Basingstoke (Image: Newsquest)

Despite this, I was surprised to see that not that many shoppers were snooping the aisles and I could almost feel the sadness coming from staff who filled the shelves with the last remaining products.

The Gazette has spoken to many residents over the last few weeks as news has spread and they are all saddened by the announcement. 

Basingstoke Gazette: Inside the Wilko store in Basingstoke Inside the Wilko store in Basingstoke (Image: Newsquest)

Tony Richards, who was out shopping with his wife Janice when he spoke to the Gazette, said: “It’s a great shame I am just going there now. I think the big problem is they are in the town centre and people go to places like Home Bargains where you often get free parking so I think they have fallen a bit behind the times in terms of their location. It’s very sad to see more shops closing down but it’s almost inevitable with the times and the high rents."

SEE ALSO: Wilko shutdown: Basingstoke store's closing date confirmed

Basingstoke Gazette: Tony Richards with his wife Janice outside Wilko in Basingstoke Tony Richards with his wife Janice outside Wilko in Basingstoke (Image: Newsquest)

Carrie Bennett, who lives in Basingstoke and shops in Wilko regularly, said: “I’m really disappointed to hear it could close because when Woolworths closed down I started coming here and I have now really relied on it.

"It’s definitely really sad to hear more shops are closing down in Basingstoke and every time I come into town we always go to Wilko. You can get everything you need, whether it’s bin bags, a washing up brush or new bed linen it has it all.”

Basingstoke Gazette: Inside the Basingstoke shop Inside the Basingstoke shop (Image: Newsquest)

I think what residents will miss the most is a shop where you can buy anything and everything from home decor, cleaning products, toiletries, furnishings and lots more.

I think we all hoping here in Basingstoke that something similar will open in its place, but only time will tell.