‘Pushed in to B&M for a few things and left 51 Wilko stores, that happens to the best of us’: B&M sparks backlash over social media joke over £13m takeover of supermarket chain as 12,000 jobs remain are at risk

B&M has sparked a backlash after the company appeared to have made a dumb “joke” about taking over a number of Wilko stores – after 1,332 employees were laid off yesterday and around 12,000 other jobs are still at risk.

Troubled retailer Wilko fell into bankruptcy last month, and bankruptcy experts at PwC have spent the past few weeks negotiating a bailout deal for the historic retailer.

Administration has held talks with a number of interested parties, including HMV owner Doug Putman, to save Wilko’s 400 stores and 12,500 jobs. But yesterday B&M European Value Retail announced it would buy up to 51 Wilko locations from administrators in a deal worth up to £13million after getting on board at the 11th hour.

However, more than 1,300 other employees will lose their jobs at the ailing retail chain Wilko. PwC said 52 Wilko stores were not part of a B&M European Value Retail bailout and would be closed, leaving 1,016 employees unemployed. Another 299 jobs will be lost in two distribution centers.

And in a seemingly toneless post on Facebook, which has since been deleted, B&M’s official account said, ‘I stopped by B&M for a few things and left with 51 Wilko stores.’ Happens to the best of us.’

In a now-deleted Facebook post on B&M’s official account, “I stopped by B&M for a few things and left with 51 Wilko stores.” Happens to the best of us.’

Troubled retailer Wilko fell into bankruptcy last month, and bankruptcy experts at PwC have spent the past few weeks negotiating a bailout deal for the historic retailer

The post sparked a backlash on social media, with one user fuming: “My god B&M people have lost their jobs and are on the brink of unemployment and this?”.

Another said: “Well B&M aren’t you such a great bunch? “I’m glad I don’t work for you,” while a third added, “Absolutely disgraceful post!”

MailOnline has reached out to B&M Bargains for comment.

Wilko’s administrators have announced the locations of 52 stores that will close after failing to secure a bailout deal for the entire company.

PwC, which was hired to oversee the bankruptcy last month, said it is continuing discussions with parties interested in buying the rest of the business. The administration added on Wednesday that “it is possible that further store closures may regrettably be necessary” pending discussions with the remaining prospects.

HMV owner Doug Putman is understood to be still negotiating with PwC over a potential deal to save a significant number of stores.

B&M could potentially save some people from losing their jobs, but more than 12,000 people are still facing layoffs

The series of closures over the next week will result in 1,016 layoffs, while the company has also announced hundreds more job losses among warehouse and service center workers.

Edward Williams, co-manager, said: “Unfortunately, in the absence of viable deals across the business, store closures and layoffs of team members from these stores are now required.”

“The loss of these businesses will be felt not only by the team members who have shown so much dedication to serving them despite the uncertainty of the past few weeks, but also by the communities to which they have belonged.”

Andy Prendergast, GMB National Secretary, said: “Every single dismissal is a person waking up to an uncertain future.” This needs to be on everyone’s lips.

“The reality is that years of mismanagement has brought us here.

“We’re still doing everything we can to reach a deal that protects the majority of jobs and businesses.” But for those who don’t know how to pay their bills, that will be of little consolation.”