Wilko owners took £3m in dividends despite £37m losses

Retailer understood to be seeking 30m emergency funding amid falling sales

The owners of Wilko took 3m in dividends this past year despite the cut price chain falling almost 37m into the red before seeking emergency funding.

The homewares-to-cosmetics retailer, whose managing director Alison Hands is to exit in January, about 18 months after taking the job, is understood to be looking to secure a 30m debt facility with alternative lenders.