Wilko: rescue deal to save many stores at risk over supplier debts

Big suppliers want debts paid upfront in order to guarantee supplying shops

• Meet Hilco, the firm behind the scenes at Wilko failure and other high street collapses

A rescue deal to save the majority of Wilko's stores has been put at risk as some key suppliers want outstanding debts repaid upfront to guarantee continuing to provide products to the chain.

Doug Putman, who engineered a turnaround of HMV in the UK and owns Toys R Us in Canada, has been negotiating a deal to save as many as 300 of Wilko's 400 stores, throwing a lifeline to its more than 12,000 staff.