Redundancies amongst Wilko's 12,500-strong workforce have been suspended whereas additional bids for the collapsed retailer are thought-about, a union has stated.

The GMB stated it had been assured by directors PwC concerning the transfer throughout a gathering on Tuesday morning.

The low cost homeware items firm collapsed earlier this month after struggling from inflationary pressures, competitors from rivals and provide chain challenges.

But the chain's 400 branches have remained open since then within the hope a purchaser could be discovered - with a deadline set for final Friday.

It comes after the union warned it expected the majority of Wilko branches to close within weeks after it was advised there was no prospect that almost all of the enterprise can be saved.

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However the GMB stated on Tuesday that PwC had obtained "multiple bids" for Wilko and that any potential job losses have been placed on maintain whereas they're thought-about.

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Andy Prendergast, the union's nationwide secretary, added: "Whilst this is a positive development, Wilko is not out of the woods by any means and this is a time of incredible stress and worry for the 12,500 workers who face losing their jobs."

Various last-minute bids to buy parts of the business have been proposed, together with from HMV proprietor Doug Putman, B&M European Retail and Poundland's owner Pepco Group.

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PwC has been approached for remark.