Emotions were high as the customers and staff at Wilko Reading said an emotional goodbye after 12 years of service.

Located on Broad Street Mall, the popular discount hardware store was forced into administration last month after it came under pressure from weak consumer spending.

The Reading store is one of the last Wilko’s in the UK after weeks of worry and anticipation surrounding the closure.

The Chronicle saw the moment that the shutters went down on the store for the last time.

Many emotional staff members said that they had made a family throughout their time at the popular Reading store.

One Reading woman who did not wish to be named said: “This has been my home and my family for the last few years.

“I was hoping that this would be my final job before entering retirement but now I have to go out again. That’s a worry for everyone.

“The people you see on the floor of the Wilko store are what make up the business. Not the management who have no idea about what goes on a day-to-day basis.”

Another said: “It’s such a sad day. It means saying goodbye to some of our most loyal customers and friends who we have come to know as family.”

Wilko Reading is the last Wilko to close its doors in Berkshire and one of the final stores across the UK.

Broad Street Mall manager has commented that he is ‘sad to see it go’.