TODAY marks the end of an era as Wilko’s shuts the doors to its Barrow branch for the last time.

The Duke Street store is among a raft of shops owned by the troubled retailer closing this week as attempts to rescue it have failed.

Family-owned Wilko employed 12,500 staff and ran 400 shops before it hired administrators early last month after it came under pressure from weak consumer spending and debts to suppliers.

We have taken a look back in The Mail’s archives and unearthed pictures from its opening day as shoppers on the streets of Barrow told us what they will miss about the high street chain.

Lots of people visited the store on Wednesday morning to have one last look around the remaining household, DIY and homeware goods.

“It’s a shame, I used to buy quite a lot of stuff from Wilko’s,” said Mrs Robson “It’s in the centre so it’s easier to get to than Hollywood Park but now it’ll be another empty building, a big empty building.”

Jean Whalley said losing the high street branch is ‘terrible’.

“I’ll miss it,” she said. “They sell all kinds of things. Wilko’s does everything and it’s a budget shop. Seeing it close is a shame for the people working there too, everyone in the warehouse and working in delivery are all going to lose their jobs.”

Jean said she does not mind which shop replaces Wilko’s so long as the building is home to a trading place, not more flats or a charity site.

“It’s disappointing, I’ve been coming here for years,” said John Maddison. “I’ve noticed a lot of shops just disappearing so it’s sad to see another one go.”

Sharon Hunt said the store was ‘super handy’.

“Shutting Wilko’s is very sad for Barrow and the people who are losing their jobs,” said Mike.

“It’s a sign of a changing culture – as everyone moves away from shops to buy online. But Wilko’s filled in a gap left by the loss of Woolworths, doing everything from affordable DIY supplies to sweets.”

All its stores have continued to trade in recent weeks as it has worked through remaining stock, with the retailer discounting thousands of products.

Last week PwC confirmed that a number of shops would have to close for good after they were unable to secure a deal that would buy all of the firm's shops.

It later confirmed that 52 shops were earmarked for closure after they were not targeted by potential buyers for parts of the retail business.

Poundland owner Pepco has agreed to buy up to 71 Wilko stores – but none of them are in Cumbria.