Wilko bosses are to be questioned in front of a parliamentary committee after the firm collapsed, costing thousands of jobs.

Company chiefs will, on November 28, be grilled by MPs on the business and trade select committee to answer questions that the GMB union said workers deserve after the company ‘crushed their livelihoods’.

When the news broke that Wilko collapsed, shoppers were devastated that the popular Carlisle branch, adjacent to the market, would no longer serve the population.

There were further worries that the market itself would be affected because Wilko was a major contributor to its income via rent.

On Tuesday, October 3, the shop's 29 employees gathered for the last time, reflecting on fond memories. 

Manager Maria Hay, who has worked at the store for 14 years, said at the time: “We were open 24 years and have some team members who worked there the whole time.

"After 24 years it feels like a family and it gets quite emotional.

"There are a few older ones who will retire, but everyone else is looking for work.

“Some of the students will go on to their careers and some of the others are thinking of doing different things rather than working in retail - they'll go and chase their dreams.

"The job market is not great and at this time of year, a lot of things are temporary.” 

Earlier this month GMB – who will give evidence to the committee - wrote to newly elected select committee chair Liam Byrne MP asking him to hold Wilko to account.

Discount high street retailer Wilko went bust earlier this year, leaving more than 10,000 workers without a job.  

Bosses shelled out £77million in dividends to themselves and shareholders during the past decade – and the Wilkinson family have not yet spoken to questions about the business’ collapse. 

Nadine Houghton, GMB National Officer who will give evidence to the committee, said: “It’s only right Wilko bosses should be forced to explain themselves to MPs. 

“They ignored all warnings about their company’s financial future - lining their own pockets and dishing out millions to shareholders before leaving 10,000 people jobless. 

“Wilko workers deserve answers from the company that crushed their livelihoods, while UK taxpayers will want to know why they’ve had today millions in redundancy payments. 

"Hopefully the select committee will get those answers.”