‘Del Boy billionaire’ behind the Range saves Wilko’s name (but only 36 jobs)

A tycoon dubbed the ‘Del Boy billionaire’ has saved the Wilko brand – but all 398 stores are still on the brink of closure, resulting in the loss of thousands of jobs.

The Range – founded and run by entrepreneur Chris Dawson – yesterday completed a deal to buy the Wilko name, website and intellectual property for £5 million.

The deal will see The Range sell Wilko products in its stores and online, although only 36 jobs across Wilko’s website team will be saved.

Separate deals already in place with B&M and Poundland mean 122 Wilko stores employing 3,200 staff will reopen under their names, raising hopes that further jobs will be saved.

But because no buyer is found for the entire company, the majority of the 12,500 employees are at risk of losing their jobs.

Jane Steer, Wilko administrator at auditor PwC, said: “Since our appointment, feedback from customers and wider stakeholders during this challenging period has reinforced the fact that Wilko remains a much-loved and trusted brand in Britain.

“This sale to The Range will ensure that the Wilko name lives on under their ownership and we wish The Range every success.”

The Range was founded by Dawson in 1989 on an industrial estate in his native Plymouth and now has 213 stores across the UK selling homeware and garden products.

The 71-year-old entrepreneur, who started selling seafood from a van at markets, has previously said he has tried to emulate Topshop tycoon Philip Green and Only Fools And Horses character Derek ‘Del Boy’ Trotter.

Dawson’s love for the latter is evident in his £250,000 Rolls-Royce Wraith coupe with £35,000 DE11 BOY number plates.

Dawson and his wife Sarah were ranked 85th on The Sunday Times Rich List this year with a fortune of £2 billion, alongside Ovo Energy founder Stephen Fitzpatrick and hedge fund manager Chris Rokos.

He has described The Range as ‘a poor man’s John Lewis’, but that hasn’t stopped it from attracting well-heeled customers.

The Princess of Wales was spotted doing some last-minute Christmas shopping in 2018 at the King’s Lynn branch near the Norfolk home she shared with Prince William.

Speaking to The Daily Mail about his success almost a decade ago, Dawson said: ‘When I realized I had become a billionaire I cried. Good performance, yes, but I felt scared, lonely and hollow. I thought this was the end, the show is over, what do I do for an encore? It’s nice, but I’m not happier as a billionaire.’

He grew up near Plymouth Sound on a council estate in the city, and said his family was so poor when he was a child that he didn’t own a pair of underpants until he was 12.

However, Dawson’s time in the spotlight has not been without controversy. He is said to have saved millions of pounds in tax by reportedly transferring ownership of his main business to his wife, who lives in Jersey.

Dawson met her when he was a dealer selling watches, back when his nickname was “Dickie Dirt” Dawson.

Danni Hewson, head of financial analysis at investment platform AJ Bell, said: ‘The Range boss has never been one to shy away from his roots in commerce and trade and there’s a whiff of flea market superiority in the way the retail sector is putting a surprising amount of stuff on the planks.

‘But as the last few weeks have made clear, it is not enough to simply put things up for sale and expect people to buy them.

‘The Range is relevant to a large number of people and not only because it contains a lot of stuff, but also because it contains the right stuff.

“Chris Dawson makes no apologies for the way he has grown his business. He looks for dying retailers and grabs the stuff he wants cheaply. But without a little courage, a little steel and a lot of luck, it won’t work.’

Dawson welcomed the deal, saying: ‘These are exciting times for The Range, I am delighted that Wilko will be joining our family of companies.’