An independent camera shop on Alderley Road appears to have closed down.
We were informed on Thursday, 30th June, that stock was being cleared from the Wildings store so I went along to ask a member of staff if they were closing down.
He told me "No we've just had some stock returned to head office, we don't know anymore" but the shutters have remained down at the camera store since Thursday.
Wildings was established in 1948 and began life as a commercial studio producing high quality portrait and studio photographs. In the 1960's the company started selling photographic equipment and by the 1990's it had become one of the leading independent retailers in the industry.
Whilst no notice has been placed on the shop, the website has been taken down and phone calls to both the Wilmslow store and head office remain unanswered.
The company have not yet issued a statement explaining the closures but an employee of Wildings posted on an online forum on Saturday saying ""As of yesterday Wildings are no longer trading."
The Wilmslow shop was one of seven high street stores located in the North West, all of which we understand are currently shut according to the Amateur Photographer website.
Comments
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For those who had paid for processing and printing or posters to be done the company we sent to is Cewe, look them up on the internet they may be able to help you as long as you have your receipts with the order number on.
I would also like to say that myself as Manager of the store or the staff who worked with me, none of us had a clue what was happening and we still don't know the truth. I would like to thank all the customers who knew us for the custom.
Last but not least i'm now out of work so does anyone want a very experenced retail manager.
If so leave me a message on here.
My husband brought a camera lens in to yourselves a couple of weeks ago for this to be sent off for repair, what do we do now??? who can we contact, how can we get the lense back?
Thanks
If the lens was under warranty we would have sent to the manufacture which you will find contact details of on the internet.
If it was sent away for an estimate then you can try to contact P.J Camera repairs with your repair no: on the ticket we would have given you, telephone 01782 711990.
I hope very much that this works out for you.
The Head office telephone number is 01257422955, please make sure you have your order number as this will help them to locate the order. I hope this resolves your problem.
Best Wishes Paul McNulty.
Just to let you know if the work has not been done and you get your photos back i am able to offer the same service, let me know on here.
I have paid many a visit to the shop over the years for both business and pleasure purposes and am sorry to see it go. All the staff were very helpful and I they all find other employment soon, especially Paul the manager who has become a good friend over the years.
Let's hope the council see sense and an agreement can be reached so it can open again.
Thank you very much for comments and wishes, I am fine, came as a shock but life goes on. Please reply as to if you are on facebook cause if so will find you and hopefully stay in touch plus still be able to give you advise.
Many Thanks
Paul McNulty.