A dog who landed a job at Wilko could be facing bleak employment prospects as the high street retailer shuts its doors for good.
Jazz the cockapoo became the chain's first-ever "paw manager" at its Chippenham branch earlier this year after she refused to walk past the shop without dragging her owners inside, WiltshireLive reported at the time.
Craig Cristofoli, Chippenham Wilko store manager, previously told the publication: "All of our team members in-store love when she visits just as much as she does."
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But after Wilko announced the closure of all 400 of its shops, the jobs of its 12,500 employees across the country were put at risk – and this could include Jazz.
After the adorable pooch became a regular at the Wiltshire shop, employees started looking forward to her visits and she was eventually made a "paw-fessional" member of staff in her own right.
Eight-year-old Jazz was even given a custom name tag and red uniform.
It seemed to be a dream job for the pup, who could be spotted patrolling the aisles of her favourite shop after landing the gig.
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Jazz’s owner, Carolyn, said at the time: "The first time we took her in she was very excited – she was actually slipping on the floor as she was trying to run so fast.
"Since then she’s very keen to go in and it’s now got to the point where she won’t pass even if we don’t want anything," she added.
It is unclear what Jazz's career prospects are now, as despite a successful takeover by Poundland and B&M being announced earlier this week, Wilko's shops are set to disappear from the high street as they are rebranded.
Retailer The Range has also reportedly bought the Wilko brand for an eye-watering £5m, meaning the distinctive logo might pop up in range-branded stores.
Meanwhile some 167 Wilko stores are set to close their doors this week, and some have already gone.
Chippenham, where Jazz was a team member, has not had its closure date announced yet but with all Wilko shops set to shut, things aren't looking good for the commerce-loving canine.
The Daily Star has contacted Wilko for more information.
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