A number of Wilko stores in the North East have been snapped up by competitor Poundland after a deal to save Wilko by HMV collapsed earlier this week. 

The business deal will see the leases of nine Wilko North East stores taken over by the thrifty retailer, administrators PwP has said. 

Nationally, the Pepco Group will rebrand 71 former Wilko branches as Poundland and hire new staff, prioritising those who previously worked staffed the shops. 

Read more: LISTED: Which North East Wilko stores are closing this week

While the deal includes "up to" 71 Wilko shops, a spokesman said the final total would depend on talks with the landlords of each site to agree lease terms.

It comes after a rescue deal involving the owner of HMV collapsed earlier this week, seemingly dashing hopes that all of Wilko's 400 branches could be saved. Closures of the stores have begun today. 

Administrators warned that over nine thousand Wilko employees would be made redundant by early October. 

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Here are the Wilko stores in the North East to be taken over by rival Poundland: 

  • Alnwick
  • Cramlington
  • Gateshead
  • Jarrow
  • Northallerton
  • Peterlee

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  • Seaham 
  • South Shields
  • Thornaby