Wilko is to shut the doors of its last remaining stores on Sunday, October 8 as the collapse of the historic retailer comes to a close - including here in the North East.

The hardware and furnishings retailer tumbled into administration last month after it came under pressure from weak consumer spending and debts to suppliers.

The retailer will shut its final 111 stores in early October as part of the final phase of closures, administrators for PwC said.

Earlier this month, administrators confirmed rival discount chain The Range has snapped up Wilko’s brand, website and intellectual property.

There are 22 Wilko stores in the North East that have either closed, will close or will be now owned by Poundland:

  • Wilko - Darlington, East Street (this store will close on Sunday, September 24)
  • Wilko - Thornaby, Vale House Pavillion Shopping Centre (This store will become a Poundland)
  • Wilko - Northallerton, 166 High Street (This store will become a Poundland)
  • Wilko - Middlesbrough, 17 Captain Cook Square (this store will close on Sunday, October 8)
  • Wilko - Redcar, 81 High Street (This store closed on Tuesday, September 19)
  • Wilko - Newton Aycliffe, Aycliffe Shopping Centre (This store closed on Thursday, September 21)
  • Wilko - Bishop Auckland, Newgate Shopping Square This store closed on Tuesday, September 12)
  • Wilko - Hartlepool, Middleton Grange (This store will close on Tuesday, September 26)
  • Wilko - Peterlee, Castle Dene Shopping Centre (This store will become a Poundland)
  • Wilko - Durham, Arnison Shopping Centre (This store will close on Tuesday, September 26)
  • Wilko - Chester-le-Street, Osborne Road (This store will close on Tuesday, September 26)
  • Wilko - Washington, Washington Galleries (this store will close on Tuesday, October 3)
  • Wilko - Sunderland, Fawcett Street (this store will close on Sunday, October 8)
  • Wilko - Newcastle Upon Tyne, Nun Street (this store will close on Sunday, October 8)
  • Wilko - Ashington (this store closed on Sunday, September 17)
  • Wilko - Byker (this store closed on Tuesday, September 19)
  • Wilko - Jarrow (This store will become a Poundland)
  • Wilko - Seaham (This store will become a Poundland)
  • Wilko - Gateshead (this store closed on Thursday, September 21)
  • Wilko - Cramlington (This store will become a Poundland)
  • Wilko - South Shields (This store will become a Poundland)
  • Wilko - Alnwick (This store will become a Poundland)
  • Wilko - Silverlink, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear  (this store will close on Sunday, October 8)

Meanwhile, 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.