Believe it or not we are almost at the end of another year but as many head to the shops across the North East for the remaining bits of Christmas shopping, the region has seen some big high-street chains and brands close for good in 2023.

We all know that online shopping dominates the retail industry now but sometimes you can’t beat a wander around the likes of Boots or Poundland to see what bargains are available without the wait of an Evri or Royal Mail delivery.

With that in mind, here’s a roundup of shops that have shut throughout 2023 in the North East.

Some of the biggest high-street businesses to shut in the North East over 2023

  • Wilko – the much-loved stores have shut all over the region, specifically in Middlesbrough, Sunderland, Silverlink and Newcastle upon Tyne
  • Boots (pharmacy only) – Darlington
  • M&S – Middlesbrough
  • New Look – Teesside Park
  • Asda (pharmacy)– Seaham
  • M&Co – Chester-le-Street
  • Paperchase – Durham
  • B&M – Stockton
  • B&Q – Hartlepool
  • Poundland – Gateshead
  • Iceland – Hexham

One of the biggest names to make headlines this year for the retail industry was Wilko which fell into administration in August, after more than 90 years since it began as a lone hardware shop in Leicester.

Poundland agreed to buy up to 71 Wilko shops in September, just weeks after the devastating news.

The company has since hired 962 former Wilko employees as it continues to reopen stores snapped up by the collapsed high street rival.

Poundland said it has now converted 64 former Wilko shops and expects to open the remaining shops in the acquired units next year.

Simon Wells, people director at Poundland, said: “I really want to thank the Poundland team for their extraordinary efforts in making so many roles available, so quickly, to those affected by the administration of Wilko.

“We know by keeping our promise to reopen former Wilko stores in such numbers, and at such pace, we’ve made a big difference to hundreds of people.

“We’re incredibly proud that so many former Wilko team members have now chosen to continue their careers here at Poundland.”