A Poundland store that opened only six months ago in a former Wilko branch is set to close, after owner Pepco were unable to "secure a long-term lease". 

Poundland's Jarrow branch, in Newcastle, will close later this month. 

Poundland took over the lease for the South Tyneside store in a deal with administrators for Wilko last year, opening it only 11 days after Wilko shut. 

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

Nationally, the Pepco Group rebranded 71 former Wilko branches as Poundland and hired new staff, prioritising those who previously worked staffed the shops. A number of these branches have still shut. 

A spokesperson for Poundland said: "It’s correct that we’re sadly closing our Jarrow store later this month (April 20) - I’m afraid we’ve been unable to secure a long-term lease that would enable us to keep trading. 

"We know that will be disappointing to customers and colleagues alike – we will, of course, do all we can, to look for other opportunities for colleagues at the store."

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Here are the other former Wilko stores taken over by Poundland last autumn:

  • Alnwick
  • Cramlington
  • Gateshead
  • Northallerton
  • Peterlee
  • Seaham 
  • South Shields
  • Thornaby