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Retailers have eye on empty Leeds Woolworths
HOPE is on the horizon for the high street after news that retailers would be moving into some empty Woolworths stores.
The company which had branches in Leeds's Merrion Centre, Wakefield, Batley and Pudsey closed its doors for the last time earlier this week with the loss of 27,000 jobs.
However, around 40 jobs look set to be created at the Merrion Centre with Home Bargains set to move into the empty Woolworths store.
The discount retail outlet has 160 branches across the UK and sells health and beauty products, household goods and confectionery.
Operations director Joe Morris said: "There will be around 40 jobs for staff and we have sent information and applications to the Woolworths staff. We are planning to move into the store and looking to open in March."
It is rumoured that B&M will be moving into the empty Pudsey store. They already have a store in Leeds on Torre Lane, off the A64, and there are around 88 branches across the country. They sell household goods, home furnishings and food.
And tenants are being sought for the empty Woolworths stores in Crossgates and Batley.
Stephen Seymour, centre manager at the Crossgates Shopping Centre said: "We are disappointed that Woolworths has closed as a business not only in the centre but across the country. It is a 99-year-old business that won't be easily replaced.
"In the current climate retailers are not committing to new business at the moment.
"We are actively seeking new tenants and we won't be rushing into a deal that is wrong for the Crossgates Centre."
Batley Town Centre Manager Andrew Sloman added: "I have been making enquiries for the site at Batley but I have received no response from Deloitte yet. It is a prime site and would probably be attractive to certain retail outlets and chains."
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Weather for Leeds
Friday 25 May 2012
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