Hundreds of Woolworths stores still lying empty

More than 300 former Woolworths stores are still empty more than 18 months after the retailer went under, a report said yesterday.

About 40 per cent of the group's stores have never been re-occupied, down from 60 per cent in July last year, according to The Local Data Company.

The group warned that some experts think up to 20 per cent of the group's premises - around 150 stores - may never be used by retailers again.

Of the stores which have new tenants, most have been taken over by discount shops and supermarkets: nearly one in four of the group's stores now houses a discount retailer, while 15 per cent have become supermarkets.

Other outlets have been turned into department stores, clothes shops and household goods stores, with a few chemists, carpet shops, bookstores and convenience stores.

Just over 2 per cent of the 807 stores are currently on their second tenant.

Frozen food chain Iceland has taken over the highest number of Woolworths' tenancies at just over 60, followed by 99p Stores, B&M Bargains and Poundland.

The group's stores are most likely to have been reoccupied in Greater London (81 per cent), followed by those in Yorkshire and the Humber area (64 per cent).

The north east of England has seen the biggest improvement in occupancy levels during the past year, with the number of former stores being used again rising from 10 per cent to 55 per cent.

Matthew Hopkinson of The Local Data Company, said: "Take-up of ex-Woolworths stores has continued, with a majority now being occupied. There are, however, a significant number that, for whatever reason, have not been reoccupied, some in centres that you would least expect such as Cirencester."

Woolworths went into administration in 2008 after facing increased competition from supermarkets and online retailers. All of its stores were closed by January 2009.