Morrisons moves for 49 Blockbuster stores

YORKSHIRE supermarket group Morrisons is planning to boost its presence in London and the South East after buying 49 stores from Blockbuster’s administrators.

The Bradford-based retailer will use the purchase to build a new convenience store franchise.

Around 1,000 jobs will be created when the shops open as ‘Morrisons M’ stores.

The stores are among 164 that Blockbuster’s administrators, Deloitte, said would be closed last week.

The latest store closures follow the 168 Blockbuster store closures previously announced.

Gordon Mowat, head of Morrisons convenience, said: “We are rolling out the Morrisons M local estate at pace this year, and these acquisitions give us a kick-start in securing a solid foothold in this key sector.

“The convenience market is growing, as more people shop locally and we want to be in a position to take advantage of this.”

London and the South East are areas Morrisons has been looking to expand into as it aims to keep pace with its rivals.

It has already acquired seven stores from the failed camera retailer Jessops, and is to rebrand the 12 ‘M Local’ stores that it already owns.