Morrisons to buy 49 Blockbuster stores (From Andover Advertiser)

Morrisons to buy 49 Blockbuster stores

2:49pm Sunday 17th February 2013 in Basingstoke By Emily Roberts, Chief Reporter

MORRISONS has announced today that it will purchase 49 Blockbuster stores from the company’s administrators, Deloitte.

The supermarket chain, which has a branch in Basingstoke, plans to have the new brand of Morrisons M local stores trading by the end of the summer.

It has not yet confirmed the location of the 49 Blockbuster stores, and whether these include the two in Basingstoke, but said the purchase will give “quick access” to locations across the country, particularly in the South East.

The retailer has already revealed its intention to open at least 70 Morrisons M local stores by the end of the year, starting in London and the South East.

Blockbuster went into administration on January 16, putting 4,200 jobs at risk, including those at the Basingstoke stores in Chineham Shopping Centre and Hatch Warren.