A POPULAR branch of Tesco in the North East will close for good this weekend - as the store is expected to be cleared of stock.

Tesco Express in the Bridges Shopping Centre in Sunderland will permanently close its doors to shoppers on Saturday, April 2.

The store, which is near Primark and had proved popular with residents, students and visitors, had been rumoured to be closing since the start of the year.

Read more: All the jobs up for grabs at Teesside's first Amazon warehouse - how to apply

But signs recently appeared outside informing shoppers of its final date with shoppers redirected to Tesco Extra over Wearmouth Bridge on Newcastle Road.

The Northern Echo: The sign redirecting customers Picture: CONTRIBUTORThe sign redirecting customers Picture: CONTRIBUTOR

Earlier this week, shoppers said they could see shelves starting to be cleared of stock with the top of the alcohol section and entire DVD section left bare.

In a statement to The Northern Echo last month, the supermarket giant said it was "supporting" the team of workers affected.

Read more: 'A difficult decision': Tesco confirm popular store will close its doors for good

A Tesco spokesperson said: “We have taken the difficult decision to close our Sunderland Express store on The Bridges.

"Our priority now is to support our colleagues that are affected, and wherever possible we will offer them alternative jobs within Tesco.”

The Northern Echo: Some of the shelves being cleared Picture: CONTRIBUTORSome of the shelves being cleared Picture: CONTRIBUTOR

“We serve a fantastic community in Sunderland and remain committed to the town. We are looking for potential sites for a new Express store in the area.”

The closure comes as Poundland last week confirmed the permanent closure of its discount store in Chester-le-Street.

At the time, the retailer said the closure had coincided with the expiration of its lease on the Front Street.

--

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054