A North East branch of Wilko has hit the rental market after closing its doors earlier this year as part of a UK-wide closure of all stores owned by the retailer.

Wilko entered administration in August leaving all 400 stores and 12,500 employees at risk. 

Among those that closed was Sunderland's store on Fawcett Road, which occupied a sizeable chunk of the row of shops on the street. 

The Northern Echo: Inside Wilko SunderlandInside Wilko Sunderland (Image: BARKER PROUDLOVE)

Now, a couple of months after it was announced that Sunderland Wilko would close, it's hit the rental market. 

The huge six-storey building spans 33-42 Fawcett Street and boasts a prominent position near to the City Library, Laser Quest, J D Wetherspoon, Yates's, The Post Office, Newcastle Building Society and Santander.

The store is also near Waterloo Place, situated close to Market Square, The Bridges Shopping Centre and the City Centre's Rail and Metro Station.

According to the company who are arranging the rental of it, Barker Proudlove, the premises currently has a rateable value of £230,000.

The rental price of the building isn't currently known, due to being listed as a 'price on application' listing - but the Sunderland shop isn't the only Wilko branch to be sold or rented out. 

The Northern Echo: Wilko Sunderland on Fawcett StreetWilko Sunderland on Fawcett Street (Image: BARKER PROUDLOVE)

The former retail shop on Delavale Terrace, Bowes Street in Blyth is up for rent at a price of £14, 583 per calendar month (£175,000 per year). 

Meanwhile, some form of Wilko might be returning to the high street after it was confirmed that Wilko products are set to return as The Range brings the brand into its stores across the UK.

The Wilko brand, website and intellectual property was bought by rival The Range for £5 million as part of the process.

The Range said it will bring back the brand with Wilko bays selling branded home, garden, pet and lifestyle products across its 210 stores.

It will also stock the products online after purchasing the wilko.com website.

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Alex Simpkin, chief executive of The Range, said: “Wilko is a much-loved and trusted UK brand and it was important to us to allow it to live on.

“We noticed Wilko customers were really disappointed to see stores closed, especially when it seemed they would no longer be able to buy their favourite products.

“We have worked hard and at pace to ensure they still have access to their favourite lines by bringing them into our own stores and online at wilko.com within a matter of weeks.”