THE Didcot branch of failed department store chain Alworths will reopen as a Poundstretcher after most of the firm’s shops were snapped up by the discount retailer.

The store was formerly a Woolworths and was the first to reopen under the Alworths brand in November 2009.

But last July it moved to premises less than half the size in the Orchard Centre, to make way for electrical retailer Currys.

While some of the Alworths shops had continued to trade during the five-week administration period, the Didcot branch closed its doors on April 11, with the loss of 13 jobs.

Administrators hope that many of the staff will be able to return to work at the new Poundstretcher store.

Administrator Neil Bennett, of finance firm Leonard Curtis, said: “We had a lot of interest in the business from the start, resulting in the sale to Poundstretcher.

“We’re delighted that the majority of the 235 jobs across the whole company have been saved and 15 of the stores have joined the Poundstretcher chain.

“This is a particularly good result for us, for the employees of the business, the creditors of the Alworths company, and for the British high street.

“We wish the staff and the customers of all these stores the very best.”

When the Alworths chain opened in 2009 it was run by ex-Woolworths executives, managed by the firm’s former boss, and staffed by many former employees.