Wilko's West Ealing branch is one of 71 stores set to be saved by the owner of Poundland.

The discount retailer announced yesterday that all 400 of its stores would close by early October as a rescue deal could not be found.

But today (September 12) Pepco Group, which owns Poundland in the UK, said it would take over the leases at 71 stores.

These stores will be rebranded as Poundland, with existing Wilko staff given priority for jobs at the new locations once the deals are finalised.

The rebranding is expected to be completed in the final quarter of this year.   

Andy Bond, executive chairman of Pepco Group said: "The agreement to assign a number of Wilko store leases to Pepco Group will help to bring Poundland's value and wide offer to even more customers in the UK.  

"It will be pleasing to offer employment to a number of Wilko's colleagues - who will benefit from being part of a successful and fast-growing pan-European variety discount group."   

Last week, B&M also announced its plans to purchase up to 51 Wilko stores, which will be rebranded as B&M.

However, firm details of which stores will be taken over are yet to be confirmed.

Wilko's Acton branch will close Tuesday 12 September and won't be bought by Poundland boss (credit: Cesar Medina).

In total, approximately 3,200 employees are affected by the acquisitions made by both B&M and Poundland. 

Administrators at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) said they are actively engaging with retailers regarding future purchases of other Wilko sites.  

Although hopes were initially high for a rescue deal led by HMV owner Doug Putman to save a majority of Wilko stores, this deal fell through due to escalating costs. 

Edward Williams, the joint administrator at PwC, said: "Alongside the previously announced agreement with B&M, we're confident this sale will create a platform for future employment opportunities for people including current Wilko team members at up to 122 locations."  

Closures have already begun, with 24 Wilko stores permanently shutting down today, followed by another 28 on Thursday (September 14). 

Additional closures are scheduled for this Sunday (September 17), next Tuesday (September 19), and next Thursday (September 21), affecting a total of 122 locations. 

Full list of 71 stores bought by Poundland:

• Aberdare
• Alfreton
• Alnwick
• Altrincham
• Ammanford
• Ashby
• Barking
• Bedminster
• Beeston
• Bicester
• Bishop Stortford
• Bletchley
• Bolton
• Brentwood
• Brigg
• Cambridge
• Chepstow
• Coalville
• Cramlington
• Droitwich
• Eccles
• Edmonton Green
• Ellesmere Port
• Ferndown
• Gateshead
• Grays
• Greenock
• Grimsby
• Havant
• Hayes
• Headingley
• Hessle Road - Hull
• Hillsborough
• Hitchin
• Jarrow
• Killingworth
• Kimberley
• Lee Circle
• Leek
• Leigh
• Lichfield
• Maidenhead
• Matlock
• Melton Mowbray
• Nelson
• Northallerton
• Orton
• Pembroke Dock
• Peterlee
• Pontefract
• Pontypool
• Redhill
• Redruth
• Ripley
• Rugeley
• Sale
• Seaham
• Selly Oak
• Shrewsbury Darwin Centre
• South Shields
• Southport
• Stafford
• Stamford
• Stockport
• Thornaby
• Wellington
• Wembley
• West Ealing
• Wombwell
• Worcester
• Worksop