Woolworths stores in Gwent will begin closing their doors for the final time on Saturday.

Adminstrators announced yesterday stores in Abergavenny and Chepstow will be the first of the 11 stores in Gwent to shut on December 27.

Closures of shops in Ebbw Vale, Monmouth and Newport’s Kingsway Centre will follow on December 30 and in Pontypool, Tredegar and Abertillery on January 2.

Stores in Blackwood, Cwmbran and Newport’s East Retail Park will be among the last stores left open in the UK before they close on January 5.

Administrators Deloitte released a schedule of closures for the failed retailer after an announcement was made last week stores could close by the end of December unless a buyer was found for Woolworths.

The closures will put Gwent’s 377 Woolworths workers out of work in the new year, including 110 employed by Newport’s Maesglas store, 65 in Cwmbran and 37 in Abergavenny.

There are 19 workers employed at Woolworths in Abertillery, 22 in Blackwood, 19 in Chepstow, 23 in Ebbw Vale, 21 in Monmouth, 30 in Newport’s city centre store, 17 in Pontypool and 14 in Tredegar.

Closing down sales began at Woolworths stores last week with the price of much of the stock reduced by 50 percent.

Thousands of shoppers descended on Gwent’s stores to pick up bargains and last minute Christmas presents.

Administrators said they are in discussions over selling more than 800 stores owned by Woolworths across the country.