More than seven out of 10 former Woolworths stores are still empty more than six months after the chain’s demise, according to research for The Times.

Iceland was the retailer to snap up the most stores, taking up more than 50. Other bargain retailers – including 99p Stores, Heron Frozen Foods, Home Bargains and Poundland – also snapped up at least 10 stores each.

The Times’ research suggested many of the discount retailers were using the sites to expand their territory – Home Bargains had used the opportunity to gain a foothold in the south, for example.

“The fact that only about 20% of the Woolworths stores have been sold by the administrators says a lot about current retail demand,” said Rob Alston, partner at property specialist Cushman & Wakefield.

“While a substantial number of other units have either been let or are currently under offer via the landlords, there is a still a huge hole in many towns in the UK.”