Wm Morrison has sold six of its stores to Waitrose.
The Northern-based supermarket chain has exchanged contracts with its up-market rival for the sale of six stores and a non-operational distribution site at Aylesford in Kent.
The stores are located in Sussex, Merseyside, Northumberland, Hampshire, Poole and Southampton. Staff have the option to transfer to Waitrose on completion of contracts.
The transaction remains conditional on the landlords' approval at Lymington, Hexham and Portswood, according to reports.
