BLOCKBUSTER may in trouble but the video rental chain taking over a Poole branch wants to save the jobs of former employees.

Director of Premiere Video and Entertainment, Tom Hardy, is hoping to ease the transition for former Blockbuster employees at the store on Wimborne Road by offering them a job.

The new owner also said that the space would continue to be used as a video store. He said: “Current employees at the Blockbuster on Wimborne Road will be offered a job because they already have such good expertise and we want to support them in the takeover.

“We would like to keep the existing Blockbuster members and serve the whole community.

“I believe there is still a lot in the business and room for video stores to continue running as long as overheads are kept to a minimum.”

The store will be completely refitted over the next couple of weeks, but the set-up will be similar to the former occupant.

New releases will be stocked each week along with comedy classics, sci-fi and family favourites.

Premiere Video Entertainment Ltd has four other small video rental stores in the UK, with branches in Exeter, Bath, Torqauy and Paignton.

Blockbuster is in administration for the second time this year and “closing down” sales recently started at local branches.

It has been reported that all 264 stores in the UK could shut in addition to the 72 branches already earmarked for closure.

Bournemouth branches of the video rental giant remain at Westover Retail Park on Castle Lane West, Poole Road in Westbourne and Holdenhurst Road. Christchurch has a branch at Bargates and Ringwood has one in Southampton Road.