Poundland to mothball 100 stores

Discount retailer Poundland is to temporarily close shops at 100 sites across the UK in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Staff will be furloughed, the retailer said.

A Poundland spokesperson said: “Poundland is addressing the disruption caused by coronavirus by placing about 100 of its stores into temporary hibernation this week.

“Largely these are in places where we’ve got two stores close to each other or we’re in a shopping centre that’s told us it’s difficult to stay open for just us.

“Hibernation will allow us to focus colleagues in a slightly smaller number of locations, provide better service to communities in consolidated stores as some colleagues transfer nearby and fill the gaps caused by other colleagues who are currently self-isolation

“Where it’s not possible to transfer colleagues to a nearby store or other work, we’ll be seeking to actively use the government’s furlough scheme to protect jobs for the future.”

Usdaw national officer Dave Gill said: “This is clearly a difficult time for shopworkers on the frontline of providing essential services during the coronavirus emergency.

“We understand why the company feel the need to temporarily streamline the number of outlets and we have emphasised the need for furloughed workers to be volunteers.

“Usdaw continues in negotiations with the company, where we are calling for Poundland to top up the Government scheme, so that our members have no loss of income.”

The list of the first stores to close temporarily are:

Birmingham Corporation Street

Farnham

Ilford The Mall Shopping Centre

Nottingham Chilwell Retail Park

Truro

Swansea Fforestfach Retail Park

Gateshead Team Valley Retail Park

Ebbw Vale FOC

Crewe

Watford 77 High Street

Chester Old Sealand Retail Park

Falmouth

Ormskirk Two Saints Retail Park

Pontefract

Wick Retail Park

Walsall Saddlers Shopping Centre

Christchurch

Selly Oak Retail Park

Whitehaven

Droylsden

Barrow in Furness Hindpool Retail Park

Yardley Swan Shopping Centre

Meadowhall

Manchester Arndale

York Monks Cross Retail Park

Carlisle Scotch Street

Hammersmith Kings Street

Sutton Coldfield

Oswestry

Newport Spytty Retail Park

Rotherham Parkgate Retail Park

Kings Lynn Vancouver Shopping Centre