Discount retailer to temporarily ‘hibernate’ shops at 100 sites across UK

High street retailer Poundland is to close shops at 100 sites across the UK, including seven throughout the North West.

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 in 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 union 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 SC

Nottingham Chilwell RP

Truro

Swansea Fforestfach RP

Gateshead Team Valley RP

Ebbw Vale FOC

Crewe

Watford 77 High Street

Chester Old Sealand RP

Falmouth

Ormskirk Two Saints RP

Pontefract

Wick RP

Walsall Saddlers SC

Christchurch

Selly Oak RP

Whitehaven

Droylsden

Barrow in Furness Hindpool RP

Yardley Swan SC

Meadowhall SC

Manchester Arndale SC

York Monks Cross RP

Carlisle Scotch Street

Hammersmith Kings Street

Sutton Coldfield

Oswestry

Newport Spytty RP

Rotherham Parkgate RP

Kings Lynn Vancouver SC

RP = retail park; SC = shopping centre; FOC = factory outlet centre