Jobs at risk as Poundland shifts customer service centre away from Willenhall

Poundland is set to move it Wellmans Road distribution operation in Willenhall into its existing logistics centre at Springvale Avenue in Bilston and to other network centres in Harlow, while also shifting its customer support centre to central Walsall.

Poundland has bought a former HMRC office on Midland Road in Walsall which it plans to refurbish. Walsall Council says the move will help with its planned regeneration of the town centre.

Following consultation with colleagues, the move is expected to complete by the Autumn of 2020 when around 300 colleagues will move into Pattison House their new home.

Poundland has confirmed that a number of distribution centre roles will be at risk of redundancy because of the proposals, but that expects to create roles in its existing logistics network, a “significant proportion” of which will be in nearby Bilston.

The company says it is still unsure of the future of its Willenhall customer support centre.

Poundland managing director Barry Williams said: “These moves are transformative for our business with a new central office for our store support team and a more efficient logistics infrastructure, better serving our 870 stores. With this move taking place in our 30th year, it will help us plan our next 30 years of service to our customers.”

Leader of Walsall Council, councillor Mike Bird said: “Poundland is a major employer in the borough and I’m delighted that they have chosen to make this continued commitment to Walsall. Recent investment in rail infrastructure and the forthcoming improvements to M6 Junction 10 are making Walsall an attractive proposition for companies as a base for operations. Walsall is open for business.”