Poundland set for further expansion with new distribution centre
BLACK Country single-price retailer Poundland is to open a distribution centre in Wigan; an investment that could create up to 800 jobs in the town.
Wigan Council said the development was believed to be the single biggest jobs boost ever for the borough.
The site will be located at South Lancs Industrial Estate in Ashton-in-Makerfield, subject to planning approval, and will serve Poundland’s North West network of shops.
Cllr David Molyneux, Wigan Council’s cabinet member for economy, said: “We are very pro-business at Wigan Council and have worked closely with the developer db symmetry and Poundland to ensure that the plans come to fruition.
“Major investments in the borough are crucial to the local economy and will enable our local residents to access good quality jobs and new opportunities.”
The Poundland site will cover more than 30,000m² on the former land of Georgia Pacific, Lockett Road, Ashton-in-Makerfield.
A planning application for the site has been lodged with the council and will be decided on a date to be set. The development will create a wide range of skilled jobs both full-time and part-time as well as apprenticeships.
Cllr Molyneux added: “This will be the largest single employment creating application that we have dealt with since the authority was formed in 1974 and in my view would rank alongside Heinz coming to Wigan in the 1950s.”
Based in Willenhall, Poundland is the largest single price value retailer in the UK and turnover this year exceeded £1bn. It opened its first store in 1990 and now has more than 580 stores in the UK.
The new hub is part of its ongoing expansion proposals, although the planned acquisition of the 99p Stores group could hit the buffers due to concerns from watchdog, the Competition and Markets Authority.
