Poundland to put 100 stores in ‘hibernation’
Discount retailer Poundland is to temporarily close shops at 100 sites across the UK including four in Yorkshire, in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
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.”
Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (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:
- Pontefract
- Meadowhall Shopping Centre
- York Monks Cross Retail Park
- Rotherham Parkgate Retail Park
