Poundland is set to shutter two stores next week and a further seven in Feburary as it continues efforts to turn the brand's fortunes around. The upcoming shutterings follow a huge wave of large-scale closures implemented as part of a restructuring programme to save the brand. The move helped Poundland narrowly avoid plunging into administration, and the firm has now said the restructure is complete, but there's still "much to do".
Rescue efforts were set in motion in June after the struggling high street chain was bought by American investment firm Gordon Brothers from previous owners Pepco following a slump in sales. In a bid to revive the beloved budget brand's fortunes, Poundland secured High Court approval last August for a turnaround plan involving reducing its store count from around 800 to 651, and cutting its work force from 14,200 to around 12,000 at the end of 2025 (approximately 2,200 job losses).
In a statement on Friday, Poundland said the wave of large-scale closures has come to an end and that: "Any future closures will be a consequence of standard business-as-usual lease events expected at a retailer with a large store network."
Further closures are scheduled in the coming weeks. Some appear to have been previously announced, and it's not clear if they're remaining branches factored into the wave of closures, or lease events. Express.co.uk has approached Poundland for more information.
Poundland's Gosport and Bristol Avon Meads, Bristol will both close next week, on Thursday, January 29.
A further seven will close next month. You can find the stores leaving the high street below:
Poundland has made clear that the work to turnaround their finances isn't over. Christmas trading figures showed like-for-like underlying sales dropping 2.9% in the quarter to December 28 after the chain dropped prices.
However, comparable store sales by volume saw a 2% increase. Poundland managing director Barry Williams said:
"While there's been significant progress as we refocus and re-energise the business with lower prices and a sharper offer, we know we still have much to do.
He added that the chain's focus on their costs has, "without doubt, given us a platform for future growth, but no sustainable turnaround can be based on cost management alone".
"That's why our focus in 2026 will be on delivering the kind of ranges and price simplicity our customers want right across the store - in clothing, homewares as well as our core grocery aisles," he added.
Mr Williams said their customers had told them "loud and clear they want a simpler, more focused Poundland that keeps its promise of amazing value".
"We have clear indications from the work we've already done that we're on the right track."
-
Student had a beard transplant in Turkey just three months later he was dead

-
Charming UK village with cobbles and floral displays is 'as lovely as the Cotswolds'

-
Uttar Pradesh: Man, woman jump from second floor after being accosted by Hindutva group

-
Priyanka Chaturvedi questions UGC's new regulations, calls for equal protection for all

-
India, US discuss strengthening defence cooperation, military-to-military engagement
