Poundland stores come out of hibernation
Poundland is reopening more of its hibernating shops and plans to open more new stores over the next six months to help support the UK’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.
The 55 'hibernating' shops will reopen on Monday, April 12, as non-essential English and Welsh stores are able to trade again as lockdown restrictions are eased.
The West Midland-based discount retailer says it will have opened 25 to 30 Poundland and Dealz stores in the UK and Republic of Ireland over the 12 months to the end of September.
As an essential retailer, the majority of Poundland stores have remained open throughout lockdown.
Poundland brought 29 stores out of hibernation in February and will now reopen 43, including at the Merry Hill shopping centre in Brierley Hill and Sutton Coldfield on April 12 in England, Wales and the Republic of Ireland.
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A dozen PEP&CO standalone fashion stores in England and Wales will also reopen next Monday.
Six further stores in Scotland are set to follow later in the month as restrictions are lifted there.
Poundland, which has its base near the M6 in Willenhall, also confirmed it is pressing ahead with the £25 million transformation programme launched last July, including new store openings and relocations, store revamps and investment in its chilled and frozen food distribution network following the 2020 acquisition of Fultons Foods.
Poundland has created more than 400 new jobs in the current financial year and expects to create at least 250 more by the end of September.
Barry Williams, Poundland managing director, said: “It is fantastic news that our high street neighbours are preparing to get back to business – not just other retailers but the cafés, gyms and hairdressers who make our town centres the vibrant places people love. We’ve missed you and are pleased you’re coming back.
“We know too that many will be making their first tentative steps back into their town centres after being away for some time - we can’t wait to welcome them and say hello. Come see how we’ve changed.
“We’re cracking on with our transformation programme and our investment in new stores, refurbishments, new ranges and distribution. With the challenges faced by high streets, that’s good news for our customers, our colleagues and our communities.”
All the work on store openings and refurbishments will be done in line with Government health and safety guidelines and all Poundland stores will continue to operate with robust health and safety regimes to protect customers and staff.
