Poundland to Close 49 Stores Across the UK, Including 10 Permanently Today – Could It Be Disappearing from Your Local Shopping Area?
In a bid to improve performance and return to growth, Poundland has announced plans to close 49 stores across the UK as part of a major restructuring following its sale to US investment firm Gordon Brothers earlier this year. The sale, for a nominal fee of £1, underscores the financial challenges faced by the struggling business.
Gordon Brothers has revealed a comprehensive restructuring plan, which includes closing 68 stores initially, with an additional 70 stores potentially at risk due to lease expirations and rent negotiations. This move could result in the loss of over 1,000 jobs. The goal is to simplify operations and focus on making the business profitable again.
Poundland's managing director, Barry Williams, acknowledged that while the brand remains strong, serving over 20 million shoppers annually, significant action is needed to align performance with the company's high standards and achieve growth.
The list of stores closing includes locations such as Blackburn, Cookstown, Erdington, Horsham, and others, with ten stores set to close today, followed by 15 stores on August 17, 12 on August 24, and 11 on August 31. The closures will continue, with the final store closing on September 14 at the Rivergate Shopping Centre in Irvine, North Ayrshire.
In addition to store closures, Poundland will cease online sales and focus on expanding its womenswear and seasonal collections. The company's frozen and digital distribution center in Darton, South Yorkshire, will also close later this year.
Despite the closures, Poundland's store in Canterbury, St George's Street, has recently reopened after securing a new lease agreement. The company has emphasized that the sale and closures do not mean the end of the Poundland brand but rather a strategic shift to focus on their more successful Pepco business lines.
Gordon Brothers plans to invest up to £80million into restructuring Poundland, with the aim of reviving the brand and returning it to profitability. The investment could potentially reach £100 million.
[1] The Guardian, "Poundland to close 49 stores in major overhaul after sale to US firm", 2025-08-01. [2] The Mirror, "Poundland stores to close: Full list of shops shutting down in major restructuring", 2025-08-03. [3] BBC News, "Poundland to close 49 stores as part of restructuring", 2025-08-04.
The restructuring plan, orchestrated by Gordon Brothers, aims to invest up to £100 million in the retail industry, focusing on reviving Poundland's finance and business operations, as the company faces financial challenges. As part of this plan, Poundland announces the closure of 49 stores, potentially affecting more than 1,000 jobs, with stores in locations such as Blackburn, Cookstown, Erdington, Horsham, and others on the chopping block.
