'Absolutely ridiculous' shoppers are shouting as discount chain closes branch within weeks
A DISCOUNT chain with 800 stores will close another branch in a few weeks.
Shoppers have branded Poundland's closure as “absolutely ridiculous”.
The bargain brand will shutter its store in Galashiels, Scotland, at the end of February, although an exact date has not been confirmed.
Locals commented on the post on social media, writing: “How sad is this…”
It generated dozens of responses from disappointed customers.
One said: “Absolutely ridiculous. Targeting the poorest.”
Another wrote: “So sad to hear this, I love the pound shop and feel sorry for all the lovely staff too.”
A third said: “Noooo…where am I going to do my Christmas shopping now???”
A fourth posted: “Actually gutted. Even with price changes, you can still get some treats and essentials in there without breaking the bank.
“The staff is always top notch, whether full-time or passing through.”
While a fifth said: “Wow..didn't expect this…gutted.”
Reviews for the online store describe it as “great for those on a budget” and say it has “lots of bargains.”
A spokesperson for Poundland confirmed The Sun's closure, saying it had been unable to renew the store's lease or find another location in Galashiels.
They said: “We are as disappointed as colleagues and customers that we have not been able to extend our current lease or find alternative premises in Galashiels.
“Unfortunately this means the store will close at the end of February if we can find the right premises futurenothing would give us more pleasure than to return to the city.”
It says it will do everything it can to take care of the store's employees.
Elsewhere, Poundland is said to be downing the shutters of its site in the Sailmakers Shopping Centre, Ipswich.
But now the discounter, which has more than 800 stores in Great Britain, has pulled out 180 after negotiations with the landlord.
A spokesperson confirmed the news: “We have been working hard behind the scenes with the landlord and are pleased that we have managed to reach an agreement that will keep the store open.”
Poundland closed its store in Colwyn Bay, Wales, on January 5 and another branch in Basingstoke on December 31.
It comes after further closures took place last year.
In 2023, the following companies closed their doors:
- Bolton – closed August 22
- Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire – closed June 11
- King's Lynn, Norfolk – closed June 2
- Gateshead – closed May 25
- Festival Park, Stoke – closed May 19
- Dewsbury – closed May 17
- Swadlincote – closed April 25
- Epsom – closed March 29
- Lime Square, Openshaw – closed March 27
- Ipswich – closed on March 11
- Southport – closed on March 3
- Walkden – closed on February 28
But the closures come as part of major expansion plans for the retailer.
Poundland opened 75 stores at Christmas last year.
In October, this concerned 71 former Wilko locations after his rival fell in government.
In December, Poundland boss Austin Cooke said the retailer had experienced “great” trading at the acquired former Wilko sites.
He added: “People are very happy that we are opening in their cities.
“You can't deny that times are tough for many and the cost of living is having an impact, but it only gives us more and more reason to provide excellent value.”
What else is happening on the shopping street?
Retailers have been feeling the pressure since the pandemic, as shoppers cut back on spending due to the rising cost of living.
High energy costs and the move to online shopping after the pandemic are also taking their toll, with many high street stores struggling to continue.
The high street has seen a slew of closures in the past year and more are in the pipeline.
Several major brands have also collapsed, such as Wilko and Paperchase.
Many retailers are struggling to make ends meet, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Energy costs have risen and more consumers than ever are choosing to order online instead of going to the store.
This leaves some retailers struggling with budgets and having no choice but to close stores to cut costs.
British retailers saw the amount of goods sold fall last month, at the fastest pace in three years, as under-pressure households moved some of their Christmas shopping to earlier this year.
Sales volumes fell 3.2% in December, Office for National Statistics data showed, compared with a 1.4% increase a month earlier.
Several major chains are pulling down the shutters for the last time this month.
A Tesco Express in Whitefriars Shopping Center is temporarily closed until March 4.
Lidl will pull down the shutters on its Thornaby site later this month.
The bargain retailer has confirmed that its Stockton-on-Tees locations will close on February 29.
Boots revealed it would close 300 stores over the next year as part of plans to develop its brand.
Fashion chain Peacocks downed the shutters of its branch in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, last month.
Entertainment retailer HMV also closed its branch in Boston, Lincolnshire on January 27.
And the catering sector has also been hit: pubs such as Wetherspoons and restaurants such as Frankie & Benny's and Chiquito have closed their doors.
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