Poundland is closing another 11 stores today after the discount chain saw its restructuring plan approved by the High Court this week. The budget retailer had warned it risked running out of money in days if the deal was not given the green light.
Poundland had previously announced plans to close 68 branches after it was sold for £1 to investment firm Gordon Brothers, the former owner of Laura Ashley. The company has already closed 40 of these branches, and another 11 stores will pull down the shutters permanently today, including locations in Birmingham and Nottingham.
Another closure, in Irvine, Scotland, has also been scheduled for September 14. Poundland had around 800 stores before it was sold. The company expects the latest closures, alongside leases expiring, will see its store estate eventually reduced to between 650 and 700.
Poundland will also close its distribution centre at Darton, South Yorkshire and its national distribution centre at Bilston in the West Midlands in early 2026. It comes after the discount chain revealed it is rolling out a new simpler £1, £2, £3 pricing structure to its UK stores, as part of plans to go 'back to its roots'.
The new pricing will be available in all UK stores in phases between now and September, following a successful trial at 17 stores in the West Midlands. In the pilot stores, prices were significantly reduced and ranges re-focused on customer favourites. The proportion of grocery items at £1 increased to over 60%.
Once the rollout is complete, around 60% of grocery items will be at £1, 20% at £2, and 20% at £3. Examples of £1 lines include Heinz Baked Beans (415g), John West Tuna (125g), and Haribo Starmix (160g). Poundland claims removing more expensive £5 items has reduced shoplifting by over 25% in trial stores.
