Huge bargain retailer with 800 branches to close store after Christmas following plans for expansion
A HUGE bargain retailer with over 800 locations is closing one of its branches after Christmas as it carries out expansion plans.
Poundland is set to pull down the shutters on its store at the Chineham Shopping Centre near Basingstoke on December 31.
A spokesperson for the retailer confirmed it was unable to renew the lease on the branch.
They added any employees impacted by the closure will be relocated to nearby stores including its branch in Festival Place, central Basingstoke.
Shoppers have shared their devastation following the announcement the site will shut for good.
One said: “Noooo! What the hell is happening we’re going to have no shops no choice nothing but coffee shops barbers and phone shops.”
A second said: “Sad to see it go as it saves a lot of people a wasted journey into town.”
Meanwhile, a third fuming shopper said: “FF sake we literally won’t have any shops left soon.”
A fourth added: “Will be sad to see it go.”
It’s not all bad news though as Poundland, owned by Pepco, last month announced it will open 75 stores by Christmas.
The retailer has since announced a further four will open, including in locations such as Liverpool, Falkirk and Cumbernauld.
The bargain chain is taking on a number of former Wilko sites as part of the expansion plans, after the retailer collapsed into administration earlier in August.
Locations have already reopened under the Poundland name in Newcastle, Leicester and Leeds.
The recent Poundland closure comes as a number of other retailers shut stores across the UK.
A number of businesses have been hit hard in recent years as shoppers increasingly turn to online retail.
Figures from the British Retail Consortium reveal 6,000 outlets have closed their doors for good in the last five years.
The trade association said the closures are in part due to “crippling” business rates and the impact of Covid lockdowns.
Sainsbury’s, Clarks and New Look have all shut branches in recent months.
A number of well-known brands, including Cath Kidston, Wilko and Paperchase have all gone into administration this year too.
But it’s not all bad news as some chains have been expanding their presence on the high street like Poundland.
Clarks has opened eight branches across the UK this year, including in Taunton, Reigate, Manchester and London.
Meanwhile, in July, B&M said it would open several new branches within weeks following a string of closures.
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