Poundland has confirmed the closure of its Wells store in Somerset as part of a broader third wave of store closures. Announced this week, the plan will see 68 stores across the UK shut their doors permanently, with 32 closures scheduled for August alone.
The Wells location is set to close on August 24, marking a significant reduction in Poundland’s retail footprint as the discount chain continues its restructuring efforts to stabilize the business. This latest round follows prior closures and is aimed at securing the future of the company.
Darren MacDonald, Poundland’s retail director, expressed regret over the necessity of these measures: “It is sincerely regrettable that our recovery plans include any store closures, but sadly that’s necessary if we’re to safeguard thousands of jobs and hundreds of stores.”
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He reassured customers and employees alike, noting that despite these closures, Poundland’s network will remain sizable, with approximately 650 to 700 stores operational. “We understand how disappointing it is for customers when a local store closes. However, we invite them to visit nearby Poundland locations,” MacDonald said.
He also addressed staff affected by the closures, emphasizing the company’s commitment to support through a formal consultation process and efforts to find suitable alternative roles within the chain.
Employees at stores earmarked for closure were first notified in June, with final closing dates now confirmed after recent briefings. The company is managing the process to minimize disruption both to staff and customers during this transition period.