Major bargain chain with 850 branches to shut ‘absolutely fantastic’ store in HOURS as shoppers grumble ‘not another’
A MAJOR retailer is shutting one of its 850 branches within the next few hours in yet another high street closure.
The infamous budget store Poundland has told customers that its branch at The Shires Shopping Centre in Trowbridge will close today – 20 July.
Signs have sadly been put up on the shopfront, warning locals about the imminent closure.
They read: “Sorry. We’re closing July 20. Visit our website for other nearby stores.”
For residents of Trowbridge, the closest nearby locations are in Warminster, Devizes, Chippenham, Swindon, and Salisbury.
It comes after terms on the shop’s lease could not be agreed between the retailer and shopping centre’s management.
The closure means shoppers have been left fearing a “ghost town”, as there are so many empty retail units in the area.
A staff member at Poundland confirmed the branch is closing down on July 20.
The Sun also contacted a spokesperson for the retailer, who added: “We’ve also now confirmed that Hitchin is staying open, and not closing after we’ve arranged a new lease.”
The Trowbridge closure is not the only to be announced by Poundland in recent months.
The discounter pulled down the shutters on a store in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, just last month, after taking it on from failed chain Wilko last year.
Poundland bought 71 ex-Wilko stores when the retailer fell into administration last year.
The discounter re-branded the locations and opened many up before Christmas.
But since then, several have closed down, including in Ellesmere Port, Galashiels, Scotland, and the Sailmakers Shopping Centre in Ipswich.
In total, Poundland has shut down nine former Wilko locations just months after bringing them back to life.
However, despite the nine closures, it still means Poundland has massively grown its presence on the high street in recent months.
It is also normal for retailers to open and close branches in different areas depending on customer demand.