Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Poundworld set to disappear from the high street as final shop closures announced

Almost 2,500 staff likely to be affected as budget retailer shutters

Helen Cahill
Friday 20 July 2018 00:34 BST
Comments
The latest round of closures will leave just 230 Poundworld branches open
The latest round of closures will leave just 230 Poundworld branches open (PA)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Poundworld will disappear from the high street next month after its administrators announced the chain’s final set of store closures.

Deloitte has said all of the retailer’s stores will likely close by 10 August, affecting 2,339 staff.

The budget retailer is also closing its warehouse and distribution network, the Press Association understands, alongside its head office in Normanton, West Yorkshire, leading to the loss of 300 jobs.

Administrators have announced the closure of 145 Poundworld stores already.

Poundworld fell into administration on 11 June, putting more than 5,100 jobs at risk across its 335-store portfolio.

Deloitte has been announcing tranches of store closures over the past two weeks after failing to find a buyer for the whole business.

Clare Boardman, joint administrator at Deloitte, said: “We would like to thank all the employees for their continued support and commitment during this difficult time. We are keeping staff appraised of developments as they happen.”

The administrators are still in talks with some interested parties about selling parts of the remaining business, but hopes of saving a significant number of jobs has faded.

Deloitte has turned down a bid from company founder Chris Edwards, who was looking to save a raft of stores and safeguard around 3,000 jobs.

The founder of rival Poundland, Steven Smith, has also been linked to a bid to salvage part of Poundworld out of administration.

The collapse came amid decreasing footfall, rising costs and weak consumer confidence.

The budget retail chain, formerly owned by TPG Capital, is one of a number of retailers to call in administrators this year, with Toys R Us and Maplin disappearing from UK high streets.

Toys R Us and Maplin collapse into administration

The Gaucho restaurant group also fell into administration earlier this week, with the Cau chain being closed immediately, leading to the loss of 540 jobs.

Press Association

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in