A MAJOR discount chain with 800 locations is closing more branches within days in a blow for shoppers.
Poundland is pulling down the shutters on two of its stores in England and Wales.
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The retailer, with around 800 sites in the UK, is closings its store in Basingstoke on December 31.
Meanwhile, it will pull down the shutters on its shop in Colwyn Bay, Wales, on January 5, 2024.
A spokesperson for Poundland previously told The Sun both branches are closing after the retailer was unable to renew leases.
Shoppers reacted with devastation following the news the branches will close.
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One Colwyn Bay resident said: “There won’t be anything left soon,” while another argued: “If shops keep closing then there is nothing to get people coming into the bay.”
Shoppers in Basingstoke reaction much in the same way.
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.”
Another added: “Will be sad to see it go.”
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However, it’s not all bad news for Poundland as the retailer is massively expanding its portfolio too.
The bargain chain agreed to take on 71 former Wilko sites after the rival discounter crashed into administration in August.
The first branches opened in early October with more following across the UK including in London, Birmingham and Plymouth.
Poundland has also made offers of employment to over 800 former Wilko colleagues.
Why are retailers closing branches?
The high street has been hit hard as people turn to online retail and away from physical sites.
High inflation from last year has meant households’ budgets haven’t stretched as far either.
It has seen some retailers, including Paperchase and Wilko go bust completely.
Others have been forced to close stores to ensure they stay profitable.
In June, Boots Pharmacy announced it would massively consolidate its portfolio of 2,200 stores to 1,900.
It said it would only close branches in areas where there was another one nearby to lessen the impact on customers.
Meanwhile, House of Fraser has closed three stores this year, including in Cardiff, Guildford and Birmingham.
It also plans to close its branch in Lakeside Shopping Centre, Essex, in January next year.
But, like with Poundland, it’s not all bad news for retailers as some are expanding their presence across the UK.
Wilko has relaunched online and some of its physical branches have reopened to the public since it collapsed into administration.
And in September, B&M snapped up 51 former Wilko stores as part of expansion plans.
Read more on The Sun
Plus, in August, Greggs said it would open eight more branches over the following two months.
In February, Poundstretcher announced plans to open 50 new stores by the end of 2023.
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