‘You’re joking’ cry customers as popular discount retailer with 800 branches confirms more store closures

A MAJOR discount retailer has confirmed it will be closing another two branches in a tough blow to the high street.

A Poundland store in Jackson Square in Bishop’s Stortford is closing for good on May 4.   

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Another store on Bradfield Road in Hillsborough Sheffield is due to close its doors for the final time on April 20, according to local media.

Both stores opened just six months ago taking over former Wilko sites. 

A flurry of shoppers have taken to Facebook to share their disappointment at hearing the news. 

One user said: “That’s a shame.”

“Closing already?” asked another.

“This must be disappointing for the Wilko staff who thought their jobs had been saved when Poundland took over the shop.”

A fourth user said: “You’re joking!! Just found out it’s there.”

“Bring back Wilko’s,” said someone else. 

Some social media users also said the Sheffield Poundland has a queue outside the branch with shoppers hoping to bag deals in a 50% sale.

When asked about the Bishop’s Stortford closure a Poundland spokesperson told The Sun: “We know that will be disappointing to customers and colleagues alike – we will, of course, do all we can, to look for other opportunities for colleagues.”

Poundland bought up 71 ex-Wilko stores when the retailer fell into administration last year.

The discounter quickly turned around the locations and opened up many of the stores under its own brand before Christmas.

Since then several stores have closed down including locations in Ellesmere Port, Glashiels, Alfreton and the Sailmakers Shopping Centre in Ipswich.

The discounter has around 800 branches across the UK, and it is giving a makeover to 150 locations with many getting additional features like chilled food ranges and baby and kids clothing sections.

What is happening to the high street?

The high street has been struggling in recent years as shoppers increasingly turn to online retail.

High energy costs and business rates have hit retailers hard.

This has left some remaining retailers grappling with budgets and having no choice but to close stores to cut costs.

For the most part, supermarkets have braved the storm as they provide essential items like food and drink but other retailers have been less fortunate.

A number of major brands have crashed into administration since the start of 2023, including Wilko and Paperchase.

This year, The Body Shop fell into administration and has seen dozens of branches close, 82 will have shut in total by the end of April.

Boots announced it would be closing 300 stores over the next year as part of plans to evolve its brand.

Retailers closing stores in 2024

RETAILERS have been feeling the squeeze since the pandemic, while shoppers are cutting back on spending due to the soaring cost of living crisis.

High energy costs and a move to shopping online are also taking a toll, and many high street shops have struggled to keep going.

Here’s a list of all the big-name brands closing stores this year:

• Argos – The brand announced plans to close 100 standalone UK branches last year as it looks to move away from the high street and focus on expanding its presence in supermarkets.
• B&Q – The chain has over 300 shops across the UK, so chances are you have one near you, but some stores have closed in recent months.
• Boots – The health and beauty chain announced that it would be closing 300 stores last July. Closures are ongoing and this will see the retailer’s estate reduced from 2,200 to 1,900 shops.
• Clintons – Clintons mulled plans to close 38 shops in a bid to avoid insolvency late last year. We’ve listed the stores affected.
• Costa Coffee – The caffeine giant has around 2,000 sites nationwide, so chances are you’ll have one near you. The chain has shut the doors to dozens of its sites recently. We’ve revealed which stores are due to close this year.
• Iceland – The supermarket has more than 900 stores but closed nearly two dozen sites in 2023, and more selected shops are due to shut.
• Lidl – The supermarket, which has 950 stores, is changing up shop locations, which has meant that some stores have to close. But the retailer is also looking to open 12 new supermarkets.
• M&S – M&S, which runs 405 stores across the country, has been closing a string of branches across the country in a blow for shoppers. It’s not all bad news, though, because the chain also has big plans to open dozens of new shops as well.
• Trespass – The firm announced in July last year that it was closing six branches, but more are on the way.
• WHSmith – The retail giant, which runs over 1,100 stores, has shuttered eight stores since March 2023, but more are coming.

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This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk