Poundland temporarily closes 32 stores
Poundland has temporarily closed 32 of its stores due to the coronavirus crisis.
Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw said it had been told by the discount retailer that it has asked employees from the stores to voluntarily agree to be furloughed. Affected staff members will receive 80% of average earnings in line with the Government’s Jobs Retention Scheme.
Poundland has given the following reasons for the temporary closures:
- The store is located in a retail park or shopping centre instructed to close by a landlord / business requirement
- There are a number of stores in the same area and closing will assist to streamline distribution operations
- There are not enough employees available to staff the store.
Dave Gill, Usdaw national officer, said: “This is clearly a difficult time for shopworkers on the frontline of providing essential services during the coronavirus emergency. We understand why the company feel the need to temporarily streamline the number of outlets and we have emphasised the need for furloughed workers to be volunteers. Usdaw continues in negotiations with the company, where we are calling for Poundland to top up the Government scheme, so that our members have no loss of income.”
