Poundland Closure in Oldham

The Poundland store in Oldham town centre will shut its doors today, December 13.

The discount store chain is closing down dozens of stores across the country as part of a huge restructure.

Sold to investment firm Gordon Brothers for £1 earlier this year, the business is trying to shed between 100 and 150 branches across the UK.

Oldham was announced among the latest slate of closures, alongside 31 other locations due to close between December and January. 
The announcement followed 57 other Poundland shops that have already closed their doors for good. 

The affected branches have launched significant clearance sales to clear stock, with price reductions of up to 40 per cent. 

Darren MacDonald, Poundland’s UK country manager, said: “We know how disappointing it is when we leave a store, but before we close our doors for a final time, we’re determined to say goodbye by offering even more amazing value to customers.

“The special reductions, on top of the value we provide in every store, will help us leave locations we’re leaving with pride.” 

The closure has sparked sadness and outrage in the borough, with locals commenting online that it was a ‘sign of the town’s decline’. Others worried it would be replaced by a HMO or ‘another vape shop’.

Local resident David Johnson described the current state of the shop, saying: “Bare empty shelves, hardly anything left… My commiserations to the staff working there, hopefully they find another job after this.” 

But another local, Jasmin, believed the reaction to the loss was overblown. “Relax. If we survived losing Woolworths, we can survive Poundland packing its bags,” she said, then quipped: “Worst case, we all start bartering with each other like it’s medieval times. Two Freddos for a loaf, anyone?” 

The decision comes just months after a ‘closure scare’, when the branch suddenly shut its doors after a dispute with its landlord, Merchant Taylor Commercial. The firm served notice on Poundland in June, suddenly taking possession of the contents of the shop unless the discounter paid a Bailiff Fee.

The branch reopened a week later, just as the first slate of store closures were announced, which at the time did not include Oldham.