Staffordshire store closure: Poundland confirms Stafford exit as 25 branches face axe
Discount retailer Poundland has confirmed it will be shutting down its Staffordshire store at Queens Retail Park, Stafford, next month. The final day of trading has been marked for 17 August, sending shockwaves among regular shoppers in the area.
The closure is part of a wider shake-up that will see 25 Poundland stores across the UK cease operations in August. What’s caught many by surprise is that the Stafford store only opened last year, taking over the former Wilko site in 2023.
The decision to pull out comes after recent changes at the top. Poundland, originally founded in Staffordshire back in 1990, was recently snapped up by US investment firm Gordon Brothers. Now, just weeks after the acquisition, restructuring is in full swing.
“It is, of course, sincerely regrettable that our recovery plans include any store closures, but sadly, that’s necessary if we’re to achieve our goal of securing the future of thousands of jobs and hundreds of stores,” said Darren MacDonald, Poundland’s retail director.
“While our anticipated network of around 650 to 700 stores remains a sizeable one, we entirely understand how disappointing it will be for customers when one nearby closes. Nevertheless, we look forward to continuing to welcome them to a nearby Poundland.”
For shoppers in Stafford, the closure marks the end of a brief yet busy chapter. The store quickly became a convenient stop for bargain hunters following Wilko’s collapse. But with the exit looming, locals will now have to travel further afield for their Poundland fix.
The company hasn’t yet confirmed how many jobs will be affected at the Stafford branch, but it’s understood that staff have already been notified.
More closures are expected across the chain as Poundland looks to streamline operations under its new ownership. Despite the cuts, the brand says it remains committed to maintaining a strong high street presence, with a focus on long-term sustainability.
For now, though, it’s another tough blow to Stafford’s retail scene.
