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Poundland will close 44 stores, despite being allowed to do business as an essential retailer.
The chain said outlets across the UK will go into “hibernation” after they close on Saturday, to allow business to focus on larger stores in established areas.
It follows an 80% drop in influx since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, after shopping malls and main streets were forced to close their doors.
When appropriate, colleagues in hibernating stores will be put on leave, the company said.
Poundland Retail Director Austin Cooke said: “During the close of March, we learned valuable lessons about how shopping patterns change as people follow government advice to stay home.
(Image: Rex)
“Putting a small number of stores into hibernation helps protect them in the long term and focuses our attention on most of the stores that remain open to serve their neighborhoods.
“We hope this lockdown will be brief and we can reopen our hibernating stores as quickly as possible and we remain grateful for the vital support schemes available to us that help protect jobs.”
About 800 Poundland stores will remain open, the company said.
Poundland’s first 44 stores close
The following branches will temporarily close their doors as of Sunday, January 10.
- Newark, San Marcos place
- Londonderry Ferryquay Street NI
- Grantham, Isaac Newton Center,
- Kingston upon Thames Eden Walk
- Mansfield Four Seasons SC
- Harlow Harvey SC
- Lowestoft Britten SC
- Colchester Culver Street
- Ipswich Sailmakers SC
- Ayr High Street
- Norwich Castle Shopping Center
- Workington Campbell-Savors Way
- Newmarket, Guineas SC
- Carlisle Scotch Street
- Luton 31 The Mall SC
- Dumfries, Loreburne SC
- Belfast Castlecourt SC NI
- Glasgow Union Street
- Newry Buttercrane SC NI
- Falkirk Howgate SC
- Enniskillen Erneside SC NI
- Edinburgh Princes Street
- Newry Quays SC NI
- Perth St Johns SC
- Inverness High Street
- Cardiff 121 Queens Street
- Kirkcaldy Mercado SC
- Bridgwater Angel Place SC
- Cramlington Manor Walks SC
- Burnley 82 Charter Walk SC
- Middlesbrough Captain Cook Square SC
- Preston Fishergate Center
- Durham Riverwalk SC
- Rochdale Exchange SC
- Beverley Flemingate SC
- Chester Frodsham Street
- Farnham the district
- Bootle Strand SC
- Fareham Market Pier
- Solihull main street
- Fareham Whiteley SC
- Newcastle under Lyme Castle Walk
- Crewe Market St
- Merry Hill SC
What counts as an essential retailer?
The closure of businesses across England was ordered in accordance with new national lockdown measures linked to the new Covid-19 variant.
It means that people should stay home except for essential travel and exercise.
Hair salons, spas, zoos, hotels, golf courses, cafes and cinemas are now closed until mid-February, as well as gyms and beauty salons.
However, essential retailers, such as supermarkets and pharmacies, can remain open, as can garden centers and construction merchants.
Places of worship can also be opened for individual prayer and community services, but they must obey social distancing rules and people can only attend with supportive household and bubble members.
Zoos and other animal attractions have to close once again.
Outdoor sports facilities, such as gyms and tennis courts, are also closed until mid-February.
Outdoor team sports will not be allowed.
What do you think of the latest blockade? Let us know in the comment section
But what businesses can stay open?
- Food stores, including over-the-counter, supermarkets, pharmacies, garden centers, construction merchants, and construction product suppliers.
- Market stalls selling essential items
- Repair shops
- Service stations, automatic car washes, vehicle repair and technical inspection services, bicycle shops, and vehicle and taxi rental companies
- Banks, mortgage companies, post offices, short-term loan providers, and money transfer companies
- Funeral directors
- Laundries and dry cleaners
- Medical and dental services
- Veterinarians and pet stores
- Animal rescue centers, pensions and hairdressers
- Agricultural supply stores
- Mobility and disability support stores
- Storage and distribution facilities
- Parking lots, public restrooms, and highway service areas
- Outdoor Playgrounds
- Outdoor parts of botanical gardens and heritage sites for exercise
- Places of worship
- Crematories and cemeteries
“It is clear that we need to do more together to control this variant as our vaccines are launched,” said Boris Johnson, announcing the measures Tuesday.
The latest lockdown will see more than 550,000 business closures in England, according to property consultant Altus Group.
The company said this included 401,690 nonessential stores, 64,537 pubs or restaurants, 20,703 personal care facilities and 7,051 gyms or leisure centers.
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