Union calls for government action to save Poundland from administration with Hampshire jobs at risk
‘I am calling on the Government to do everything it can to save 11,000 job
A union is calling for the government to take action and save jobs at Poundland with the discount retailer filing notice to appoint administrators.
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) are calling for action to be taken to help prevent job losses with Poundland employing around 12,000 people.
Usdaw general secretary Joanne Thomas said: “I am calling on the Government to do everything it can to save 11,000 jobs, which are mainly done by women and part-time workers.
“Over the past five years, around 250,000 jobs have been lost in the retail sector. Job security is a key priority for a successful economy; therefore, I urge the Government to grant the retail sector the same priority and strategic support it provides to other vital industries.”
National Officer Bally Auluk said: “It has been an incredibly distressing week for Poundland staff who have had to watch from the sidelines as a multi-billion pound company jeopardises their livelihoods as it tries to extract £30m from a business it bought for £1.
“Poundland’s managing director Barry Williams has reluctantly filed a notice of intention, to give the business time to find a rescue deal and prevent Gordon Brothers from breaking up the business.
“We are urging Gordon Brothers to reconsider and to prioritise a unified buyer who will protect the livelihoods of 11,000 people.”
Poundland are entering administration after owner Gordon Brothers rejected a takeover offer from Irish real estate firm Martin Property Group, which management named as their preferred bidder earlier this month.
Gordon Brothers – which only bought Poundland last year for £1 – launched a sale process for the retailer at the start of September.
Wilko and The Range owner CDS Superstores, Poundstretcher owner Fortress and TG Jones owner Modella are all understood to be interested in buying parts of the Poundland business.
It is understood the retailer has appointed advisers at AlixPartners to oversee the insolvency process and assess offers to buy all or parts of the business.
Poundland currently runs around 600 stores across the UK, including shops in Commercial Road, Portsmouth, West Street in Fareham, London Road in Waterlooville and Greywell Shopping Centre, Havant.
Gordon Brothers had overseen a major turnaround programme at Poundland that included closing more than 100 shops including stores in Cosham and Gosport.