A MAJOR discount retailer has confirmed it will be closing another two branches in a tough blow to the high street.
A Poundland store in Jackson Square in Bishop’s Stortford is closing for good on May 4.
Two Poundland stores are closing in Sheffield and Bishop’s Stortford[/caption]Another store on Bradfield Road in Hillsborough Sheffield is due to close its doors for the final time on April 20.
Both stores opened just six months ago taking over former Wilko sites.
A flurry of shoppers have taken to Facebook to share their disappointment at hearing the news.
One user said: “That’s a shame.”
“Closing already?” asked another.
“This must be disappointing for the Wilko staff who thought their jobs had been saved when Poundland took over the shop.”
A fourth user said: “You’re joking!! Just found out it’s there.”
“Bring back Wilko’s,” said someone else.
Some social media users also said the Sheffield Poundland has a queue outside the branch with shoppers hoping to bag deals in a 50% sale.
A Poundland spokesperson told The Sun: “We know that will be disappointing to customers and colleagues alike – we will, of course, do all we can, to look for other opportunities for colleagues.”
Poundland bought up 71 ex-Wilko stores when the retailer fell into administration last year.
The discounter quickly turned around the locations and opened up many of the stores under its own brand before Christmas.
Since then several stores have closed down including locations in Ellesmere Port, Glashiels, Alfreton and the Sailmakers Shopping Centre in Ipswich.
The discounter has around 800 branches across the UK, and it is giving a makeover to 150 locations with many getting additional features like chilled food ranges and baby and kids clothing sections.
The high street has been struggling in recent years as shoppers increasingly turn to online retail.
High energy costs and business rates have hit retailers hard.
This has left some remaining retailers grappling with budgets and having no choice but to close stores to cut costs.
For the most part, supermarkets have braved the storm as they provide essential items like food and drink but other retailers have been less fortunate.
Several well-known major brands have fallen into administration including Wilko and Paperchase.
This year, The Body Shop fell into administration and has seen dozens of branches close, 82 will have shut in total by the end of April.
Boots announced it would be closing 300 stores over the next year as part of plans to evolve its brand.
RETAILERS have been feeling the squeeze since the pandemic, while shoppers are cutting back on spending due to the soaring cost of living crisis.
High energy costs and a move to shopping online are also taking a toll, and many high street shops have struggled to keep going.
Here’s a list of all the big-name brands closing stores this year:
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