Major retailer Poundland has faced a challenging year amid a significant restructuring plan, resulting in the shutdown of a substantial number of stores. Yet, there appears to be little sign of relief, as more closures are on their way in 2026, in yet another major blow to the UK high street.

In June, owners Pepco sold the brand to a US investment company, Gordon Brothers, for just £1, with a major restructuring plan launched immediately afterwards. The initial plan was to close 68 shops and two warehouses in the UK, putting 1,300 jobs at risk. However, the discount retailer concluded its main store closure programme in September, shutting 57 stores and placing 11 closures on hold. Since then, more than 40 other closures have been revealed, due to leases expiring or landlords serving notice.

By the start of 2026, Poundland is set to shut more than 100 sites as it looks to slash its estate from nearly 800 sites to between 650 and 700. Before the closures, Poundland employed over 16,000 people across 792 branches in the UK and Ireland.

During the summer, in preparation for these closures, a significant number of Poundland stores launched sales. 

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. And when we close our doors, we look forward to welcoming customers to one of the hundreds of Poundland stores we’ll continue to operate right across the UK.”

By the end of December, 18 more Poundland stores will have closed, with two scheduled to cease operation from December 13. 

1. Christchurch (Meteor Retail Park), Dorset – December 5
2. Arnold, Nottinghamshire – December 6
3. Worthing, West Sussex – December 6
4. Droitwich, Worcestershire – December 9
5. Ballymena, County Antrim, Northern Ireland – December 13
6. Oldham, Greater Manchester – December 13
7. Weston Favell, Northamptonshire – December 19
8. Lancaster, Lancashire – December 19
9. Portishead, Somerset – December 24
10. Grantham, Lincolnshire – December 24
11. Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset – December 24
12. Hammersmith, Greater London – December 24
13. Portadown, County Armagh, Northern Ireland – December 31
14. Farnham, Surrey – December 31
15. Brighton, East Sussex – December 31
16. Hempstead Valley, Kent – December 31
17. Northampton Sixfields, Northamptonshire – December 31
18. Prestatyn, Denbighshire – December 31
19. Bexhill, East Sussex – January 5
20. Ponders End, Greater London – January 5
21. Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, Scotland – January 5
22. Faversham, Kent – January 6
23. Mitcham, Greater London – January 14
24. Liverpool, Merseyside – January 15
25. Yeovil, Somerset – January 16
26. Cameron Toll, Edinburgh, Scotland – January 20
27. Nottingham Eastpoint, Nottinghamshire – January 22
28. Lymington, Hampshire – January 23
29. Christchurch (47 High Street), Dorset – January 23
30. Bristol Avon Meads, Bristol – January 29
31. Winton, Dorset – February 6
32. Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, Scotland – February 8

Founded by Dave Dodd and Steven Smith in 1990, the variety store chain became known for selling all its items at a single price of £1. The retailer grew from a single location in Burton upon Trent, opening its hundredth location in 2003. In January 2025, in response to a sales slump, it was reported that the company would expand its £1-and-under product range.