'The threat to Poundland is very concerning'
Closure will hit families struggling to make ends meet, warns MP
NORTH Antrim MP Jim Allister MP has voiced concerns about future of local Poundland stores.
Shoppers in Ballymena have already been told to expect some popular products to be missing from the shelves as a halt to some deliveries begins to bite.
Eleventh hour talks continued this week with the US-based owners of the popular chain in a last ditch bid to save the retailer from collapse.
The discount chain is on the brink of insolvency and Gordon Brothers, which bought it for £1 last June, has rejected a takeover bid which could have saved the 12,000 jobs currently at risk.
The new owners have previously said Poundland faces multiple economic challenges from rising inflation, increasing staff costs, and ‘severe levels of shoplifting’.
Speaking on Wednesday. Jim Allister said the loss of the stores would be a further blow to families facing soaring cost of living pressures.
“The threat to Poundland is very concerning,” said the TUV man.
“Poundland is a key part of the retail offering in both Ballymena and Ballymoney, especially when many families are struggling to make ends meet.
“The owners of this apparently solvent company are reportedly rejecting purchase offers and wish to secure insolvency for personal financial reasons.
“This suggests a dishonourable abuse of the insolvency process.
“I urge government to maximise the pressure on the company to act appropriately as 12,000 jobs across the UK are at stake.”