Poundland staff in Peterborough voice worries for future of troubled retailer
Workers at Poundland stores in Peterborough have voiced concerns over the future for their jobs at the troubled retailer.
A dozen staff have contacted Peterborough MP Andrew Pakes to express their concerns and fears and to urge action to save the discount retailer.
Staff are worried about redundancy even though the retailer is profitable and offers to buy the business have been made.
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Poundland has three stores in Peterborough – at the Brotherhood Retail Park and at the Hereward Cross Shopping Centre in Broadway and at the Bretton Centre in Bretton Way.
Mr Pakes said: “About a dozen Poundland staff have called me to say how much they fear for the future and to ask if I can provide support.
"They are worried about the security of their jobs.The uncertainty is made worse for them so close to Christmas.
"The situation is causing a great deal of uncertainty and anxiety.
“It is an unacceptable situation. Poundland is a profitable company and there is no reason for it cease trading.
"It is only happening because the owners, the US investment firm Gordon Brothers which bought Poundland last year for just £1, think they can make more money by breaking it up and selling the different parts.”
Mr Pakes said that he had written to Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds urging the government to bring Gordon Brothers to the table with Usdaw and to explore every option to keep stores open and protect jobs.
He added: "I've been speaking to local staff and meeting Usdaw representatives, and it is outrageous that workers and local management are being shut out while the future of a successful high-street company hangs in the balance.”
Although the number of Poundland employees in Peterborough has not been revealed, it is know that the retailer has about 11,000 staff at its 600 stores across the UK.
Usdaw National Officer Bally Auluk said: “It has been incredibly distressing 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."
Two bids have been made to rescue Poundland but neither has yet been accepted by the owners.