Poundland Dealz a new European plan

Black Country-based £1 for everything chain Poundland is expanding into Ireland, renaming its shops as 'Dealz'. It is opening in Europe for the first time in its 21-year history, it revealed today.

The company, which already has 347 stores across the UK, will open four stores in Eire and two more to follow by next March. The company is pumping £1.7 million into the move, creating 180 jobs, which it sees as a stepping stone to moving across to the Continent.

Poundland is predicting the budget Dealz stores will be as popular in Ireland as in England, where it sees 3.5 million shoppers ever week.

As well as offering the Poundland mix of big brands such as Kelloggs, Cadbury's, Maxwell House, Pantene and Kodak, the stores will also sell locally sourced products including milk, eggs and crisps.