Poundland expanding its empire

Midland discount chain Poundland is taking over eight former Peacocks stores in another expansion of its empire.

Chief executive Jim McCarthy said he was delighted to have secured the vacant units.

The move by the Willenhall-based business to take over the stores will create 220 jobs in Yate, Brighton, Dartford, Falkirk and Hoxton, and there are discussions with landlords about taking on other stores across the country. Recruitment for the new jobs is currently under way.

Mr McCarthy said: "Poundland has grown significantly over the past 12 months and we will continue to open new stores, creating local employment opportunities. We are delighted to bring our unique and well-proven single price discount proposition and provide amazing value every day to thousands of new customers in these towns."

Poundland is based in Wellmans Road, where it occupies 650,000 sq ft of warehouse space and has 389 stores nationwide. The new stores will give the business an extra 44,000 sq ft of retail space.

Last year 500 people in Walsall scrambled for just 20 jobs when Poundland opened in the old TJ Hughes building in Walsall town centre. TJ Hughes closed in Walsall in

August with the loss of 42 jobs after falling into administration.

Poundland bosses were so overwhelmed with applications that they conducted 120 interviews for the 20 vacancies.

The chain also created about 40 jobs with the opening of a store in the Pallasades shopping centre in Birmingham this year.

Other recent additions to its empire include branches in Ryemarket Shopping Centre in Stourbridge and the Three Spires Shopping Centre in Lichfield.