By Dan Stacey

Copyright expressandstar

The British variety store chain, whose HQ is in Willenhall, is giving customers across the country the chance to secure bargain deals ahead of the closure of 18 stores, including one in Walsall.

The branch in Digbeth in St Matthew’s Quarter in Walsall town centre is due to close this month and is among of several stores to offer up to 40 per cent off on homewares, groceries, clothing and health and beauty products ahead of its closure.

There is a larger branch in nearby Park Street.

The retailer recently brought its 68-store closure programme to a conclusion having closed 57 stores by September 28, while placing another 11 closures on hold. Poundland says it still expects to operate a network of around 650-700 stores.

Launching the markdown sales Poundland’s retail director Darren MacDonald 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.

“These special reductions, on top of the value we offer day-in-day-out across our wider network, will help us leave these locations with pride.

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

Last week, returning to its roots, Poundland completed the roll-out of ‘£1, £2, £3’ pricing simplicity in its grocery aisles, ensuring around 60 per cent of all items sold are £1.

In the coming months Poundland plans to extend that new pricing simplicity to its general merchandise and clothing ranges.

Walsall is the focus of an ambitious £1.5 million investment programme to give the shopping zone a facelift by demolishing a number of old shops to open up a pedestrian walkway between the bus station in St Paul’s Street to the railway station in Station Street and revamping the Saddlers Centre.