Kentish Express Ashford & District
POUNDLAND ON THE MOVE
Shoppers flock to closing sale
Bigger store opening in centre
Set to take over old BHS site
Poundland has confirmed that it will be moving into a larger unit in a shopping centre in Ashford “over the summer”’.
The budget chain’s High Street branch will shut this Sunday.
A Poundland spokesman has confirmed that the store WILL move into County Square in the town centre, but Poundland bosses are yet to say where, despite talk that it will take over the former BHS premises which has been empty since last July.
Staff in Poundland – which is based in the old Woolworths store – have been telling customers that the shop is closing and the firm aims to move into the BHS building.
Customers have been told that the store and staff will merge with the other smaller Poundland store already inside County Square, which will continue trading until the revamped BHS outlet is ready to open.
A Poundland spokesman said: “We’re delighted to announce our Poundland expansion in Ashford over the summer and are looking forward to welcoming some new faces to our existing teams during this transitional time.
“The expansion will see us move our County Square store to a larger site in the Square where families will also be able to shop for great fashion at affordable prices, through our Pep & Co clothing range.”
But in relation to the store’s new location, a spokesman said: “When we have news regarding the store to share with you, we will.”
In social media messages to customers seen by the Kentish Express, Poundland stated that its High Street store will close this Sunday.
All stock in the High Street branch was reduced by 25% last week, and customers have been going mad for the bargains in the store when stock was further reduced to half price on Tuesday.
Stock was flying off the shelves, and some whole aisles were quickly closed off because they could not be restocked.
It is believed that the new Ashford Poundland store will be one of the biggest Poundland stores in Kent as the old BHS store has two floors.
Up until the start of this year Poundland had three outlets in Ashford – in the High Street, in County Square and at the Warren Retail Park.
But the firm’s unit on the Warren Retail Park closed in February, just eight months after it opened, and is being revamped as a Home Bargains store.
What do you think? Write to Kentish Express, Unit 4, Park Mall Shopping Centre Ashford, TN24 8RY or email kentishexpress@thekmgroup.co.uk