Jobs fear at Poundworld

WIDNES workers are facing an uncertain future after it was announced on Monday that the value chain Poundworld has entered administration.

Talks with R Capital, a potential buyer, collapsed and around 5,100 jobs are now at risk, more than triple the 1,500 feared last month when the Weekly News reported that the company was looking to close 100 of its stores.

Experts said the discount chain has been hit by falling consumer confidence, rising overheads and the weaker pound.

Deloitte was appointed as administrator.

Clare Boardman, joint administrator at Deloitte, said: “The retail trading environment in the UK remains extremely challenging and Poundworld has been seeking to address this through a restructure of its business.

“Unfortunately this has not been possible.

“We believe a buyer can be found for the business or at least part of it and we are keeping staff appraised of developments.”

Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw said it will seek talks with the administrators appointed to oversee Poundworld.

Usdaw’s Dave Gill said: “Poundworld staff are deeply concerned about their jobs. We are seeking urgent talks with the administrators to represent the best interest of our members.”