Poundland is to shut two more of its Kent stores – although another is to reopen following a sudden U-turn.
Bosses at the bargain retailer say their branch at Marshwood Retail Park in Canterbury will close on August 24.
The shop opened almost three years ago after replacing rivals Poundstretcher at the site off Sturry Road.
The British company has also confirmed its Rainham store will shut on the same day.
Poundland opened in the unit formerly occupied by Iceland in Rainham Shopping Precinct in December 2022.
The closures are two of the latest 12 stores which have today been earmarked to shut across the UK amid the company’s ongoing financial difficulties.
In total, 25 Poundland shops will cease trading in August under its restructuring and recovery plan designed to return the business to growth.
That plan, which launched in June, comes after what it described as an “extended period of under-performance”.
Poundland’s retail director, Darren MacDonald, said: “While our anticipated network of around 650-700 stores remains sizeable, it is of course, sincerely regrettable that we’re closing a number of stores to allow us to get us back on track.
“We entirely understand how disappointing it will be for customers when a store nearby closes, but we look forward to continuing to welcome them to one of our other locations.
“Work is underway too with colleagues through a formal consultation process in stores scheduled to close, exploring any suitable alternative roles.”
However, in a sudden twist, the former store in Canterbury’s St George’s Street will reopen next Friday (August 1).
.The branch – which only closed yesterday (Thursday) – will trade again in the city centre after bosses secured a new lease agreement.
Earlier this month, residents described the announcement about its initial closure as a “shame”.
However, the announcement comes just days after Poundland bosses confirmed its branch in Grosvenor Road, Tunbridge Wells will close on August 10.
The discount chain also shut its store in Broadstairs in June while also closing its Gravesend town centre store in early May.
Poundland has about 800 stores across the UK and Ireland.
But following its acquisition by Gordon Brothers in June, the retailer also announced plans to shut two of its UK warehouses alongside 68 stores after Pepco Group sold the discount chain for £1.
The court-sanctioned restructuring and recovery process which Poundland launched applies to creditors in the UK.
It does not cover Poundland’s store operations in the Republic of Ireland and Isle of Man, where it trades as Dealz.
