Poundland has reassured shoppers that its stores remain open as normal, after Reform UK Crawley raised concerns about the retailer’s future and the town centre.

The discount chain filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators on October 29, as efforts continued to secure a rescue. The filing does not mean administrators have already been appointed.

In a Facebook post dated October 30, Reform UK Crawley said it had received concerns from shop owners about the town centre’s decline.

The group said: “After seeing signs of trouble at Poundland, we contacted them in September and were assured there were no plans to close their Crawley stores.

Poundland has reassured shoppers that its stores remain open as normal, after Reform UK Crawley raised concerns about the retailer’s future and the town centre. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

placeholder image — Poundland has reassured shoppers that its stores remain open as normal, after Reform UK Crawley raised concerns about the retailer’s future and the town centre. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

“We’ve since contacted them again for further information about any potential closures or job losses.”

Poundland has branches listed in Queens Square and Broadfield Barton in Crawley. Its response to Sussex World did not announce any Crawley closures.

A Poundland spokesperson said: “The sale process continues to be a matter for Poundland’s owner Gordon Brothers and their advisers.

“Even though this situation is not of Poundland’s making, we continue to work hard to support the best outcome for our colleagues and other partners.

“Furthermore, our stores remain open as normal.”

The retailer also highlighted improving trading, reporting unadjusted like-for-like sales growth of 3.3 per cent for the quarter ending September 27, 2026.

Growth was 6.4 per cent on an adjusted basis, accounting for restructuring changes including the removal of categories such as frozen food.

Poundland said unadjusted like-for-like sales rose by 6.7 per cent in September and 9.8 per cent in the first week of its new financial year.

In its trading release, managing director Barry Williams said: “We ended Q4 with significant momentum, returning to positive like-for-like growth and that momentum has only strengthened in the first week of the new financial year.

“Our recovery plan is working, thanks to our investment in simple low pricing and new ranges, powered by our new in-house teams.”

The concerns follow multiple Poundland closures reported across Sussex since August 2025, including branches in Horsham, Hailsham, Worthing and Brighton’s Western Road. Further closures were reported in Bexhill, Chichester, Haywards Heath and Langney in Eastbourne.

Insolvency expert Molly Monks, of Parker Walsh, said demand for bargains did not necessarily protect discount retailers from financial pressure.

She said: “Poundland’s situation highlights a difficult reality for discount retailers: being popular with cash-strapped shoppers does not automatically make a business financially viable.

“Customers may be trading down, but retailers still have to cover wages, rent, energy, distribution and supplier costs. If those costs rise faster than a business can generate sustainable margins, high sales volumes alone will not protect it.”

Ms Monks said any rescue needed funding and a realistic plan for the business’s future.

“The difference between rescuing a business and selling off its assets can be enormous for employees, suppliers and the communities that depend on its stores,” she said.

“A buyer taking on the business as a whole may be able to preserve more of its value, including jobs, supplier relationships and the brand itself.

“However, a rescue needs more than a new owner. It requires credible funding and a realistic plan to make the business sustainable.”