‘Absolutely manic’ as major discount retailer with 450 locations launches sale at branch ahead of closure within weeks

SHOPPERS have been facing crowds after a major retailer launched a closing down sale at one of its branches.

Poundstretcher in Chesterfield is preparing to shut its doors for the final time on March 16 in a blow for locals.

And staff have launched a 50% off closing down sale, , with shoppers keen to snap up a bargain.

Posting online, one said: “It was absolutely manic,” while another added: “Never seen so many people in there.”

A third commented: “It was absolutely rammed,” and a fourth added: “Need to go and (get) some of those bags before it shuts.”

Others have been left devastated that the branch will be closing for good.

One said: “Joking! I only went in yesterday, some great bargains!”

Another commented: “Another one bites the dust.”

And a third cried: “OMG what else is closing there will be nothing left in town.”

It comes after Poundstretcher closed a number of stores last year in a blow for locals, though it still has around 450 locations.

The discount chain pulled down the shutters on branches in Kilmarnock, Scotland, Romford, Grimsby and Ebbw Vale, Wales.

Poundstretcher has been opening stores as well as closing them too.

In February last year, the retailer revealed plans to open 50 more stores before the close of 2023.

It is anticipating the new shops will generate 2,000 jobs over the next five years. The discount chain opened 30 locations in 2022.

According to its website, it now runs more than 450 across the UK.

The Sun approached Poundstretcher for comment.

Some retailers have closed a few branches here and there for various reasons, like when a store lease has come to an end.

Other examples of one-off rather than widespread closures is if there are changes in the area, like a shopping centre closing, and in some cases a shop will close to relocate to another area.

Some chains have faced tougher conditions though, forcing them to shut dozens of stores, or all of them in the worst case.

The Body Shop is shuttering 75 more branches after it fell into administration, after closing seven on February 20.

Both Wilko and Paperchase fell into administration last year as well, which saw thousands of jobs lost and branches shut down.

But it’s not all bad news for the high street.

Discount retailer B&M is set to open 10 more branches across March and April after it opened 17 in January and February.

Asda is massively expanding its portfolio of smaller Express stores too.

Plus, in February, Primark confirmed plans to open new branches and invest in and renovate more than a dozen of its existing shops.

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