Poundland is placing 44 UK stores into temporary hibernation - but don't worry, our Bedford stores are safe

Poundland is placing 44 of its UK stores into temporary hibernation from the end of trading on Saturday (January 9) as a result of the ongoing lockdown restrictions.

The budget retailer has said the move is to protect the business in the short-term and reflects the 80 per cent drop in footfall at shopping centres and high streets across the country.

But Poundland in Harpur Street, Howard Centre and the newly-opening store at the Interchange Retail Park are all staying open.

In the first 2020 lockdown last March, Poundland hibernated around 120 stores and was able to start reopening them from the end of May.

Hibernation allows the retailer to focus workers in a slightly smaller number of locations and provide a better service to communities in consolidated stores.