A Poundland in Nelson, which has only been open for six months, is set to close today (March 23).
Poundland, located at the former Wilko’s site at Pendle Rise shopping centre, opened at the end of September, 2023.
A spokesperson for Poundland said this is because it was “unable to agree on a long-term lease” to keep the store trading.
This is amid council plans to demolish Pendle Rise shopping centre, adding that it is "currently in negotiations to buy Pendle Rise shopping centre" amid plans to transform the town centre.
A council spokesperson said it is "sad to see Poundland leave Nelson town centre".
Poundland said it “expects to be able to find roles for [staff] at the store in nearby locations”.
A spokesperson for the discount store said it was “as disappointed as customers and colleagues” to be closing.
They said: “We’re aware of plans approved by Lancashire County Council to demolish Pendle Rise in Nelson where our store is located.
“Sadly, we’ve therefore been unable to agree a long-term lease that would allow us to keep the store trading.
“It goes without saying that we’re as disappointed as customers and colleagues are.
“Nevertheless, we expect to be able to find roles for all the colleagues at the store at nearby locations.”
In September 2023, plans to demolish the shopping centre were approved by Pendle Council.
Mike Nuttall, of PenBrook Developments Ltd, applied to Pendle Council in April to demolish Pendle Rise in Nelson and “create a new but sympathetic development that references and compliments the existing context and local area”.
The new development for retail use would also include access, car parking and landscaping and would “create a more appealing retail focal point along Leeds Road and from the adjacent public transport interchanges, with a high quality, active frontage, ultimately creating an enhanced welcoming gateway to the town centre”.
The new shopping spaces would measure roughly half the size of the current Pendle Rise retail spaces.
Phillip Spurr, Pendle Council’s director of place, said: “We’re sorry to see Poundland leave Nelson town centre.
“We’re currently in negotiations to buy Pendle Rise shopping centre which is a key part of our plans to transform the town centre through Nelson Town Deal.
“Our vision is to create a more vibrant town centre with a strong retail offer including improved parking, a range of food and drink options and pleasant areas to eat outside.
“We will be helping tenants to find new premises when work starts on the regeneration scheme.”
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