North Antrim MP concerned about future of Poundland stores in Ballymena and Ballymoney

The MP for North Antrim has appealed to the government to put pressure on the owners of Poundland to act to save the jobs of its 12,000 staff across the UK.

The US owners of Poundland Gordon Brothers, which bought the company last year for £1, filed a notice to appoint administrators last week.

North Antrim MP Jim Allister said: “The threat to Poundland is very concerning. Poundland is a key part of the retail offering in both Ballymena and Ballymoney, especially when many families are struggling to make ends meet."

placeholder image — North Antrim MP Jim Allister said: “The threat to Poundland is very concerning. Poundland is a key part of the retail offering in both Ballymena and Ballymoney, especially when many families are struggling to make ends meet."

UK Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds held crunch talks with Gordon Brothers about the future of the business, urging the investment firm to protect staff however possible.

North Antrim MP Jim Allister said: “The threat to Poundland is very concerning. Poundland is a key part of the retail offering in both Ballymena and Ballymoney, especially when many families are struggling to make ends meet.

“The owners of this apparently solvent company are reportedly rejecting purchase offers and wish to secure insolvency. I urge government to maximise the pressure on the company to act appropriately as 12,000 jobs across the UK are at stake.”