Discount retailer Poundland confirmed its store at Copdock Mill Interchange, Ipswich, in will close its doors forever on May 20. Shoppers in Suffolk's biggest town have headed to Facebook to express concern over the fate of the off as a result of the decision. A local wrote online, they hope workers "are able to find work quickly". Another shopper noted the lack of customers compared to the staff during their visits.

Poundland's owner, Pepco, this week, a decision that could threaten the future of all 825 UK high street stores and 16,000 employees.

A spokesperson for Poundland said: "Our Copdock Mill store will close on 20 May as we've been unable to agree terms that would allow us to keep trading there.

"We'd like to thank customers for their continued support - we look forward to welcoming them to our store at the Sailmakers centre in Ipswich."

The Poundland on the Brackla estate in Wales will close on May 24, and the store at Chiswick High Road, West London, will close on Wednesday, May 28.

A social media user lamented the broader trend of disappearing stores, suggesting an impending reality where "We will end up with no shops at all, they are killing off pensioners as well as ghost towns we will have all over."

A Poundland spokesperson said: "We operate from over 800 locations across the UK and Ireland, and with so many locations, we constantly review our store portfolio as leases expire or come up for renewal.

"We'd like to thank customers in Chiswick and look forward to welcoming them to our nearest store in Acton."

The news comes after the chain's like-for-like sales fell 7.3% in the months before December 2024.

Pepco said at the time: "Poundland is a strong brand that serves millions of customers every week.

"[They] had around two billion euros (£1.67 billion) in annual turnover in 2024, but are also operating in an increasingly challenging UK retail landscape that is only intensifying."