Union in plea to save Poundland from administration, with 12,000 jobs at risk

Owner Gordon Brothers files notice of intent to begin process after rejecting management-backed rescue bid

The shop workers’ union Usdaw has urged Poundland’s owners to reconsider a decision to prepare the budget chain for administration, putting up to 12,000 jobs at risk.

Gordon Brothers filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators to Poundland at the high court on Thursday, with the advisory firm AlixPartners lined up to run the process.

The legal measure protects Poundland from the demands of creditors for 10 days while a solution to its problems is sought.

Gordon Brothers previously rejected a management-backed rescue bid for the discount chain, which operates 600 stores, including Dealz outlets in Ireland.