Coronavirus in Scotland: Poundland reopens these five branches next week

High-street store Poundland has announced the reopening of five branches in Scotland next week, including a flagship branch on Edinburgh’s Princes Street, as lockdown restrictions ease.

Poundland stores in Scotland to come out of "hibernation" from next week.

Poundland put 44 of its stores into “hibernation” in January this year as the country was in the grips of a second lockdown.

Now, with restrictions on all retail lifting from 26 April, the discount retailer is ready to welcome back its customers to more of its stores.

The branches in Scotland coming out of hibernation are: Dumfries Loreburne Shopping Centre, Edinburgh Princes St, Falkirk Howgate Shopping Centre and Glasgow Trongate, along with the PEP&CO clothing store at Glenrothes Kingdom Shopping Centre.

Austin Cooke, of Poundland, said: “We can’t wait to re-open our hibernating Scottish stores. This is a real milestone for us, but also for the high streets and shopping centres in these areas where many of our neighbours will be opening for the first time in months.

“It means Poundland, and our colleagues, can get back to doing what we do best which is giving our customers amazing value. We can’t wait to open the doors and say welcome back.”

Poundland kept the majority of its stores open for essential shopping across the UK throughout the pandemic, but placed some in hibernation in January as customer numbers dropped sharply when nearby non-essential retailers closed.

From 26 April next week, all retail can reopen in Scotland as the country moves from Level 4 into Level 3.

Other industries including hospitality and leisure centres can reopen, but with Covid-19 rules in place to prevent further spread of the virus.

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