DISCOUNT retailer Poundland has closed one of its Chester stores from today (March 31).

Responding to the impact of the coronavirus crisis, the chain has temporarily shut 32 stores across the UK – including the Greyhound Retail Park premises – and put staff on furlough.

Poundland, which still has a store open on Frodsham Street in the city centre, sells a range of goods including food, home goods, groceries, craft and stationery items and other products.

According to shopworkers' trade union Usdaw, Poundland say the closures are being attributed to three different reasons:

- The store being located in a retail park or centre which is being closed by the landlord, or due to a business requirement.

- There are a number of stores in the area and closing will help to streamline distribution.

- There are not enough colleagues to staff the store.

Usdaw National Officer Dave Gill said: "This is clearly a difficult time for shopworkers on the frontline of providing essential services during the coronavirus emergency.

"We understand why the company feel the need to temporarily streamline the number of outlets and we have emphasised the need for furloughed workers to be volunteers.

"Usdaw continues in negotiations with the company, where we are calling for Poundland to top up the Government scheme, so that our members have no loss of income."