Poundland has confirmed that it is in negotiations with potential buyers as the retailer pursues a rescue deal.
Executives at the chain are working on a management buyout alongside an Irish property development group, a plan first reported by Sky News.
Usdaw, the union that represents shopworkers, cautioned that the retailer could fall into administration should that deal collapse — an outcome it said would put thousands of jobs at risk and would be “a disaster for our members”.
Poundland runs roughly 600 shops across the UK and Ireland and employs 12,000 people.
The business has struggled for several years, weighed down by pressures that include climbing costs and competition.
Even so, the company expects sales to have grown by more than 3% in 2026 compared with the year before. Managing director Barry Williams said earlier this month that the figure was evidence its recovery plan “is working”.
Last summer the retailer changed hands for £1, when its previous owner Pepco sold it to the US investment firm Gordon Brothers.
A spokesman said the present owners are in the process of seeking buyers, with Poundland’s management attempting a buyout.
Mr Williams, the firm’s leadership team and Andy Bond, who currently chairs Pepco, have been working with the Irish real estate company Martin Property Group on that management buyout.
The spokesman described Martin Property Group as the management team’s “preferred partner”, adding that the team will “work with whoever can deliver the best result for the business, colleagues and suppliers and build on the successful recovery that’s already taking shape”.
Bally Auluk, a national officer at Usdaw, said there were “deep concerns that the business could go into administration” should the buyout not succeed.
“We are aware that a management buy-out has been attempted and we are told that their offers are being turned down,” he said.
A Poundland source disputed that account, however, saying Martin Property Group forms part of the sale process and remains the management team’s preferred partner.
Published 13 October 2026. Source: BBC Business.
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