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Poundland files notice to appoint administrators, 12,000 jobs at risk
Manchester Evening News and The Guardian report Poundland filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators, giving the UK discounter 10 days of creditor protection while a sale is sought.
Poundland has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators, a step that the Manchester Evening News said puts around 12,000 jobs at risk at the discount retailer1.
The chain operates about 600 stores in the United Kingdom, the Manchester Evening News reported, citing court documents filed Thursday1. The Guardian said the filing also covers operations in Ireland, including Dealz outlets, and that jobs at risk number up to 12,000 across the UK and Ireland2.
A notice of intention typically gives a company 10 working days of protection from creditors while it tries to arrange a rescue or sale1,2. The Guardian reported that Gordon Brothers is making the High Court filing and that advisory firm AlixPartners is lined up to run the process, with court approval expected Thursday2.
Gordon Brothers bought Poundland last year for £1, the Manchester Evening News said, and launched a sale process in September after a turnaround that included closing more than 100 shops1. The Guardian said the purchase was from Pepco in June 2025 and that Gordon Brothers took on about £30 million of debt2.
Both outlets said Gordon Brothers rejected an offer from Irish real-estate firm Martin Property Group, which Poundland management had identified as the preferred bidder for the whole business1,2. Managing director Barry Williams told staff in a memo that the situation was “unexpected, unwanted and wholly avoidable,” the Manchester Evening News reported1.
A Gordon Brothers spokesman said previously that attention must now turn to other active bids, including interest in the whole business and in significant parts of it, and that those options would be evaluated with a view to minimising uncertainty for staff and other stakeholders1.
The Manchester Evening News said CDS Superstores, owner of Wilko and The Range, Fortress, owner of Poundstretcher, and Modella, owner of TG Jones, are understood to be interested in buying parts of Poundland1. The Guardian separately reported interest from Poundstretcher, The Range and B&M in some stores2.
Whether a going-concern sale, a breakup or a formal administration follows the 10-day window was not settled in the reporting1,2.
Sources
How it’s being reported
2 sourcesFirst reported by 
The Guardian
Poundland files for administration putting 12,000 jobs at risk
The court filing and managing director Barry Williams telling staff the situation was unexpected.
Court documents show Poundland filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators, covering about 600 UK stores and 12,000 jobs.
Leaves out AlixPartners as proposed administrators and Ireland/Dealz detail.
The GuardianFirstPoundland on brink of administration, with 12,000 jobs at risk
Leads with a figure in the headline.
Where they agree
- Poundland is entering a notice-of-intention process that can lead to administration.
- About 12,000 jobs and around 600 stores are cited.
- Gordon Brothers rejected a Martin Property Group bid preferred by management.
- The filing buys about 10 days from creditors.
Where they differ
Geographic scope of jobs and stores