Poundland to take over old Marks and Spencer site in Accrington

Poundland and clothing brand Pep & Co will be moving in to The Original Factory Shop (TOFS) site, used by Marks and Spencer for decades, in Broadway, Accrington.

The discount store is closing today after being in the town for less than a year.

When the store opened in May last year it created nine jobs.

It was announced earlier this year that Pep and Co would be doubling its UK presence by opening 150 branches inside Poundland stores across the country.

A Poundland spokesman said: “We’re excited to be relocating to new premises in Accrington by the end of April, and thrilled this lets us bring the Britain’s fastest growing fashion brand Pep & Co to the new Poundland store, keeping fashion at the heart of The Broadway space.”

Cllr Munsif Dad, who represents the Accrington Town Team on Hyndburn Council, said it was good news that the prominent site will soon have new tenants.

He said: “I’m very happy to hear the space will be taken up so quickly.

“As disappointing as it was to hear TOFS would be closing, it’s pleasing to see people are keen to take up the unit and businesses want to come into the town.

“I’m pleased it won’t be left empty as we’ve seen that a happen a few times with units in the past and it gives a bad impression of the area.

“I wish them every success and hopefully they will be a great asset to the town.”

Staff at TOFS said the previous store was only intended to be a short-term site and redeployment of staff members at the closed store is their top priority.

M&S closed in March 2016 after 54 years of trading in the town.

Zain Kiyani, Accrington Arndale shopping centre manager, said the closing of TOFS was a loss to the town but he was looking to the future.

He said: “We would be more than happy to speak to TOFS and we will contact them to see how we can retain this business in Accrington.

“We welcome Poundland and Pep & Co coming in but, at the same time, we are expressing our sadness at losing a store like TOFS.”