POUNDLAND has temporarily closed 32 "non essential" stores, including Farnham, after trading today.

According to shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw, the discount retailer is asking employees to voluntarily agree to be furloughed.

Those that agree will receive 80 per cent of average earnings in line with the Government’s Jobs Retention Scheme.

Poundland have given these three reasons for the temporary closures:

* The store is located in a retail park or shopping centre instructed to close by a landlord / business requirement.

* There are a number of stores in the same area and closing will assist to streamline distribution operations.

* There are not enough colleagues available to staff the store.

It has not been confirmed which category the Farnham branch, which opened in the former Evitavonni/Woolworths premises in The Borough in 2014, falls into.

Dave Gill, Usdaw national officer, 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.”

It comes just days after Poundland managing director Barry Williams wrote to staff, informing them that only "essential stores" would likely remain open.

He said: "Yesterday we briefed colleagues that it was highly likely that only essential stores would be allowed to remain open and all other retailers would be asked to close.

"We were clear that we were being called to serve. They were being asked to volunteer to serve their neighbourhoods with the food and other essential items their communities needed.

"We know that seven million each week rely on us for those essentials.

"We know we’re in walking distance for most of them.

"We know we serve the customer that gets by on a week-to-week budget and can’t bulk-buy.

"I’m humbled that thousands of my Poundland colleagues have today answered that call.

"They’re proud to serve you, and I’m proud of them. You have my word that we will also look after them.

"We’re following distancing rules and hygiene demands and I ask that you also respect those requirements if you shop in our stores. Find out more here.

"We’ve developed a package of measures, including extra holiday, that will reward them for their service.

"Let me be clear though – the UK Prime Minister was crystal clear that people should not now leave home in all but the most limited of circumstances.

"So, if you don’t need essential supplies, don’t come to our stores.

"But if you do need us, we’ll be here for you.

"Because we are Proudland."

The Poundland stores impacted are: Nottingham - Chilwell RP, Pontefract, Rotherham - Parkgate RP, Kings Lynn - Vancouver SC, Meadowhall SC, Hammersmith - Kings Street, Farnham, Ilford - The Mall SC, Watford - 77 High Street, Whitehaven, Carlisle - Scotch Street, Wick RP, Gateshead Team Valley RP, York - Monks Cross RP, Barrow-in-Furness - Hindpool RP, Truro, Falmouth, Christchurch, Swansea - Fforestfach RP, Ebbw Vale FOC, Newport - Spytty RP, Droylsden, Ormskirk - Two Saints RP, Chester - Old Sealand RP, Sutton Coldfield, Oswestry, Selly Oak RP, Crewe, Yardley - Swan SC, Manchester Arndale SC, Walsall - Saddlers SC, Birmingham - Corporation Street (small).