High street bargain chain with 800 branches closes suddenly in town centre after it ‘didn’t pay its rent’
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A BARGAIN high street chain with 800 branches across the UK has been forced to close one down today. A Poundland in Bolton was seized by the council and a forfeiture notice was slapped on the shutters after allegations it didn't pay its rent. The store on Victoria Square owed a "longstanding amount" on its property, according to the council, but Poundland insists they had just paid it.
A spokesperson for Bolton Council said: “As landlords, the council has had no choice but to act in order to retrieve the longstanding amount due on a property that is, ultimately, owned by Bolton council tax payers. “The tenant operates successfully from a number of premises across the UK and we are confident that the non-payment is due to an administrative oversight.
“We aim to resolve the matter as quickly as possible so the shop can reopen in a matter of days.”. A spokesperson for Poundland said: "We were surprised by the council's action this morning - not least because we made a substantial rental payment recently and once negotiations for a new lease are concluded will believe we will in fact be in credit on our rental account.
"We will discuss the situation with the council today so we can re-open the store as soon as possible.". Bolton shoppers were not happy about the news, with one local commenting: "Can Bolton really afford to lose another store, also another building that will be turned into flats.