GILLINGHAM

Poundland confirms closure of store in Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre, Gillingham

26 October 2025In Gillingham3 Minutes
The Poundland store in Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre

Another Poundland store is set to close permanently in Medway.

The budget retailer has confirmed its branch in Hempstead Valley, Gillingham, will shut on Wednesday, 31 December.

Extensive clearance sales are now underway at the store, with various items marked down in price by 10 percent.

The 5,239 sq ft unit is located in "one of the busiest parts" of Hempstead Valley

Now, estate agent GCW is marketing the soon-to-be-empty unit in Hempstead Valley for a rent of £117,000 per year.

In the listing the 5,239 sq ft store is described as being “situated on one of the busiest parts of the centre.”

Despite dealing another blow to the shopping centre, several new brands have moved in over the past two years, including Specsavers, German Doner Kebab and McDonald‘s.

Home Bargains is due to open a major store on Saturday, 15 November, while the empty unit previously occupied by The Body Shop will soon be filled by a larger branch of The Perfume Shop.

Inside the Poundland store with an extensive clearance sale now underway

The latest closure comes just months after Poundland, which was founded in 1990, was saved from collapsing into administration.

Earlier in the year it was sold by Pepco Group to a subsidiary of a private equity firm for just £1.

As part of a £60 million rescue deal agreed in August, the retailer shuttered 68 of its 650-plus store estate across the UK.

This included two Kent stores located in Canterbury and Rainham.

A major new Home Bargains store is set to open on 15 November at the shopping centre

Poundland’s UK country manager, Darren MacDonald, said: “We know how disappointing it is when we leave a store, but before we close our doors for a final time, we’re determined to say goodbye by offering even more amazing value to customers.

“The special reductions, on top of the value we provide in every store, will help us leave locations we’re leaving with pride.

“And when we close our doors, we look forward to welcoming customers to one of the hundreds of Poundland stores we’ll continue to operate right across the UK.”

The remaining five Poundland stores in Medway will continue to trade as normal.

These are located in Chatham High Street, the Pentagon Centre, Gillingham High Street, Gillingham Retail Park, and Strood Retail Park.