Poundland snaps up old Woolies
Poundland will open its new Cannock town centre store in the former Woolworths in late October.
Poundland will open its new Cannock town centre store in the former Woolworths in late October.
The bargain retailer has taken on the lease at the prime Market Place location replacing jobs lost when Woolies closed at the start of the year.
Recruiting will start two to three weeks before the opening date, which has yet to be finalised.
Forty five jobs were lost when Woolworths closed in January. Staff who have not yet found alternative employment are being encouraged to apply.
Poundland bosses say they are unable to confirm the number of new jobs being created or the split of full and part-time posts.
Spokeswoman Emma Broomhall said: "Ex-Woolworths staff will be interviewed like everyone else and if suitable will be offered a position.
"Cannock is a great town and we believe Poundland can help as many people as possible through the recession by offering quality items at an affordable price.
"Everything at Poundland is just £1, and to offer even more value there are always plenty of bargains to be had, including 3 for £1 and 'Buy One Get One Free'
"We look forward to greeting the Cannock shoppers when it opens in October."
Poundland also recently opened in Stafford's Guildhall Shopping Centre, creating 30 jobs and employing 13 former Woolies staff who lost their posts when the Gaolgate Street store closed.
Former Woolworths stores across Staffordshire are being snapped up by bargain retailers which are flourishing during the recession.
B &M Bargains is taking over the Lichfield shop in Market Street, which is currently being fitted out. An opening date is yet to be announced.
Leaseholders
And talks are ongoing with potential new leaseholders for the former Woolies in Market Street, Rugeley.
Various new businesses have been springing up in Cannock over recent weeks.
Jennings bookmakers in Market Place, Padma Lounge at High Green Court, Alexander James Property Services in Wolverhampton Road and Bentleys Furniture in North Street and Formal Elegance on Ringway, have all added vibrancy to the town.
It represents a turnaround for a town centre which has seen shops such as Woolworths, Walter Smith butchers, children's clothing store Adams, photographic shop Max Spielmann and Firkins bakery disappear since the credit crunch hit while Cannock Shopping Centre went into receivership.
Earlier this summer, the Express & star revealed more than one in every 10 businesses in the town centres of Cannock Chase are empty.
The worst affected is Hednesford which has more than one in every five business premises vacant.
