Poundland owner ‘not acting in best interests’ of workers, says No10

Poundland owner Gordon Brothers is “not acting in the best interests” of the discount retailer’s staff and stores as it hurtles towards collapse, Downing Street has said. The Boston-based investment firm, which has faced intense criticism over its attempted sale of Poundland, must explain why it has rejected solvent offers to rescue the troubled retailer and its staff, No10 has warned. Downing Street’s intervention comes amid growing political pressure on Gordon Brothers, as figures from Labour and Reform UK have criticised the Poundland owner for putting the firm’s 12,000 jobs at risk. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said on Tuesday: “We continue to stay close to what’s an extremely worrying situation for Poundland staff, their families and communities. “Gordon Brothers need to explain why they haven’t accepted any offer to keep the company going. That’s the case. It appears they’re not acting in the best interests of their loyal UK staff and stores.” Business