DISCOUNT retailer Poundland closes its doors for the last time in Chester-le-Street town centre today (March 15).
But shoppers have been assured the store remains open at Durham's Arnison Centre.
The Arnison Centre store posted on its Facebook page said: "If you haven’t heard yet , unfortunately the Poundland in Chester-le-Street town centre is permanently closing on 15th March.
"We will still be here though to provide you with everything you normally would get.
"Some of the team are moving here and to our city centre store. So you may see a familiar faces in unfamiliar surroundings."
Read more: Poundland announce when new Durham Arnison Centre store will open
The closure of the Chester-le-Street store has prompted fears it could have domino effect on other businesses.
North Durham MP Kevan Jones said he feared further store closures could follow.
He said: “This is bad news for Chester-le-street town centre, adding to the list of empty retail units.
“I have been calling for some time for a plan to provide more housing in the town centre to reverse the decline and make it attractive for smaller retailer."
He said: “Without this I fear further closures.’’ It is understood the firm has been unable to reach agreement to renew the lease on the Front Street building it currently uses.
A spokesman for Poundland said earlier this month: “We're as disappointed as our colleagues and customers to be closing our store in Front Street, Chester-le-Street.. Sadly, our lease has expired.
Read more: Poundland to close in Chester-le-Street town centre
“Where we close a store, it goes without saying we always work hard to look after colleagues directly affected."
Poundland was founded in 1990 in Burton-upon-Trent and started selling most items, including clearance stock and branded products, for £1.
Over the last three decades it has grown into a multi-million pound empire with stores across the UK and into Europe.
Last month it opened the biggest Poundland in the country at Teesside Park in the region.
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