Poundland store set for historic centre

The chain, which sells everything for �1, hopes to move into part of the former Woolworths store in the town’s conservation area.

Mike Ames, chairman of Bury In Bloom, likened the store to a sea-side retailer.

“I see Poundland as a seaside resort promenade shop more than an historic store in Bury town centre,” he said. We have already got a discount store down there.

“It’s beginning to get a bit tacky.”

A spokeswoman for Poundland confirmed the chain had plans to move to the town, to open before the end of the summer.

The news comes amid speculation Bury’s Grade I listed Market Cross building, designed by architect Robert Adam in 1780, could soon become a bookmakers.

Campaigning resident Simon Harding said the move could be bad news for the town’s traders.

“Ever since Betfred was let a prime retail spot on the corner of Woolhall Street, the whole area has gone down market,” he said.

“In the long term, this could have a disastrous effect on the balance of retail trading in this area.”

But Alan Jary, vice chairman of the Bury Society, said it would be good to see the store open once again.

“I am delighted a national chain has seen fit to come into the town centre,” he said.

“It is good someone has got confidence in trade in the town.”

The news comes as supermarket giant Tesco confirmed it was opening an Express store at the back of the former Woolworths store, which has been divided into three smaller units on the ground floor.

The small convenience store, which will bring up to 30 new jobs to the area, will open in the autumn.

Steve Peters, Bury town centre manager, welcomed the news that businesses were coming back to the Woolworths site, which has stood vacant since it closed in January 2009.

“We are very pleased it is being put back into business,” he said.

“This is a major step forward to have the building back in use again.

“Hopefully, another unit in use will further encourage other businesses to come forward.”